• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • From AI to Energy Deals: Inside a Full-Service Law Firm with Osborne Clarke
    8 Dec 2025 · 6pm (UK) Zoom · Registration Required
    You want to write a strong Osborne Clarke application — but what really makes the firm different, and how do trainees experience the work day-to-day? In this session, you’ll hear directly from current trainees and Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan, so you can speak with clarity and specificity in your applications and interviews.
    Register →

Implication of A-Levels & Uni rank?

L3

New Member
Aug 25, 2024
2
0
Hi, I could do with some advice...

I achieved BCC (mitigating circumstances - parental death) in my A levels and attend a lower-middle ranked university. I averaged a first class in 2nd year and believe I will graduate with a first. My degree has an integrated placement year & I'm doing an internship with a large national firm in which I was selected out of a competitive 200 applicants. I also have law clinic volunteering experience.

However, being honest, am I likely to struggle when getting a training contract due to my mediocre A levels and university's rank? I'm aiming for firms like DLA Piper, Gowling etc. I suffered parental loss (via traumatic circumstances) & poor mental health as a result during my A levels - and I will add this as mitigating circumstances to my application, however are they really likely to consider me regardless of this?

Thank you for reading & I look forward to your input.
 

TCLA Community Assistant

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,526
21,763
No - you won’t struggle.

You mitigating circumstances are severe and will be taken into account by any firm worthwhile applying to.

Your subsequent grades and ability to secure a competitive placement year are going to be a much stronger indication of your potential too.
 

L3

New Member
Aug 25, 2024
2
0
No - you won’t struggle.

You mitigating circumstances are severe and will be taken into account by any firm worthwhile applying to.

Your subsequent grades and ability to secure a competitive placement year are going to be a much stronger indication of your potential too.
Hi,

Thanks a lot for this response - this is great to hear :)
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.