Firms with no minimum alevel requirements

[magicmide]

a list of leading law firms that apparently do not have minimum A-Level requirements:
Ashurt
arnold& porter
Baker mckenzie
BCLP
Clifford Chance
Freshfields
HSF
Macfarlanes
Womble
Gowling
PwC
Reed Smith
Browne Jacobson
Bird & Bird
Skadden
Sullivan & Cromwell
Milbank
Akin Gump
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Hope this is useful. Can people comment which firms that dont look/care about alevels

 

[AvniD]

a list of leading law firms that apparently do not have minimum A-Level requirements:
Ashurt
arnold& porter
Baker mckenzie
BCLP
Clifford Chance
Freshfields
HSF
Macfarlanes
Womble
Gowling
PwC
Reed Smith
Browne Jacobson
Bird & Bird
Skadden
Sullivan & Cromwell
Milbank
Akin Gump
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Hope this is useful. Can people comment which firms that dont look/care about alevels

Hi @magicmide, wow! Your initiative to not only make this list but also share it with the wider community is incredibly commendable 👏👏👏

What stage of the application process are you at currently? And how did you find time to make this list!? I wish I was this resourceful when I was applying 😅

 

[RoughWood]

Just to add to this these firms that dont have academic requirements at all:
Bevan Brittan - If no 2:1 degree then 3 years of commercial experience
BLM
Browne Jacobson
DLA Piper
Irwin Mitchell
Lewis Silkin
Osborne Clark

 

[goatenthusiast12]

Does 'no minimum Alevel requirement' mean that they wont take A-level grades into account at all? Because many firms such as Herbert Smith and Ropes and Gray state that they have no minimum A-level requirement but while applying there's a section where its mandatory to mention A-level grades. Is it there just for formality or by 'no minimum A-level requirement' do they mean that they do look at A-level grades but there's no minimum requirement for it? Thank you in advance.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does 'no minimum Alevel requirement' mean that they wont take A-level grades into account at all? Because many firms such as Herbert Smith and Ropes and Gray state that they have no minimum A-level requirement but while applying there's a section where its mandatory to mention A-level grades. Is it there just for formality or by 'no minimum A-level requirement' do they mean that they do look at A-level grades but there's no minimum requirement for it? Thank you in advance.

They will still consider A-level results and look at them alongside the rest of your application and academics (how much weighting they put on these grades is difficult to say), but it just means you can apply no matter what your A-level grades are.

Firms with a minimum A-level requirement will not even consider applicants who don’t meet that basic criteria.

 

[thelastshah]

Would firms that have minimum A-level requirements automatically reject international applicants who have not completed their A-levels? @Jessica Booker

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Would firms that have minimum A-level requirements automatically reject international applicants who have not completed their A-levels? @Jessica Booker

No - they would use an approximate calculation to work out the comparative grades. Lots of U.K. students don’t have A-levels (IB, Scottish Highers), and so it’s just a case of finding a comparison/equivalent to their minimum A-level criteria.

 

[goatenthusiast12]

They will still consider A-level results and look at them alongside the rest of your application and academics (how much weighting they put on these grades is difficult to say), but it just means you can apply no matter what your A-level grades are.

Firms with a minimum A-level requirement will not even consider applicants who don’t meet that basic criteria.

I have BCC as my final A-level grades. I was thinking of resitting for at least 1 or 2 of the subjects but I don't think I'll have the time to do it due to my other responsibilities at university and at home. I'm studying at a non RG university so I'm already at a disadvantage here. I did get 2 A*s in my AS level though, but I don't think they'll do much for me unless I'm wrong.

I don't think this can be counted as a mitigating circumstance but my AS grades did not form a part of my A2 grades due to the whole covid situation. AS grades were given by schools since covid was at its peak and examination centres were closed. Whereas my A2 were graded by British Council (I don't live in the UK) and therefore my AS grades were discarded entirely.
Would it be appropriate for me to mention this in my application?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have BCC as my final A-level grades. I was thinking of resitting for at least 1 or 2 of the subjects but I don't think I'll have the time to do it due to my other responsibilities at university and at home. I'm studying at a non RG university so I'm already at a disadvantage here. I did get 2 A*s in my AS level though, but I don't think they'll do much for me unless I'm wrong.

I don't think this can be counted as a mitigating circumstance but my AS grades did not form a part of my A2 grades due to the whole covid situation. AS grades were given by schools since covid was at its peak and examination centres were closed. Whereas my A2 were graded by British Council (I don't live in the UK) and therefore my AS grades were discarded entirely.
Would it be appropriate for me to mention this in my application?

I don’t think it’s worthwhile resitting in all honesty.

Most firms will only consider three A-levels sat in the same year (as a matter of fairness given the complexity of studying three subjects at a time).

They will pick up you studied during Covid and that therefore there are some mitigating circumstances as such, but the way the courses are graded would not be considered mitigating circumstances.

 

[goatenthusiast12]

I don’t think it’s worthwhile resitting in all honesty.

Most firms will only consider three A-levels sat in the same year (as a matter of fairness given the complexity of studying three subjects at a time).

They will pick up you studied during Covid and that therefore there are some mitigating circumstances as such, but the way the courses are graded would not be considered mitigating circumstances.

Thank you for clearing my doubts. Fingers crossed that they'd look past my A-level grades 😬 they're not the absolute worst but they're nowhere close to the best either, will be even more tough given how competitive TCs and vacation schemes are.

 

[Aspiringlawyer792]

Hi, is anyone in my position or can you direct me to the best option? I was a covid student so my A-level grades were cancelled so when I got BCC I was just happy with not sitting the exam not realising the impact it could make in the future. Then I went to uni to do LLB Law and really struggled with family issues in 2nd year and landed with a 57% 2:2. I got a first-class in my dissertation and I would really love to aspire to a career as a corporate solicitor. Any tips or advice on what I can do to stand out in applications, which firms I should consider applying and anyone in a similar position?

 

[Mervat]

I don’t think it’s worthwhile resitting in all honesty.

Most firms will only consider three A-levels sat in the same year (as a matter of fairness given the complexity of studying three subjects at a time).

They will pick up you studied during Covid and that therefore there are some mitigating circumstances as such, but the way the courses are graded would not be considered mitigating circumstances

Hello!
Tbh this is scaring me now. I’m an international student but I did IGs and A-Levels. I wish to apply to law firms in the UK once I’m done with my bachelors here in my country and hopefully masters . However my A-level results are not even close to my predicted a level grade given from my teachers and I was obviously thinking of resetting but I’m not sure if it’s pointless given that some firms look at exams you’ve done in the same year.


**** P.S- I ended secondary school in y12 which means I didn’t do the other two exams of my chosen AS subjects in y13 (this is very common in the Middle East as majority of universities accept that you don’t need to continue y13). My subjects were History, Psychology and Business.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello!
Tbh this is scaring me now. I’m an international student but I did IGs and A-Levels. I wish to apply to law firms in the UK once I’m done with my bachelors here in my country and hopefully masters . However my A-level results are not even close to my predicted a level grade given from my teachers and I was obviously thinking of resetting but I’m not sure if it’s pointless given that some firms look at exams you’ve done in the same year.


**** P.S- I ended secondary school in y12 which means I didn’t do the other two exams of my chosen AS subjects in y13 (this is very common in the Middle East as majority of universities accept that you don’t need to continue y13). My subjects were History, Psychology and Business.

Many firms do not have minimum A-level grades these days. For those that do, you can explain you went to university based on year 12 grades and can explain this is common in your home country.

You can take your A-levels if you want to (it sounds like you wouldn't be resitting them, but sitting them for the first time based on what you have said above). and if that is the case, that is different because you are taking the assessments for the qualification for the first time.

 

[Mervat]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it 🙏🙏

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So do you think one should apply if they don't meet the Alevel minimum requirement

I think you have to weigh up the individual circumstances.

Firstly, does the firm use contextualised recruitment process and would you be flagged under it? If so, if you are slightly under the requirement it can be worthwhile applying.

Also look at the language the firm uses to determine their requirements. “candidates must have achieved” is very different to “candidates should have obtained” or “we typically look for candidates who have obtained”.

 

[mrsparker23]

Hi, is anyone in my position or can you direct me to the best option? I was a covid student so my A-level grades were cancelled so when I got BCC I was just happy with not sitting the exam not realising the impact it could make in the future. Then I went to uni to do LLB Law and really struggled with family issues in 2nd year and landed with a 57% 2:2. I got a first-class in my dissertation and I would really love to aspire to a career as a corporate solicitor. Any tips or advice on what I can do to stand out in applications, which firms I should consider applying and anyone in a similar position?

Hey, have you applied for any training contracts and if you don’t mind me asking what was your final grade as I’m in a similar position to you now

 

[noahsmiit01]

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock ,
Hi guys, could you please bring this chat up? I have a quick question about A levels. I’m applying to a law firm that states it has no minimum A-level requirements (for context, my grades were AAA). What’s worrying me is that I don’t have the actual certificates anymore, as they were originally sent to my old school email, which I lost access to years ago.
Would firms that have no A-level requirements still ask for the official A-level or GCSE certificates, or is that usually not an issue? I know that all firms with A-Level requirements require them to confirm a place on the VS or TC, but I'm unsure about firms that don't have any requirements for this.

As you have all secured your TCs and completed your Vac Schemes, surely you'd know how this works.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock ,
Hi guys, could you please bring this chat up? I have a quick question about A levels. I’m applying to a law firm that states it has no minimum A-level requirements (for context, my grades were AAA). What’s worrying me is that I don’t have the actual certificates anymore, as they were originally sent to my old school email, which I lost access to years ago.
Would firms that have no A-level requirements still ask for the official A-level or GCSE certificates, or is that usually not an issue? I know that all firms with A-Level requirements require them to confirm a place on the VS or TC, but I'm unsure about firms that don't have any requirements for this.

As you have all secured your TCs and completed your Vac Schemes, surely you'd know how this works.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Hello!

That’s a really great question, and was actually something that I panicked about last cycle! When I completed my spring VS, the firm asked for me to bring my A-Level and GCSE certificates on my first day and I didn’t have them anywhere as they had been lost during COVID. The firm stated that it would be fine for me to bring a transcript of my grades, which I managed to get from my old school / college over email. In the end, they didn’t even end up asking for them!

I’d say that this is going to be very firm dependant. In my experience, I haven’t had to provide my A-Level certificates for any of my 3 VS (which had A-Level requirements) or my TC (no A-Level requirements).

However, there are likely to be firms that do need to see your certificates, potentially even if they don’t have minimum grade requirements (although I can’t say for certain). I think the best approach would be to email the graduate recruitment team to either confirm their stance, or request that you can bring another form of evidence instead (i.e. a transcript). There is the option to order the certificates from the exam board but personally for me, this wasn’t really a viable option due to financial restraints (as it can get quite expensive!) and I think firms are generally understanding of this.

Apologies for not being able to provide a definitive answer, but I hope that helps!

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

The actual

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock ,
Hi guys, could you please bring this chat up? I have a quick question about A levels. I’m applying to a law firm that states it has no minimum A-level requirements (for context, my grades were AAA). What’s worrying me is that I don’t have the actual certificates anymore, as they were originally sent to my old school email, which I lost access to years ago.
Would firms that have no A-level requirements still ask for the official A-level or GCSE certificates, or is that usually not an issue? I know that all firms with A-Level requirements require them to confirm a place on the VS or TC, but I'm unsure about firms that don't have any requirements for this.

As you have all secured your TCs and completed your Vac Schemes, surely you'd know how this works.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

The actual certificates won't have been emailed anywhere as they are physical hard copies.

Your school would have received them and you would have collected them or they would have posted them to you. I would check whether your school are maybe still holding them if they didn't have an address for you.

If they are missing I would apply to the exam boards now so you can get the copies you need now (they do charge) so you have then to hand when they are requested. I would not have been allowed in to my vac scheme which led to a TC without mine.

 

[noahsmiit01]

The actual

The actual certificates won't have been emailed anywhere as they are physical hard copies.

Your school would have received them and you would have collected them or they would have posted them to you. I would check whether your school are maybe still holding them if they didn't have an address for you.

If they are missing I would apply to the exam boards now so you can get the copies you need now (they do charge) so you have then to hand when they are requested. I would not have been allowed in to my vac scheme which led to a TC without mine.

Will try to email Edexcel, thank you. Which firms were you not allowed, if you don't mind me asking?