• 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 →

transferring university after first year

Freshcutgrass

Star Member
Premium Member
May 8, 2023
26
55
When I started my law degree I was studying at a good RG law school however I didn’t enjoy the culture of the university so I moved at the end of first year to a different RG university in Scotland which has a four year law course. I was wondering whether the fact that I moved law schools will disadvantage me in applying to law firms as my first year grades will be from a different university.
 
Last edited:

TCLA Community Assistant

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,526
21,764
When I started my law degree I was studying at a good RG law school however I didn’t enjoy the culture of the university so I moved at the end of first year to a different RG university in Scotland which has a four year law course. I was wondering whether the fact that I moved law schools will disadvantage me in applying to law firms as my first year grades will be from a different university.

For reference my grades in first year were a 64% average with a 2:1 in all modules.

My second year average is about the same however is got a 59% in land law with mitigating circumstances.

I’m predicted to get a first at the end of third year and I hope to get a first at the end of my fourth year too.

Will my 2:2 in one module in tandem with the fact that I moved university part way through my degree disadvantage me in applying to MC/US law firms.
Moving university will not disadvantage you. You will need to most likely explain the move, especially if you were moving out of English law (most likely given a Scottish uni) - well assuming you are applying to English based VS/TCs anyway. I would tackle that in applications and prepare to be asked about it in interview.

The one 2.2 is not going to be an issue especially given its very marginal and there are mitigating circumstances.
 

TCLA Community Assistant

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,526
21,764
It isn’t a problem moving universities - many people do it each year, so I don’t think you need an explanation as such. If you just felt you were better suited to a different environment, that is fine to say that.
 

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.