I am on course for a high 2:1 or 1st at a middle of the road “ex poly”. However, while searching through prospective employers I regularly come against the 300-360 UCAS points requirement of many law firms which I, like many other law students, do not satisfy. I have been accepted by a top university for its LLM program for 2009-10 (which will bridge the gap between my gap year and LPC). Would you say it is advisable to take an A level or two in order to up my employability in what is an extremely competitive training contract market?

The short is no. The firms you refer to that specify candidates must have 300+ UCAS points (A’s and B’s at A level) will tend to be the firms that have application forms requiring you to give the dates that you sat exams. Therefore It will be clear to them that you haven’t met the grade on this count. However, all is not lost.

Firstly, not all firms have this requirement. It is usually the larger City firms and some high-profile private client firms. But even among these firms you will find recruiters that do not automatically exclude candidates because of their UCAS scores. So do your research well.

If you want to apply to the firms that ask for the top A-level grades, speak to the firm directly, either at a law fair or by contacting their graduate recruitment department. As many of these firms will be receiving applications from second year law students, the A-level grades are important. However, if you are about to graduate and can assure them of your high 2:1 or 1st, they may be more flexible.

To encourage these firms to look at your application, you need to be a very strong candidate in other respects. You mention that you intend to do an LLM. While it is not a panacea, if you’re interested in the subject and would be doing the LLM anyway, you can use it to your advantage — if, for instance, you will be specialising in an area relevant to firms you’re applying to.

In addition to the LLM, try to get some good work experience; participate in the student societies; try to network and develop some contacts within the profession; and show your commercial awareness, even if this means working for a year or so before going on to the LPC. In this way you will be able to present yourself as a very strong candidate and it will be in the firms’ interest to re-evaluate the necessity of you having 300 UCAS points on your form.

If you have a question about your career in the law, e-mail law@timesonline.co.uk

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