‘As a career changer without a 2:1, what are my chances of becoming a solicitor?’

It is not impossible but it won’t be easy and it might feel like a step backwards or at least sideways in your career. So you need to be certain that this is what you really want to do.

How strong are your pre-university academics, is there a good reason for the disappointing degree result, and what is the legal component of your post-university work? Do you have other legal work experience? Are there any law firms you are working alongside in your current role who might look at you favourably based on the work you have done with them?

You might be tempted to get some legal education – a masters, say – but that feels like a high risk / low reward approach.

I expect you would find it easier to go a “para” legal route – not necessarily working as a paralegal, but in a role with more of a legal slant, perhaps where you are already working as an employment adviser. At law firms, you’ll be up against people at or after university with actual or expected good results, and people leaving school starting as legal apprentices. So if you want to go that way, you’ll need to rely on your experience and skills to get an interview, and then persuade at interview.

Good luck.

Things going for you:

1. Career changer – means you have experience of another career – which might (depends on what you did) make you attractive to certain practices.

2. Your degree wasn’t in law – so it’s not a case that you did poorly in law.

3. You have experience of pseudo legal advice work. Again shows you have some idea of what you are getting into.

Things you need to overcome:

1. Academic grades. Firms use academics as filters. Your degree is evidence you can hack it academically. As well as top grades at A level, most law firms require a first or 2.1 at the least. Some firms who aren’t as bothered will consider a 2.2. But your grade is an ordinary, which is below a 3rd. You won’t get passed page 1 of most application forms on websites – unless you have some sort of mitigating extenuating reason. think about how you would answer the question, why should we take you over someone with a 2.1 or 1st?

2. Although no longer a requirement for the SQE, the GDL tends to require you to have a 2.2 in your first degree – otherwise you won’t qualify for this course – and without it, you’ll find it exceedingly difficult to pass the SQE. That’s before you even get to applying for firms.

3. There might be other non-SQE routes in – paralegalling, Legal Exec etc..

4. Law is a tough nut to crack even with good grades and academics and many will have at least a few months work experience too so your competitors will be a tough crowd.

Not saying you won’t be able to make it – persistence counts for a lot – but the odds are stacked against.. certainly for a large number of firms (the best biggest and most sought after).

All the best tho.

I would say if you want to be a lawyer, never lose the enthusiasm despite academic failures.
I knew of a woman who everyone had written her off, had a third class from second rate uni, qualified as a Solicitor, after two years at her west end law firm she was made redundant. She then went to Legal recruiters, who secured her an interview at Clifford Chance at 8am and by midday she had an offer! Her third class degree did not matter! They needed property lawyers… So, if the law is what you want…. persevere, never give up!

I am a career-changer with a fairly unimpressive degree, but I focused on securing high-distinction PGDL results and secured multiple training contract offers from London firms with zero legal work experience.

Your past academics do not define you, but as others have suggested, ensure you have reflected on what caused your degree result. The PGDL and SQE are academic undertakings, and knowing what you are signing up for is key. Also, remember that you don’t have to aim for MC or SC and can have a successful career as a lawyer at a range of firms.

As you haven’t got a law degree, you need to do the SQE and get two years of qualifying work experience so I’d say that unlike days past, you probably have a better chance of doing that even though you don’t have a 2:1 or higher. You can do the PGDL although there is no actual requirement for you to do so…
You could get a job as a paralegal so you can get your two years’ worth of QWE and then take the SQE. If you choose an area it’s typically hard to recruit for such as property or construction, I’d say your lack of a 2:1 will become quite irrelevant once you have the relevant experience and have passed your exams…
That said, when the employment market is awash with law graduates with 1sts who can’t even get a job as a paralegal, it’s a tough call.
You will help yourself no end by engaging with Firms and attending open days/ insight evenings, by the way. This will give you a chance to show who you are regardless of your academic record and a chance to know whether it really is the career change you actually want… I work for a reasonably sized regional law firm and we look at those who attend our open days over those who don’t when we recruit…

I distrust anyone who got a 2:1. The only classifications that matter are 2:2 and first class. 2:1 is average, vanilla, and associate-fodder material. Anyone who makes it in the profession with a 2:2 or lower is a fighter and has a bit of character. Of course, those with firsts have my total admiration. I mean, people with 2:1s actually boast about it…total lack of judgment.