What percentage of law students get a first class degree?

Jul 10, 2024

Written By Emily Hindle

High academic performance in law careers is essential. Grades often play a crucial role in securing internships, training contracts, or pupillages, as well as in gaining admission to prestigious postgraduate programs or legal roles. Achieving a first-class law degree indicates exceptional academic ability and can set candidates apart from their peers in competitive job markets. This article delves into statistics on first-class degrees in law, factors influencing attainment, variations among law schools, implications for students and graduates, challenges, considerations, and available support resources.

Understanding First-Class Degrees in Law

Within UK universities, a first-class degree typically indicates that a student has achieved the highest level of academic performance with outstanding grades across modules and assessments.

The grading system commonly used in UK universities typically ranges from first-class honours (1st) to third-class honours (3rd), with variations depending on the institution.

The criteria used by universities to determine first-class degrees include achieving high marks in coursework, exams, dissertations, and other assessments, as well as demonstrating exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and research skills.

Statistics on First-Class Degrees in Law

Only 22.6% of law students graduate with first-class degrees, nationally. At the UK’s leading institution for law in the UK, University College London, this increases to 26%.

Law is one of the UK’s most popular degrees. With only 22.6% of students receiving firsts, it sits alongside Business Studies degree students with a similar attainability percentage of 23.5%. However, in degrees such as Computing, far more graduates, 42.6% in fact, receive first-class degrees.

In recent years, however, the number of first-class degrees in law being rewarded has steadily increased. This may be due to factors such as changes in academic standards, teaching methodologies, and student demographics.

Factors Influencing First-Class Degree Attainment

There are, of course, certain factors that may influence your likelihood of achieving a first-class degree, such as personal academic ability and prior qualifications.

The university’s reputation and teaching quality may also have an impact. Embarking on your degree at a reputable institution is essential. This will ensure the quality of teaching, and resources in facilitating academic success.

Factors such as socioeconomic background, ethnicity, or gender may additionally influence students' access to resources and support systems.

Academic support services, mentoring programs, and extracurricular opportunities are also extremely important in fostering student success.

It is also important to learn effective study techniques, time management, and organisational skills in managing coursework and preparing for assessments to bolster your chances of securing a First.

Variation Among Law Schools

The prevalence of first-class degrees may vary between institutions due to differences in academic standards, grading policies, teaching approaches, and student demographics.

Some factors that may contribute to differences in the percentage of first-class degrees awarded among law schools include the level of challenge and academic standards set by each institution, which may influence students' performance.

Certain variations in grading criteria, assessment methods, and degree classifications adopted by different universities are also some key factors.

The composition of student bodies, including factors such as prior academic attainment, socioeconomic background, or diversity, may also impact academic outcomes.

Faculty expertise, teaching methodologies, and available resources are also key in supporting students' academic development and success.

Implications for Law Students and Graduates

There are many potential benefits to obtaining a first-class law degree, including enhanced employability and career prospects. First-class degrees can signal to employers a candidate's high level of academic achievement, intellectual ability, and commitment to excellence.

First-class degrees can open doors to prestigious postgraduate programs, research opportunities, or specialised legal roles. In turn, the prestige associated with achieving a first-class law degree gives graduates the opportunity to gain recognition and respect from peers, employers, and professional networks.

There may be some potential drawbacks to focusing solely on academic achievement, however. While first-class degrees can be valuable indicators of academic excellence, they may not necessarily guarantee success in the legal profession, so be sure to bare this in mind.

It is also extremely important to complement academic achievements with practical skills, professional experience, and personal attributes such as resilience, adaptability, and interpersonal skills.

Challenges and Considerations

The pressure to excel academically comes with certain challenges, such as balancing academic studies with extracurricular activities or part-time work. Managing coursework, exams, and other academic commitments alongside involvement in extracurricular activities, internships, or employment is extremely demanding.

Support and Resources Available

Universities have various support services, facilities, and resources to assist students in achieving their academic goals.

These include academic tutoring, study skills workshops, and one-on-one consultations with academic advisors or faculty members to provide guidance and assistance with coursework, exam preparation, and study strategies.

Study groups also provide opportunities for students to collaborate with peers, participate in study groups, or seek mentorship from more experienced students to enhance their learning and academic performance.

Counselling and mental health services are also aimed at supporting students' emotional well-being, managing stress, and promoting a positive learning environment.

Lastly, career guidance and employability workshops can help students explore career options, develop professional skills, and prepare for the transition from university to employment, including career advice, mock interviews, and networking events.

Conclusion

To summarise, the prevalence of first-class degrees in law is affected by factors influencing attainment, variations among law schools, implications for students and graduates, challenges, considerations, and available support resources.

Students must understand the complexities of academic achievement in law studies, considering various factors that contribute to academic success, including personal attributes, institutional factors, and support systems, and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to academic and personal development.

You should always strive for excellence but don’t lose sight of the value of personal growth, resilience, and well-being. After all, achieving academic success is not solely about obtaining top grades but also about personal growth, resilience, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance!

Stress, anxiety, or burnout can all impact students' academic performance and overall well-being. It is therefore essential that students seek support and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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