Hey,

Previous discussion
I am an A-Level Law student from Brickfields Asia College who is currently studying their "Express Course", in other words, i am currently studying 2 A-Level subject (Law & Economics) only.
In the process of researching the entry requirements of the top universities in UK, I have several question to ask:

1. is it possible to be accepted by the top university even though their requirement subject is 3 subjects and above?
2. Are there any top universities which accepted students who only studied 2 A-levels subject?
3. Should I join Brickfields Asia College UKT program?


Current discussion
Considering the UKT program offer by BAC or Taylor, any comments on the University of Leeds or Queen university, Belfast?

Thanks

This post has been edited by Unknown_X: May 16 2017, 07:21 PM

I assume you're referring to unis like Oxbridge, ucl, lse, etc.


1. It is definitely possible, provided you're exceptional. Eg you won some international level English writing competition, founded a NGO, etc. Otherwise, its impossible. Do realize that these unis have no shortage of applicants with 4A* and above, so why should they take an applicant with 2A*?

2. Definitely got, refer to point 1. But definitely very very rare.

When I was doing my A Levels, I remember the person in charge of our UCAS application told that when it comes to Law degree, universities prefer candidates to not have Law as part of their A Level subject.

If you're thinking of pursuing law, I would recommend you to take English Literature. They love candidates who did E-Lit during A Levels simply as it is a very difficult subject to master. Thus, if you're thinking of going into Oxbridge, LSE etc you'll have a greater chance if you do E-Lit. Bear in mind, E-Lit is indeed a very challenging subject and you'll need a great tutor.

As someone have mentioned above, there is no shortage of applicants with great results. Honestly, it is unheard for someone to be admitted into top universities with only 2 A- Levels. You will need a minimum of 3 A- Levels. Even then, it is extremely competitive.

It is not impossible to get into those universities provided you have a good personal statement and great results with 3 A- Levels.

I have plenty of friends who went to Imperial, LSE, Warwick, Oxbridge etc. I went to KYUEM so I speak based on my personal experience.

An increasing proportion of students are taking 4 a levels.

Even though the stated entry requirement is 3 A levels, I am sure the more competitive courses may look upon 4 A levels more favourably, especially when deciding between candidates with similar qualities and personal statements.

I speak from my experience as someone who applied for law back then, but turned down my offers (including oxford) due to funding. Though I have to say, that was probably a good thing as I quite enjoy what I am doing now.

This post has been edited by Kcdw96: Apr 28 2017, 11:49 AM

1. Possible and feasible are 2 separate things bear in mind. Possible? Yes, provided you have other factors to compensate for it, but extremely unlikely. Even if you were an outstanding candidate, they'd probably ask why you took only 2 A - Levels (and I honestly can't think of a good answer to that for you)

2. Honestly never met one.

Not only are you doing only 2 A-Levels, but Law is also not considered a traditional subject, which some of the top unis would discourage. You're shooting yourself in the foot from the starting line if a top uni is your ambition.

I see.

I am currently considering King's College London and heard that there were other ways to go in, instead of just relying on my 2 A-levels subjects.

Is the true?

Not too sure of what way are you referring to but you can if you opt for their foundation programme. It gives you a direct entry provided that you meet the grades.

If you're really keen on Kings, I'd suggest you to opt for their foundation. Only a year programme compared to A-Levels. You will have to do the programme in the UK though.

Even if that's the case, why are you bending backwards to achieve this? A more direct route would be to take 4A levels like everyone else...

dear unknown_x, if you're looking to get into a top law school, then you MUST be doing your pre-u properly, not taking these "express" courses

Hey,

Considering the situation I am facing right now, I am considering the UKT program (UK Transfer Program), any thoughts on which university should I select?

I am thinking of University of Leeds but BAC doesn't have any partnership with them, so I might consider transferring to Taylor or Help to complete my 2 years LLB.

Any thoughts?

Law is a soft subject in a levels...avoid if aiming for top unis....

In any case, what's with the wanting to go to top unis and then taking short cuts and looking for other jalans?....

You think this is Msia ipts where money will buy you anything?....

hey, I appreciate that your acknowledgement of me finding short cuts to go for top uni. On the other hand, It will be even better if u can provide me useful advice and respect my decision.

thanks

Useful advice?....no short cuts into top reputable unis, avoid soft subjects....

Respect?....needs to be earned, not demanded....

Why so defensive lol.

Bottom line, there are no useful advice for your situation, other than doing a proper pre u.

Put it this way, there are hundreds or even thousands of qualified applicants for a good law school, why should they go out of their way and pick someone who does not fulfil the bare entry requirements?

Hey, I think I stated in here that I am also considering the UKT program after some discussion wif others as I knew that I did not fulfil the bare entry requirements.
So currently, I am considering the UKT program either to University of Leeds or Queen university, Belfast. Any comments for those university?

A simple advice can be a useful advice, as I haven't complete my law degree, so I would really appreciate all of the comments. Besides that, I am really open to accept all suggestion discussed in here. Anyway thanks for spending your time here. Look forward to your comments on the university stated above.

Most university need 2 principle passes, and normally 3 subjects is minimum for all UK Sixth Form students.
Is better to take one more subject like English/Econs/Biz Studies just to be safe side
If you don't plan to study Law anymore.

Hi, Unknown X.
1) definitely no. it's too competitive, as mentioned in other comments, 2 vs 4 subjects.
2) no.
3) it depends on what you want

I've quite a few friends which are currently in the UK through the BAC UKT program (for both business and law). I'm currently in the UK as well through UKT business. If you can give more details about why do you want to come to the UK I can help a little more.

If you really really want to enter top uni, I would suggest you to redo your a levels.

add: from experience, BAC is shit.

This post has been edited by eddydo: May 9 2017, 01:45 PM

Hey, currently I am leaning towards the UKT program either to Queen university, Belfast or University of Leeds. Unfortunately BAC did not offered to Leeds, so I might consider transferring to Taylors after completing my A-levels. Any thoughts on the two university I mentioned.

How was ur UKT program?

Yeah, BAC is a commercialise college which offer poor lecture, facilities and programs.

Thanks

Lol tbh, the uni you attend won't make a difference. In the eyes of an employer, unless you are from somewhere like oxbridge, a UK law degree is a UK law degree, be it from LSE, Queens or Cardiff.

It all just boils down to your english (there are law students who have atrocious english), soft skills and critical thinking. Most law graduates nowadays are lacking in at least one of these aspects.

A UK degree isn't as prestigious as it used to be. Reason being, they are admitting people who just meet the bare entry requirements as they want their fees.


If you are open to studying locally, I would definitely recommend doing STPM, and trying for IPTA law programs, or doing MMU foundation and aiming for MMU Law. Exemption from CLP (a lot of foreign law grads are struggling to pass), and easier to build connections with local law firms for chambering or internships. Quite a lot of foreign law grads are finding it hard to get a chambering/pupilage post after they grad, and they end up doing something unrelated to law and end up not being called to the bar after years of studying law, which imo, is quite a waste.

Granted, there are foreign law graduates who make it. But an increasing proportion aren't, and studying law, or basically anything, in UK is a huge investment. A foreign law degree (unless its from oxbridge), doesn't really improve your chances of landing a job in a top law firm compared to local grads, and some of the smaller firms may be hesitant to take in a foreign grad as foreign grads usually have higher expectations.



Source: I applied for law school not too long ago and was thinking about a career in law, and what I have written is based on what I researched or seen.

This post has been edited by Kcdw96: May 10 2017, 02:27 PM

Thanks for ur info.
I am thinking of further developing my career in UK in the future, so I think that having a UK degree will grant more advantage compare to others.

For your info, its virtually impossible to practice law in UK .....for us malaysian

everyone is getting a law degree from the UK and most of them dont get to find a job there. You might as well just do the london external paper in malaysia and save on $$

I'm not a lawyer but some advice from someone who started his career in the UK (in finance) and then coming back to Malaysia after losing his job and not being able to find a new one.

1. Law is an extremely popular course and getting into a top university is even more competitive. The Russell Group universities ask for AAA nowadays and even having AAA is not going to guarantee you entry into a top law programme. I've interviewed students before and I've never had a student come to interview with two A Levels, but I know the first thing most interviewers would ask is, "Why only two A Levels?" Unless you have very strong extenuating circumstances for two A Levels, this will work against you.

2. It's not too difficult to do the Bar Vocational Course (if you want to be a barrister) nowadays. If, however, you want to continue your career in the UK, securing a pupillage is very hard. Most chambers will not even consider your application because of the hassle, i.e. they will need to justify to the Home Office why they are taking you and not a UK citizen. I should remind you that the UK voted to leave the EU so let's just say bringing in foreigners is not exactly a huge priority for the UK right now.

Having said all this, you can do it with only two A Levels but there are huge obstacles to success. If you really want to succeed in your effort, why hamper yourself at this early stage? I'd suggest taking at least one more A Level subject, making sure you get good grades in every subject you take, and if you can secure at least AAA, you at least have a better shot at making it. Keep in mind that, even if you this, it will still be very hard.

I've only known two people who secured pupillages and made their career in law in the UK. One got married to a national and became a UK citizen very early on so that doesn't count. The other was an extremely impressive Malaysian candidate who had already won international writing prizes, participated in the SEA games, had teaching diplomas in two musical instruments, and received 5 As at A Level, before going on to get a high First Class degree from Cambridge.

That's the kind of competition you'll be up against.

Thats near impossible nowadays, due to the protectionist measures employed by the british govt to keep local unemployment levels low. Or else, firms will be rushing to hire foreigners as most are willing to work more for less. Basically, for a firm to hire a foreigner, they must convince the home office that there are no suitable locals to take up the job, which is quite hard given that there isnt a shortage of locals studying law in the first place. Also, unless you are really exceptional, i dont think the firms will undertake the hassle to actually justify your employment.


With brexit, the people are telling the govt to cut down on immigrant workers,. Expect regulations for foreign workers to be tightened further.


After all, there are thousands of foreign law grads there studying with the exact same intention of staying behind, most wont make it and will be forced to return home. What makes you think you will make it?


Most of these foreign law grads who are forced to come back are from countries like singapore, korea etc, with impeccable english and social skills. It would be hard to compete with them, and yet, most are forced to return. It would be unrealistic to think you or i stand a chance against them, the probability of success is virtually 0

This post has been edited by Kcdw96: May 11 2017, 05:51 PM

wants only 2 a levels subjects, looking for short cuts, yet wants "top unis" and now wants to work in uk....

talk about delusional....lol

Apparently in the UK, all A-Levels certificate for each subject is independent, and not in one single form.
So they can handle it with ease, if they want to retake any subs.

For TS Case, I think it is better for him to take 3 subjects.
As that's the UK Standard.

So he can complete the 3rd subject, after he completed his first 2 Cambridge A-Level exams.
Some UK Sixth Forms, People do only 2 AS+A2, and 1 AS, because they felt they have no interest in completing it.

That AS certificate alone, is now an independent certificate, only in other boards than Cambridge.

Meanwhile for Cambridge A-Levels, you need AS and A2 to get an overall A-Level results.
Your A2 results will never become an independent certificate.

if he intend to do clp it pretty much void the rights to do clp in malaysia

Hey,

All of the above discussion is just a plan which will vary from time.



This post has been edited by Unknown_X: May 12 2017, 09:42 PM

Correct me if l am wrong. UKT Leeds will require 3 Bs in A levels and for Manchester , it is ABB in 3 A levels. This is from Talyor law prospectus. I am sure the better unis will also select the best students from UKT . They can reject lower ranked students.

Limeuu is someone who is very objective in his comments . Many have benefited from his advice including my relative.

Yes, I totally agreed with you on this . Limeuu is very knowledgeable especially in the field of medicine . He has helped a lot of people .

Can't really help you on the selection of university sorry (I have no idea about their law faculty), you'll have to find out which uni suits you better.

As far as I know, unless you're doing a full degree program in UK in prestigious uni, have perfect a levels score+combination of subject, started a club/society, etc and even so, your chance of landing a career in UK is very very slim. You'll be taking a massive gamble if you're betting rm150k(a year?) to get a job in UK in return. Unless you're okay with just gaining overseas experience+ UK degree and some soft skills, it would say it is not a very good investment (and this depends on your financial position).

and i would say UK DEGREE =/= high salary in Malaysia, even if you're from a prestigious uni.

*My thoughts and opinions, backed with no evidence/data.

but I have to say I do enjoy my time in UK even though I'm studying in a mediocre university (teaching methods far better than BAC & Sunway).