Can I qualify with a 2:2 degree in law?

Graduating with a 2:2 in law? Your legal career isn’t over!

Many aspiring lawyers see their results, realise they have received a second class degree (2:2), and instantly think that their career is over before it has even started. It hasn’t! You may feel disheartened seeing a lot of job adverts stating that a 2:1 or above is required, but this isn’t always the case.

Firstly, obtaining a degree in any classification is a huge achievement and the fact that you have successfully completed your degree in law shows your commitment to your education and the hard work that went into it. There can be many external factors that may contribute to you getting a lower grade than predicted or expected, but sometimes life throws unexpected things at you that are out of your control!

What are your options?  

Although it is true that some of the more traditional routes such as the LPC or Barrister route can be harder to get into with a 2:2, there are many alternative routes that you can explore! 

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) 

The SQE route is one of the newer routes to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales and consists of two stages: SQE1 and SQE2. One of the requirements of this route is to have a degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification, but it does not state the classification. This could be a great option for a graduate who obtained a 2:2 classification wishing to qualify as a solicitor as it is flexible and accessible, allowing you to fit your studies around other commitments. 

There are lots of SQE preparation courses out there, but it’s important to find one that will offer you the support you need. Whether you have a busy family life, work in a demanding job or just have a specific learning style that means you need higher levels of tutor support, it’s important that you take all of these factors into consideration when deciding on a suitable prep course.  

Law Training Centre offers a range of prep courses for those with different requirements. A great starting point for those with a 2:2 degree in law might be the SQE1 Prep: Flexi Learn course, designed to help you build your legal knowledge over a longer period of course access with unlimited tutor support all the way through. Or, you might prefer to dive in with our SQE1+2 Complete Prep for Law Graduates if you feel you can dedicate more time to your studies and progress faster through your preparation. 

CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) 

As a law degree holder, you qualify for entry to the CILEX CGQ route which fast-tracks you to the advanced stage of the CILEX CPQ route. And good news – you do not need a 2:1 to benefit from this fast-track option! This is a great pathway if you want to specialise early, as opposed to the SQE where you have to learn a wide range of areas then specialise in your chosen area after qualifying. 

Our CGQ course is well suited for a 2:2 law graduate as it offers great flexibility which means that the studying required can fit around your lifestyle. Many law graduates will take up part time jobs as they enrol in further study, and this course supports that, with features such as recorded workshops, tutor support, study planners and self-test questions. The CGQ course would put you on the right academic path with the end goal of becoming a CILEX Lawyer, followed by the requirement to complete 2300 work experience hours. 

Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) 

The CLC route is designed for those with the end goal of working in property law as a Licensed Conveyancer or in wills as a Licensed Probate Practitioner. The CLC qualification (either in conveyancing or probate) consists of two parts: the Level 4 and Level 6 Diplomas. This is another non-traditional route which has no degree entry requirements, and you can even dual qualify in probate and conveyancing if you wish.  

At Law Training Centre, the Level 4 and Level 6 diplomas can be studied fully remote and flexibly to fit around your work and family commitments, including the examinations. On completion of the Level 4 Diploma, once you have 6 months of work experience, you can register as a CLC Technician or carry on completing the full diploma and work experience to then apply for your CLC license. 

However, with a 2:2 law degree, you may also be entitled to some exemptions from units, making your time to qualify even shorter. If you would like to check your prior qualifications to see if you qualify for any exemptions, our friendly exemptions team can guide you through the process at [email protected]. 

Alternative careers in law 

If you decide that further study is not for you for the time being, or forever, there are plenty of other alternative careers in law that you can explore where your degree will come in handy! To name a few: 

• Compliance Officer 

• Legal Technologist (in high demand with the rise in AI) 

• Policy Advisor 

• HR Advisor 

• Teacher 

If you’re still feeling stuck when trying to find the right role for you, why not reach out to our Student Services Team for some advice? Our friendly team will help you look through your options and decide on the right pathway to reach your career aspirations. To get in contact, please email [email protected] or call 0330 088 8495.    

Find other ways to stand out! 

Competition in law has been and always will be high, which is why it is a good idea to stand out in other ways to capture the attention of potential employers.  

Work experience can be just as valuable as the qualifications you have under your belt as it shows you can apply all of your skills and knowledge in practice. Putting a lot of work into your CV can be a great way to pull in employers. This might involve doing some volunteering work or maybe taking up some short courses to enhance your knowledge and skillset. It shows your interest in bettering yourself and that you are putting yourself out there to give you the best chance at success. Some other ways to stand out include networking (particularly on LinkedIn) and developing transferrable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving which can all be applied in a legal environment. 

Getting a 2:2 in your law degree is not a bad thing and does not close all doors, but in fact opens up opportunities to explore alternative pathways to qualification. You might even find that a non-traditional pathway that fits you better in terms of study style, flexibility and course material, giving you a better chance at excelling and pursuing the career you dreamed of.