Don't know which uni to do the LLB at, limited choice. Will it affect my chances of getting a good training contract/pupillage for good?

I achieved AAA in my A-Level results this year. Got accepted into SOAS for Law LLB. I'm aware of SOAS's reputation as a "leftist" university - however I have met a law student there who is enjoying the course and has obviously used her time wisely in securing work placements and doing well in mooting competitions. On the other hand, the tide of hate directed towards this institution is more than a little daunting. Someone on The Student Room said, amongst other things, ‘SOAS is Tumblr reincarnated’ and that lecturers are also affected by such "dogmatic" thinking, marking you down if you don't agree with them, which was horrifying for me - I'm there to do a degree and obtain useful connections, not get involved with politics. I do like the course though, and the option of an intercollegiate module in Year 3 - also, as it is part of the University of London group, I will have access to other libraries/resources.

I could also attend the University of Law (Bloomsbury campus) as they appear to place a great deal of emphasis upon employability, which is of course mandatory - this is a vocational degree, the aim is to build connections as soon as possible. All lecturers have worked in the field, and one is able to build a strong relationship with law firms, including those in the Magic Circle. Although, I also have reservations about this option: it seems to consist of a majority of mature students/those in career conversions and as someone who is considering the BPTC, it was a little disconcerting to hear that not many students go through to this - they seem more LPC focused. It also may be lacking in the ‘intimacy’ atmosphere/there are a lot of students, 25 in each tutorial group, and standing out/gaining attention from lecturers may be difficult, and mooting competition will be more intense.

My other option is Brunel - it is relatively close to me (I'm living at home) the course and mooting competitions look good, and it seems to be free of any leftist stigma. It is also a modern university which places a great deal of emphasis upon employability, which is of course a large bonus. Then again, the student population is large and it may be difficult to gain a 1 to 1 focus. Another thing: it is quite isolated/separate from central London and all the law-related events going on there.

The last ‘strategy’ I’m aware of is to hopefully apply to do the LPC or a Masters at a more reputable university such as UCL/King’s/LSE in order to increase my chance of ‘impressing’ any firms, if they do place such a high value on the university of origin for their applicants and not on grades and merit. Which university out of my options would make it easier for me to wangle a postgrad course (if I can get the funding anyway) at an institution like UCL/LSE?

TL;DR - SOAS, University of Law or Brunel - which one? Will my choice now affect my future prospects irrevocably? Would really appreciate some advice, I'm pretty anxious/depressed and don't have long to decide.

Posted Aug 17, 2017, 8:12 PM UTC

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