I achieved a 2:2 degree classification in Law from the University of Exeter. I am currently 11 months into a training contract. I am interested in undertaking a part time master of laws. Could anyone advise which, if any, universities may consider my application (based on my degree classification) and which it would be a waste of time to consider. Your advice would be very much appreciated.

You may get out-competed some places, but, like anything else, you still get to make an argument. The fact that you're currently on a training contract speaks well for you. I would suggest that you take a broad view both in terms of the kinds of programs you might consider and, despite your preference for a part-time LL.M., also in terms of your geographic flexibility. It seems to me that, whether - ultimately - you decide to go to some foreign land to complete your LL.M. or not, you might consider at least exploring the possibilities outside of the U.K., especially since LL.M. programs tend to be diverse, making the competition among U.K. law graduates for spaces on U.K. programs particularly competitive. It also bears repeating that admissions is rolling, and that, wherever you apply, you should do so as early in the process as possible. That's true for anyone.

with a 2.2 obviously oxbridge and the top london law schools (UCL/LSE) are out of the running. on paper you also need a 2.1 to be admitted to the llm programmes of kcl/soas/bristol/durham/qm, but (this is speculation) i would hazard that with a compelling (and early) application you may well stand a chance. good luck.

In theory, I agree with Good Gosh, but Ill stick to my previous advices that its never a waste of time applying to whichever university you want. So, even if your chances are significantly impaired by your 2:2, Id still apply to Oxbridge, LSE and UCL (if thats what you want, of course). But considering your slip in your previous studies, its better to have some cards up your sleeve if plan A doesnt come off so apply at least to KCL and QM too.

Yes, I'm just posting back to make sure I say as encouragingly as possible that you should absolutely take your swings. In the end, like beicon says, you should have cards up your sleeve, and, by the way, if you do your research (and this is why I also encouraged you to be flexible with what you want, if only for the research stage), you can find some fantastic programs which you might not have considered otherwise and which might be a perfect fit for you. I don't really know how Hong Kong University's program is, for example, but it's one that I put on my list because it sounded interesting, it would have made me a very interesting candidate to law firms, and some commenters here had a few positive things to say. Granted it was in Hong Kong, but then the original thought was to apply to London anyway. What's a few more hours on a plane? Anyway, there are a lot of really intriguing LL.M. programs out there. Apply to the ones you want, but perhaps also think about what you want to do, where you want your LL.M. to take you and what kind of program might make you most marketable. In the end, every applicant has "reach schools", and everyone has cards up his or her sleeve; that's just part of the process of applying. Go for it!

Thank you all for your frank and encouraging advice.