I'm a final year LLB student in a top UK law school on track for a first (fingers crossed) who's looking to do a Cambridge LLM (after taking a year out of studying). So, essentially, what would help my application? I have a few committee positions in my universities law/extra-curricular societies, have had an article or two published and done some legal work experience here and there. Overall, as of now, I have a 68% average (high 2:1), although my degree certification is not based on averages.

Another query I have regards whether the modules i've chosen are considered in themselves. My main concern is that most of my firsts i've achieved so far are in non-traditional modules, i.e, not the compulsory criminal/contract/tort/property/equity, etc.. Likewise, most of the modules i'm taking this year that i'm banking on to help me achieve the overall first class degree are also non-traditionalist/'commercial', bar the dissertation, which itself is based on family law. Will this have any effect or does it not matter as long as firsts were achieved? And in that regard, does how high the firsts matter, or is a first a first nonetheless, regardless whether it be 70% or 85%? Plus, my grades in the compulsory modules are mediocre (mid 2:1s) - will this also dent my chances?

Finally, my first year marks were not, in any way shape or form, amazing - they were 2:2s on average, with a single 2:1 (borderline as well) - will this damage my application or is it predominately based on the last two years of which my degree's certification actually consists of?

Please remember that I intend to apply after having completed my degree as well. I am also planning to apply to UCL and LSE so any help for an LLM in all generality would be fantastic. Thank you very much!