How to Achieve a First-Class Degree in Law
A practical guide to studying and mastering the marking criteria, essay structure and avoiding common mistakes.
EO Careers Team
If you’re exploring different routes within the legal profession, you can find broader guidance on careers, study paths, and progression in our Law Careers hub.
This guide focuses specifically on one question many law students ask: how to consistently perform at first-class level.
Achieving a first-class degree in law is rarely about raw intelligence. The difference between a high 2:1 and a First often comes down to method, not effort.
This guide brings together proven study strategies drawn from first-class scripts, examiner feedback, and practical experience across multiple law degrees. It focuses on what actually moves marks and what holds students back.
How First-Class Students Think
Having the right mindset is the foundation of strong academic performance.
If there is one skill law school should teach you, it is this: how to find, organise, and retrieve information efficiently. It does not matter whether you use pen and paper, Notion, OneNote, or another system. What matters is consistency. First-class students are not necessarily more gifted, they are more organised, deliberate, and strategic in how they learn.
Stay on Top of Your Schedule
Time management is not optional if you want top grades.
Strong students plan their workload early, break tasks into manageable stages, and avoid last-minute cramming. Tools like Notion or simple task managers can help you map deadlines, schedule reading, and space revision properly. Consistency beats intensity. Small, regular effort compounds quickly.
Understand the Marking Criteria (and Use It)
The marking criteria is not background information, it is the marking scheme.
Universities are explicit about what they reward: depth, structure, critical analysis, and clarity. First-class answers do not describe the law; they analyse it.
Feedback is equally important. Essay comments, mock exam notes, and tutorial feedback show you exactly where marks are being lost. Use them deliberately. Identify patterns, adjust your approach, and ask for clarification when needed.
Use Study Groups Strategically
Study groups can be useful if used correctly. Explaining complex topics to others reinforces understanding and exposes gaps in knowledge. However, poorly structured sessions waste time. If you use study groups, set clear objectives and limit sessions to focused discussion or problem-solving. Quality matters more than duration.
Practise Past Papers Properly
Past papers and mock exams are essential. They train you to manage time, structure answers, and apply legal principles under pressure. They also reveal weaknesses early enough to fix them.
Exams are no different from other high-performance environments: testing before the real event is non-negotiable.
Use the Right Tools and Structures
Aiming for a First does not mean writing more, it means writing better
Clear structure, precise language, and focused analysis are what examiners reward. Tools like Grammarly help avoid easy errors, but structure does the heavy lifting.
6.1 Answering problem questions
Universities usually provide preferred structures. Follow them. This alone can secure easy marks.
You can see a model first-class problem question answer in our Resources section, which shows how strong application and reasoning look in practice.
6.2 Writing first-class essays
A strong essay follows a predictable structure:
Introduction
Set the issue, state your argument clearly, and outline your approach.
Body paragraphs
Each paragraph should:
make one clear point
explain the reasoning
support it with authority
analyse rather than describe
Conclusion
Tie the argument together without introducing new material.
You can access a full first-class essay structure breakdown here
6.3 Referencing correctly
OSCOLA errors lose marks unnecessarily. Keep a referencing cheat sheet nearby and store case citations properly from the start.
Participate Actively in Tutorials
Tutorials are where understanding deepens. Arrive prepared, contribute thoughtfully, and use them to test ideas. Reviewing lecture notes within 24 hours significantly improves retention. Tools like flashcards can help consolidate rules and principles.
Make Sure You Truly Understand the Law
Memorisation alone is not enough. One effective method used by high-performing students is the Feynman Technique:
learn the concept
explain it simply
identify gaps
simplify again
If you can explain a legal principle clearly, you understand it.
Revision Efficiency
Watching lectures or revision videos at faster speeds can save time without harming comprehension. Studies suggest comprehension remains stable up to 1.5x and even 2x speed. Used wisely, this frees time for practice and consolidation.
Final Thoughts
A first-class law degree is not achieved through luck or last-minute effort.
It is the result of:
understanding how marks are awarded
structuring answers effectively
practising under exam conditions
refining based on feedback
Want to access First-Class Notes?
If you want ready-to-use templates, model answers, and structured study resources — including first-class notes, essay frameworks, and problem question examples — you’ll find them in our Resources section.
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Law Careers
How to Achieve a First-Class Degree in Law
A practical guide to studying and mastering the marking criteria, essay structure and avoiding common mistakes.
EO Careers Team
If you’re exploring different routes within the legal profession, you can find broader guidance on careers, study paths, and progression in our Law Careers hub.
This guide focuses specifically on one question many law students ask: how to consistently perform at first-class level.
Achieving a first-class degree in law is rarely about raw intelligence. The difference between a high 2:1 and a First often comes down to method, not effort.
This guide brings together proven study strategies drawn from first-class scripts, examiner feedback, and practical experience across multiple law degrees. It focuses on what actually moves marks and what holds students back.
How First-Class Students Think
Having the right mindset is the foundation of strong academic performance.
If there is one skill law school should teach you, it is this: how to find, organise, and retrieve information efficiently. It does not matter whether you use pen and paper, Notion, OneNote, or another system. What matters is consistency. First-class students are not necessarily more gifted, they are more organised, deliberate, and strategic in how they learn.
Stay on Top of Your Schedule
Time management is not optional if you want top grades.
Strong students plan their workload early, break tasks into manageable stages, and avoid last-minute cramming. Tools like Notion or simple task managers can help you map deadlines, schedule reading, and space revision properly. Consistency beats intensity. Small, regular effort compounds quickly.
Understand the Marking Criteria (and Use It)
The marking criteria is not background information, it is the marking scheme.
Universities are explicit about what they reward: depth, structure, critical analysis, and clarity. First-class answers do not describe the law; they analyse it.
Feedback is equally important. Essay comments, mock exam notes, and tutorial feedback show you exactly where marks are being lost. Use them deliberately. Identify patterns, adjust your approach, and ask for clarification when needed.
Use Study Groups Strategically
Study groups can be useful if used correctly. Explaining complex topics to others reinforces understanding and exposes gaps in knowledge. However, poorly structured sessions waste time. If you use study groups, set clear objectives and limit sessions to focused discussion or problem-solving. Quality matters more than duration.
Practise Past Papers Properly
Past papers and mock exams are essential. They train you to manage time, structure answers, and apply legal principles under pressure. They also reveal weaknesses early enough to fix them.
Exams are no different from other high-performance environments: testing before the real event is non-negotiable.
Use the Right Tools and Structures
Aiming for a First does not mean writing more, it means writing better
Clear structure, precise language, and focused analysis are what examiners reward. Tools like Grammarly help avoid easy errors, but structure does the heavy lifting.
6.1 Answering problem questions
Universities usually provide preferred structures. Follow them. This alone can secure easy marks.
You can see a model first-class problem question answer in our Resources section, which shows how strong application and reasoning look in practice.
6.2 Writing first-class essays
A strong essay follows a predictable structure:
Introduction
Set the issue, state your argument clearly, and outline your approach.
Body paragraphs
Each paragraph should:
make one clear point
explain the reasoning
support it with authority
analyse rather than describe
Conclusion
Tie the argument together without introducing new material.
You can access a full first-class essay structure breakdown here
6.3 Referencing correctly
OSCOLA errors lose marks unnecessarily. Keep a referencing cheat sheet nearby and store case citations properly from the start.
Participate Actively in Tutorials
Tutorials are where understanding deepens. Arrive prepared, contribute thoughtfully, and use them to test ideas. Reviewing lecture notes within 24 hours significantly improves retention. Tools like flashcards can help consolidate rules and principles.
Make Sure You Truly Understand the Law
Memorisation alone is not enough. One effective method used by high-performing students is the Feynman Technique:
learn the concept
explain it simply
identify gaps
simplify again
If you can explain a legal principle clearly, you understand it.
Revision Efficiency
Watching lectures or revision videos at faster speeds can save time without harming comprehension. Studies suggest comprehension remains stable up to 1.5x and even 2x speed. Used wisely, this frees time for practice and consolidation.
Final Thoughts
A first-class law degree is not achieved through luck or last-minute effort.
It is the result of:
understanding how marks are awarded
structuring answers effectively
practising under exam conditions
refining based on feedback
Want to access First-Class Notes?
If you want ready-to-use templates, model answers, and structured study resources — including first-class notes, essay frameworks, and problem question examples — you’ll find them in our Resources section.
Law Careers
How to Achieve a First-Class Degree in Law
A practical guide to studying and mastering the marking criteria, essay structure and avoiding common mistakes.
EO Careers Team
If you’re exploring different routes within the legal profession, you can find broader guidance on careers, study paths, and progression in our Law Careers hub.
This guide focuses specifically on one question many law students ask: how to consistently perform at first-class level.
Achieving a first-class degree in law is rarely about raw intelligence. The difference between a high 2:1 and a First often comes down to method, not effort.
This guide brings together proven study strategies drawn from first-class scripts, examiner feedback, and practical experience across multiple law degrees. It focuses on what actually moves marks and what holds students back.
How First-Class Students Think
Having the right mindset is the foundation of strong academic performance.
If there is one skill law school should teach you, it is this: how to find, organise, and retrieve information efficiently. It does not matter whether you use pen and paper, Notion, OneNote, or another system. What matters is consistency. First-class students are not necessarily more gifted, they are more organised, deliberate, and strategic in how they learn.
Stay on Top of Your Schedule
Time management is not optional if you want top grades.
Strong students plan their workload early, break tasks into manageable stages, and avoid last-minute cramming. Tools like Notion or simple task managers can help you map deadlines, schedule reading, and space revision properly. Consistency beats intensity. Small, regular effort compounds quickly.
Understand the Marking Criteria (and Use It)
The marking criteria is not background information, it is the marking scheme.
Universities are explicit about what they reward: depth, structure, critical analysis, and clarity. First-class answers do not describe the law; they analyse it.
Feedback is equally important. Essay comments, mock exam notes, and tutorial feedback show you exactly where marks are being lost. Use them deliberately. Identify patterns, adjust your approach, and ask for clarification when needed.
Use Study Groups Strategically
Study groups can be useful if used correctly. Explaining complex topics to others reinforces understanding and exposes gaps in knowledge. However, poorly structured sessions waste time. If you use study groups, set clear objectives and limit sessions to focused discussion or problem-solving. Quality matters more than duration.
Practise Past Papers Properly
Past papers and mock exams are essential. They train you to manage time, structure answers, and apply legal principles under pressure. They also reveal weaknesses early enough to fix them.
Exams are no different from other high-performance environments: testing before the real event is non-negotiable.
Use the Right Tools and Structures
Aiming for a First does not mean writing more, it means writing better
Clear structure, precise language, and focused analysis are what examiners reward. Tools like Grammarly help avoid easy errors, but structure does the heavy lifting.
6.1 Answering problem questions
Universities usually provide preferred structures. Follow them. This alone can secure easy marks.
You can see a model first-class problem question answer in our Resources section, which shows how strong application and reasoning look in practice.
6.2 Writing first-class essays
A strong essay follows a predictable structure:
Introduction
Set the issue, state your argument clearly, and outline your approach.
Body paragraphs
Each paragraph should:
make one clear point
explain the reasoning
support it with authority
analyse rather than describe
Conclusion
Tie the argument together without introducing new material.
You can access a full first-class essay structure breakdown here
6.3 Referencing correctly
OSCOLA errors lose marks unnecessarily. Keep a referencing cheat sheet nearby and store case citations properly from the start.
Participate Actively in Tutorials
Tutorials are where understanding deepens. Arrive prepared, contribute thoughtfully, and use them to test ideas. Reviewing lecture notes within 24 hours significantly improves retention. Tools like flashcards can help consolidate rules and principles.
Make Sure You Truly Understand the Law
Memorisation alone is not enough. One effective method used by high-performing students is the Feynman Technique:
learn the concept
explain it simply
identify gaps
simplify again
If you can explain a legal principle clearly, you understand it.
Revision Efficiency
Watching lectures or revision videos at faster speeds can save time without harming comprehension. Studies suggest comprehension remains stable up to 1.5x and even 2x speed. Used wisely, this frees time for practice and consolidation.
Final Thoughts
A first-class law degree is not achieved through luck or last-minute effort.
It is the result of:
understanding how marks are awarded
structuring answers effectively
practising under exam conditions
refining based on feedback
Want to access First-Class Notes?
If you want ready-to-use templates, model answers, and structured study resources — including first-class notes, essay frameworks, and problem question examples — you’ll find them in our Resources section.
