[lynxwick]

I am a foreign student from the Far East and am currently in my second year.

First year was rather bad; despite making it into one of the top 5 universities, I managed to get 4 2:1s and a 2:2.

I have applied to a number of firms but was rejected by 1/3 of them so far... is it because I am not British and thus the requirements are more stringent? Or is it simply because of academia?

I had relevant work experience back home; 1 at a medium sized law firm, another at a specialist law company. And a couple of other experiences at other commercial firms (accounting, real estate, finance) and at a foreign bank overseas (not home and not England).

I am also currently volunteering as part of an advocacy team.

How else should I improve?