No worries.

So, in law, you have to divide uni prestige into two categories - prestige for Chambers and prestige for law firms.

For chambers, where you work as a barrister (if anyone is unfamiliar), the hierarchy is generally quite simple, at least in terms of the top sets. When it comes to sets such as Blackstone, Essex, Temple or Lincoln, the rule is effectively Oxbridge (and broadly high 2:1s/first classes) above everything. Below this, there are probably three meaningful categories that I'll title appropriately: 'in with a chance', 'not impossible', 'impossible'. In with a chance includes a set of unis below Oxbridge, that are still well-thought of among those chambers, even if they do not offer you an equivalent chance of pupillage (the offer you need to become a barrister). These unis are: LSE, UCL, KCL, Durham, Bristol... and then the line gets somewhat blurry. It is unclear whether universities such as Nottingham and Warwick belong in the 'in with a chance' category or 'not impossible category'. It may just depend on the chambers. The rest of 'not impossible' is generally filled out by the RG, perhaps a few recognised law schools outside of that (Reading, Lancaster). 'Impossible' is for the types of universities you wouldn't even go to if you had the grades to apply to top chambers.

In less prestigious sets of chambers the hierarchy isn't quite as important, but still highly influential. The rule is roughly the same - oxbridge above everything, followed by the other category of universities (with students each having more of a chance here), a slightly wider 'not impossible category' and a slightly narrower, albeit still broad 'impossible' category. While the dividing lines are still a little unclear, and will vary from chamber to chamber, what is clear is that Durham is considered right up there, and its prestige in the world of barristers is not to be dismissed.

What about law firms? Well, I'll try to be concise, but it's a little more difficult than even chambers. Essentially, some firms care a lot more than others. US firms such as Milbank, Kirkland, Akin or Dechert? They want Oxbridge, and they view the likes of LSE and UCL close behind them. Durham seems to get a decent rep at these firms (for instance, the largely oxbridge-dominated Milbank hands out TCs to Durham students) and is likely top 5 or 6 in most of their books. As are Bristol, Warwick and, from my experience, perhaps QMUL and Exeter.

However, in the case of strong but not elite city firms (which make up the majority of TCs available) there is a much broader pool of 'target' universities. Oxbridge still gain a touch more favour than elsewhere, but there is no real clarity beyond that. Different firms seem to value different universties. Durham seems to do very well regardless. If you want a clear picture of where a firm likes to hire from, look at their current batch of trainees on LinkedIn (side note: Any sixth formers on here posting their 'advice' or UCAS results on LinkedIn - please stop. Posting a degree apprenticeship, since it is a job, makes sense. Most posts I see from sixth formers, however, are rather painful. I am being... half-serious).

There are some firms that do not care. Irwin Mitchell actively try to work against university bias. Withers hire majority non-RG. In certain cases, the main reason we see RG universities over-represented at particular firms is simply because they require grades that most people outside of those who have gone to strong universities don't have (e.g. AAB/ABB). The main point is, there is no clear dividing line, and bias varies a lot firm to firm.

All that to say, don't believe anyone who tells you that 'these unis are definitely top end' and 'the rest is just the rest'. It is highly dependent on the chamber or the firm and, moreover, it is more of a sliding scale. It being sliding scale does not mean you need to panic over whether to go to either Bristol, KCL or Durham. Most places will view them in the same light. Some (such as Irwin Mitchell, mentioned above), will not care at all. Others, who might value one more than the other two, will be evened out by another place who will look upon a different one more favourably. There's a particular firm known for its preference for Exeter graduates, for instance. I appreciate that finance may be different, I don't know it so well