Undergraduate

I studied the LLB (Hons) Law Degree during 2018-2021 at Bournemouth University and graduated in June 2021. As it can be presumed, I had already undergone a transition from studying on campus to remote studying during the Covid-19 pandemic. Coming to study my postgraduate degree at City, already, I knew that the methods of practice and teaching was something that I would have to adapt to. This was not because of how each lecturer teaches differently, but because, and mainly so, of the higher level of knowledge, understanding, and skills that I was required to progressively obtain. Of course, there was no doubt that transitioning from studying the LLB to the BVS was a big step to take. Though, the main two reasons why I believed that I was able to transition without difficulty to the BVS were thoroughly taking the time to read through the Bar Vocational Studies Course Page on City's website and attending a Postgraduate Open Evening. Thus, this blog will outline an effective method of gaining an understanding of the Bar Vocational Studies Course Page in preparation for the transition to study this course and also the importance of attending a Postgraduate Open Evening....

The new City Law School building announced in September 2020, has provided another great space for students to study and socialise whilst on campus. On numerous occasions, I have had the privilege of being able to visit this building and enjoy the facilities and resources that it has to offer. In this blog, I am going to highlight three key reasons why I believe the building is a great study place! I will discuss the topic areas of: Library (Open Spaces for Group Work... and );  and .

When I began the Legal Practice Course (LPC) after my Law LLB studies, I felt slightly lost and struggled with the transition from my previous degree. Change is hard - but it is good - with time, I got the hang of the LPC course and started to really enjoy it! I hope my advice can help students who are in the same position I was in when I began my LPC studies.   What were the biggest challenges in going from the LLB to LPC? The biggest challenge going from the LLB to the LPC for me was switching from essay-style exams to practice-based exams. For example, on the LLB course, I was encouraged to write in a more academic and ‘deeper’ style, often using ‘flowery’ language to make the essays and coursework sound more interesting and intellectual. I was used to writing this way during my GCSEs, A-Levels and undergraduate studies and it came naturally to me to be expressive and explore different issues when writing or answering questions in an exam....

Studying a law degree at City is challenging but an incredibly rewarding journey. It will provide you with crucial skills and give you an infinite array of opportunities for your future career. However, there are unfortunately still many misconceptions surrounding law degrees that could put off prospective students: as a ‘seasoned’ law student, I can confirm that these are very much not true. So, let’s debunk some of them!   1. There is too much to read The typical picture of a law student that usually pops into mind is a student almost drowning in textbooks and papers –but I can assure you this is not the case! Studying law does still involve a lot of reading, however, this is a trait common to all degrees. You will be expected to read cases, statutes, and articles, but you will rarely come across a physical copy of a 500-page article. Nowadays, reading materials are easily accessible online and case digests on legal software like Westlaw and LexisNexis can aid you by cutting your reading time in half. The key to this is being organised; as long as you prioritise your assigned reading, highlight the most important parts, summarise the core arguments and use case digests to help you, you will be able to ace your studies! Law is also much more than just reading: there is a lot of practice and critical thinking. The core ability typical of a law degree is to find the issues relating to your reading and be able to criticise them....

When the new City Law School building opened, I was looking forward to having a place dedicated to Law students to study, relax with friends and access the library. The City Law School is located in a new and modern building just 30 seconds away from the main university buildings at City in Northampton Square. I believe it is a fantastic place to study and, although I have not had any lectures taking place here, you can always find me here studying, relaxing or having lunch after my lectures. Here’s five reasons why I think it’s an amazing place for Law students:   Great silent study space The City Law School building holds a lot of amazing study places located on two different floors. Here you can find yourself a place to focus on your studies and your exams, away from all distractions. The second floor is also where lots of academics and lecturers have their offices; thus, it is easy for you to arrange a meeting with them if you are struggling with any content, and continue with your studies afterwards....

Studying the LLB degree has helped me in numerous ways. For example, it has made me become more confident and resilient. It has also helped me to prepare for my future plans in a variety of ways.   What are your plans after graduation? After I graduate, I have decided to work in the non-legal sector as a Content Creator. I still wish to qualify as a solicitor - so by working full time I will save enough money to undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or complete the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE)....

Studying Law is seen as challenging but is also full of twists and turns that you may not have expected. Let’s debunk five myths about studying Law.   1. Studying Law requires a lot of reading You will have heard that when studying law, your time will heavily revolve around reading. This is not entirely true as Law students are expected to do more than just reading. Students are expected to attend lectures, prepare for tutorials and seminars and practice formative questions for their upcoming assessments....

The LLB Law degree is considered to be one of the most challenging and intellectual degrees. Here are five reasons why you should invest your time in a Law degree.   1. Law gives you the power to make a difference... Studying law enables you to make a difference in people’s lives. If you feel strongly about a specific issue such as criminal law or human rights, then a law degree will teach you how to defend a client and also how the law system works.

I am about to finish my third year of LLB Law, and I wish I could talk to first-year me about to embark on an amazing and life-changing adventure at City, University of London. Coming from a non-English speaking country, I did not know much about the many layers of a traditional LLB Law degree needed in order to succeed in your future academic and professional career. After being paired with a Citybuddy, and managing my way up until my final year of my LLB, I believe to have understood my experience at City and gained various skills needed to be a well-rounded law student. So, if you are an upcoming law student, keep reading to find some of the tips that might help you gain a head start into your future!   Always reach out when you are struggling You have studied your whole life, however, being at university has a different feeling and expectations compared to your high school or college. The workload can be double or even triple the one you might be used to, and the hours of independent study might destabilise you or time might not seem enough to complete every reading. If you are good at managing your time and succeed in this, hats off to you! However, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. Being proactive will help a lot and prevent many of these bad feelings, for example keeping in touch with your personal tutor and your lecturers. Academic staff are also there to help you get the best university experience and aid you if you are struggling with your learning - go ahead and book an appointment directly with them. They were students like you once and will likely understand what you are going through – they can also recommend you to the health and counselling staff at City, University of London, who can help you overcome these times....

With these unprecedented times seemingly becoming our new ‘normality’ and the relaxation of restrictive measures, I could not wait to get on a plane and start attending my lessons in person. Especially after a whole long year of staying home, in my pyjamas, in front of a black screen for most of the day. Students are still split between keeping lessons online and attending in-person and it might be difficult to decide which option to keep. I believe this list might be useful to compare these methods and understand the what the best option for you is.   Personally, I believe that commuting is the main reason that dictates my preferred method of teaching. As a law student, time is incredibly valuable so picking online tutorials might be useful for those who live far or must commute during peak hours times. However, a perk of attending in-person tutorials whilst having to commute is extra time given to revise while on your train, bus or underground. Changing perspective, getting some fresh air, or walking to campus could also benefit your mental health. Yet, if you’d prefer to stay home and keep everything at hand’s length while studying, sticking to online lessons could be a positive aspect. However, be wary of simply commuting from your desk to your bed – remember to leave your computer off a few times to avoid burnout....

Studying the LLB Law degree has allowed me to learn a lot. However, I have also seen myself grow as a person over the past three years. So, what do I wish I’d known in my first year of studying Law? Here are five things:   1. The jump from A-level to Law School The jump from A-level to the LLB Law degree is huge as students undertaking a degree are left alone to complete their work on time. Not having a teacher checking over your shoulder each week to see if you completed your homework can cause students to become lazy and avoid doing the necessary reading and seminar preparation....

The Micro-Placement Programme provides students with the opportunity to undertake a placement in an area that is not traditionally associated with their degree. Students experience real-life exposure to the work environment which allows them to gain experience and enhance their skills.   Application Process I applied during the first year of my law degree as I was keen on undertaking work experience. I wanted to not only add to my CV but also gain an understanding of the business environment. The process required me to attend a workshop where I was provided with advice on how to make my application stand out as well as etiquette when sending out emails and meeting professional people....

London is an expensive city and it can be tricky to budget whilst being a student - especially coming from a low-income family. With the current high rising cost of living and the necessity to complete a demanding legal qualification, it is understandable that some students might take up a new job. Moreover, by working you can give yourself valuable transferable skills helpful for a future application, such as a training contract. The key to working part-time during a challenging degree such as Law is organisation. I have been working two part-time jobs during my Law degree and, despite being difficult, it can be done! Prioritising and flexibility are also important assets....

What is CityBuddy? City, University of London understands that starting university can be nerve-wracking, scary but also very exciting. As a result, City has provided students with the opportunity to feel welcomed to their course by providing them with a CityBuddy who is either in their second or third year of university and is studying the same course as you. They will mentor you by helping you settle in, discussing the different facilities that the university has to offer, and providing an insight into your course by answering any questions you may have.   My Journey When I started at City, I was anxious as I was the first in my family to attend university. I didn’t have any knowledge on how university works or even my course. I was thrilled to learn that the university provides first-year students with a mentor who can help settle you in. I knew this would be of great help - I signed up straight away and waited to hear back from my CityBuddy....

What is your name and what course do you study, what year are you in?... I am Elisa Donà, and I am a third year LLB Law student. I come from Venice, Italy and prior coming to City I was studying in a technical high school focusing on languages and tourism. I felt that City was the perfect match for me in terms of modules, extracurricular activities and career prospects. I have been lucky to receive plenty of support from the Recruitment Staff which made me feel valued as a student.

  Why did you choose to study the LLB? I've always found the rules that govern society interesting and wanted to learn more. Studying an LLB does not just teach you what the law is, but how it works, how it impacts us, how it evolves, and how it could be improved. Combining this with the analytical skills and strong employability of the degree, it just made a lot of sense to me....

  Why did you choose to study the LLB? I chose to study LLB Law as upon researching when I was in sixth form, I found out that law is an extremely transferable degree to have. You can follow any route and career you might like, whether that is to do with working with the civil service, consultancy, business, technology, and many more. When you study LLB, you learn critical analysis, organisation, time management, and teamwork on top of other soft skills, and these skills are the most important skills to possess when you finally start working a full-time job....

  Why did you choose to study the LLB? My decision to study the LLB stems from an interest in international and domestic current affairs and a love of public speaking and debate. Even though it is a pure law degree, the variety of modules offered make it an attractive degree for many other career options. The LLB is an intellectually challenging degree that educates and trains your mind to digest and analyse information quickly and thoroughly. Furthermore, it encompasses some practical aspects such as advocacy, mediation and interviewing, which I was keen to explore. Particularly appealing is the fact that although the LLB provides you with an immense scope of knowledge, it also prepares you to apply that information to real-life, practical situations....

I volunteered at the Civil Legal Advice Clinic as a student advisor. The responsibilities of a student advisor were varied, from interviewing clients on their matters, writing chronologies to send to the solicitor advisor, organising Zoom meetings between the client and solicitor, writing attendance notes after the solicitor meeting, and writing letters of advice or supportive letters for clients under supervision. The range of activities meant that I was developing organisational, writing, and research skills, and gaining confidence in interviewing clients. Doing the pro bono scheme at the time tied in great to what I was learning on the LPC. For example, I already had lessons in interviewing and advising....

I started doing Pro Bono work when I was around 16 through my college. The first clinic I worked for was run by the Salvation Army, accepted walk-ins, and was staffed by a retired QC, a couple of barristers, one solicitor and a host of Middlesex Law students. My main responsibility was to assist with the interview service users, take notes and sit in for the advice sessions - from this experience I knew that I was interested in continuing with pro bono work. In my second year, an email from the university was circulated detailing a pro bono opportunity with Blackfriars Settlement—I applied and was accepted as a cover in the first term and a volunteer in the second. This clinic gave me the opportunity to actively triage clients and allowed me to become more responsible for the information collected and passed onto the solicitor. Around the end of my time with Blackfriars, I volunteered with Civil Day Clinic; this was a totally different experience from what I had done before. Civil Day gave me the opportunity to interview clients, conduct research on the legal issue presented as a part of a small team, and then inform the client of their options and rights in their matter. In the next few weeks, I hope to start volunteering at a small local housing law clinic....

I decided to study at The City Law School because of many reasons. The City Law School has an academic reputation as well as many outstanding alumni. I wanted to study under the best minds hence I knew The City Law School was for me. Location Firstly, the location stood out for me when deciding to study at The City Law School. The best thing about the university is that it is right in the centre of London. I am easily able to get around London to attend employer events, open days at Law firms or work experience. Since, the Law School is based in a central location it has proved to be a huge benefit for my course. As a result, it makes travelling easier as I am not restricted to certain areas. Also, I knew by attending City, University of London it has a friendly community and I will feel comfortable whilst attending University....

Sarwan Singh, Director of Pro bono discusses the opportunities available to you whilst studying at City, and why Pro bono is a good chance to develop your CV before you graduate. https://youtu.be/82YjzpftrnA

What is Pro Bono? Pro bono work is legal advice that is provided free of charge by legal professions. This support tends to be given to charities, individuals or groups who cannot afford the cost to seek legal advice. Law students should utilise some of their free times to support vulnerable people. This is a great way to give back to society but is also a way for you to broaden your communication and interpersonal skills and expand your network....

Written by: Anisa Khatun, 2nd year LLB student                                                                                                                    What is networking?...

Written by: Anisa Khatun, 2nd year LLB student What is a Micro-placement?...

Meet 3rd year LLB (Hons) Law student Maira who shares her experience on the course and at City, and her advice for future students. https://youtu.be/sxLAoIQ9aGg  ...

Second year LLB student Maira describes her experience of moving from Italy to London, and shares insight into the exciting experiences you can explore whilst in the capital. https://youtu.be/Mmc9-GEZXc4

Director of Mooting, Emily Allbon shares an insight into what Mooting is, the competitions that take place throughout your time at City, and how you can get involved. Mooting Intro 2020-21 from Emily on Vimeo.

Starting university can be a fun but also daunting time. Thats why out CityBuddy programme helps to settle those nerves, even before you start your course! You will be paired with a second or third year student who will be there to mentor you during your first term. https://youtu.be/g6qVA3J7oCE  ...

Tuna, LLB alumni and former City Student’s Union President shares her experience of studying at The City Law School, why she enjoyed the course and the support she received whilst at City. https://youtu.be/89LkaVKo61c