Alumni
Tamara Saunders (LLB 2011)
“It had long been a personal ambition to study for a law degree, but being a working mother of three children, I knew that a full-time course would not be possible. When I found out that I could study for the LLB (Hons) (a law degree) part-time at Buckingham, I was delighted and decided to take the plunge.
“There is no doubt that the course is tough but the lecturers are of such a high calibre, they inspire you to push on and succeed. I certainly appreciate the personal weekly contact in the form of seminars. Balancing a day job and family with studying many evenings and often at weekends is extremely challenging, and requires a great deal of self-discipline, but it can be done and it is very rewarding. There are also the traditional holidays to catch your breath, including the long summer so it is not all work, work, work… However, you need to be prepared to balance the workload and assignment deadlines with life’s other commitments, especially during term time.
“The subjects are varied and the lecturers bring them to life so that they become very interesting. There is also a good network of support amongst the students and a strong sense of camaraderie. I am now nearly halfway through and am determined to press on, complete the degree, and look forward to the career options that will arise as a result.”
Laura Vasiliu (LLB 2011)
“Why did I choose to join the Buckingham part-time law degree? Partly because I knew it has a very good reputation, and partly because I was convinced that it had to offer the most stimulating, intellectual and diverse environment…. and I wasn’t wrong!
“As a foreigner living in the UK and looking to take a degree, I also wanted to have the opportunity to be part of a relatively small and intimate programme so that I would feel included, rather than just being anonymous, and I am glad to say that this has been my experience from the first moment I entered the Buckingham University premises. The tutors are a true inspiration and it’s a privilege to share the passion with which they teach.
“I found that the support given every step of the way and the resources provided are fantastic to help you to achieve the best of you at all times, especially for a foreign student such as myself.
“My experience so far as a law student has been very challenging, but it has been worth it. Despite the commitments and high demands I have towards my job, I have found that working with passionate people and receiving their encouragement is very rewarding.
“So I encourage you to step in regardless of what you plan to do after law school, as the moments and experiences here will remain with you for life.”
Rita Acquaah (LLB 2010)
“I had always wanted to do a degree programme but the last thing on my mind was to pursue a daunting course like a law degree. My main challenge was to find something that would allow me to continue working full-time, study and attend lectures without compromising on my working hours. After a lot of research, I found that the part-time law degree with the University of Buckingham would meet all my needs. I must say I was very reluctant to take on a programme which I knew would be time-consuming and required me to commit 4 years. However, the person I spoke to at the University encouraged me to take up the course and, after serious thoughts, I decided to give it a try.
“I have not regretted my decision. The lecturers simplify the course. I have enjoyed every subject I have been taught. Also, the written support modules are very helpful, which is one of the advantages of pursuing the part-time degree with the University of Buckingham especially when working full-time. The Wednesday seminars are brilliant. It is not a lecture. We have very practical and interesting discussions.
“I am currently working in the Charity sector. The programme has given me a very wide understanding of the work we do, not to mention the confidence I have gained and am still gaining! Friends are already asking me for legal opinions! As to the future prospects I can already foresee job opportunities within my organisation but also beyond. If you are thinking of pursuing a career alongside working, I will certainly recommend this course. No doubt the thought of exams is intimidating, but they take place only once a year and the lecturers ensure you are very well prepared for them. I have often asked tutors for help via email, and their prompt responses are always appreciated, especially where EU law is concerned!”
Clarence Philipneri (LLB 2010)
“The law has always fascinated me, but my training was in accountancy and so my interest was more or less amateur in nature. However, my ongoing role as the Regional Financial Controller for a blue chip company and my regular contact with clients and suppliers involves complex legal and contractual matters, and this made me think seriously about a legal qualification.
“As a result, I decided to join the Buckingham 4-year part-time law degree. I have found the tutorials to be of a very high quality and the study modules extremely useful. The tutors are supportive and provide useful feedback, go through past exam papers and provide some useful tips in dealing with both problem and essay questions. Assignments throughout the academic year to strict deadlines keep the students focused and ready for the exams that take place in the summer.
“The part-time students sit for the same exams as the full-time students and overall I would say that Buckingham provides a highly focused qualifying law degree. Although privately funded, as an accountant I can certainly say it is ‘value for money’ and has helped me considerably in my career.”
Michael Chambers (LLB 2009)
“I have been a Project Manager for over 10 years, managing many complex initiatives for various blue chip organisations. However, about 5 years ago, I realised there was a gap in my range of skills, and that gap was legal know-how. I felt I would be in greater control of my projects if I also had a good understanding of their legal dimensions. This insight brought me to Buckingham Law School, and its 4-year Part-time Law degree.
“When I embarked on my law degree at Buckingham Law School, I was delivering projects that involved increasing dependence of legal factors. I have found that the Buckingham Law degree has played a significant role in my ability to assess the implications of these legal factors, not least because they no longer seem like double Dutch, allowing me to interact meaningfully with my lawyers and actively contribute to the solution of problems raised by legal regulation. Combining legal skills with my traditional delivery skills has made me a more versatile and resourceful manager.”
Maggie Ryde (LLB 2006)
“During my business career I have developed my various skills through maintaining a continuous programme of study relating either to my direct job function or to the interests of the Company that employs me, mainly relating to Health and Safety, Human Resources and Commercial Contract. This led me to the further need to understand more of the legal aspects associated with each of these areas.
“Clearly the first year of such an intensive course was rather daunting due to me being so much older (50+), however, with masses of support from the lecturers and of course my fellow students I quickly learnt that by working in small groups of like-minded students of various ages it was possible to bring together a structure to the learning process that helped put things into perspective. I am now approaching the end of the programme and consider that whilst the intensity remains constant the acquisition of knowledge has become more fluid in most areas.”
Marcia Killen (LLB 2007)
“Working at a solicitor’s office as a legal secretary I was persuaded to study for the examinations with the Institute of Legal Executives. It fitted in nicely with my work commitments and young family as I studied by way of a correspondence course.
“My family are all grown up and I now have time to pursue my own interests. I have always regretted being a rebellious teenager and not going to University so I decided to do a part-time Law degree. I wanted to attend a course where I could interact with other students and lecturers this time.
“I remember reading the student comments in the Prospectus I received and I particularly remember how enthusiastic they all were. I have to say that the enthusiasm is contagious.
“From the moment you walk in the door for your Induction Evening you are greeted by members of staff who are all passionate about their subjects. They inspire you with their enthusiasm and bring to life their subject with discussions based around real-life cases in the seminars. You cannot fail to be inspired.
“It all seemed a bit daunting at first but I soon settled into the routine of reading in preparation for the next seminar. I find the seminars put the coursework into perspective and help me understand a subject more clearly. Fellow classmates are very supportive and the staff are always on hand to help you out if they can. Everyone wants you to succeed.
“I expect I will always dread the exams – but I really do enjoy the course.”
Ian Mackenzie (LLB 2008)
“Law is traditionally a demanding and highly challenging discipline, requiring time consuming extensive library based research and study. Which would make studying Law part-time in addition to work or family commitments almost impossible. Thankfully, this is not an issue with the Buckingham course as all student are supplied with comprehensive module materials, which include all the relevant cases and references to further reading, which is also provided. So even the student on the tightest time schedule will be able to manage the reading commitments.
“The combined lecture seminar sessions are designed to be thought provoking and interesting with the first half dedicated to exploring the law in question, followed by a seminar session which is usually in the format of applying the subject to a problem scenario. Given that the study and practice of law is largely centred on problem solving, by introducing this skill from the start it allows students to be fully prepared for examination questions and the practice of law.”
Andy Goves (LLB 1999)
Deputy Chief Fire Officer
“I chose a law degree through my previous involvement in the fire service teaching all manner of legislation. The whole aspect of undertaking a demanding four-year course as a mature student has stretched my intellectual abilities and widened my personal horizons. I have found a huge level of personal satisfaction in achieving a difficult qualification. I started my course in 1994 as a Divisional Officer, my intention was to simply achieve a pass to help me with my career in the fire service. I achieved a 2:1 (Hons) at the end of the course, have been promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Officer and passed the Home Office interviews for the Brigade Command Course – when completed this will entitle me to graduate with an MA. I am probably the only Assistant Chief Fire Officer with a law degree in the UK fire service and this rare qualification will be in demand as the service faces an increasingly litigious future. The camaraderie from the small group of students with whom I studied has provided much needed mutual support and generated a network of friends in a range of different professions.”
Rodney Corner (LLB 1999)
Coroner
“Although I was a practising solicitor in the locality of Buckingham University I decided I needed the challenge of reading for the LLB (Hons) degree. I found it stimulating, rewarding and very hard work. It reinforced gaps in my knowledge of the law which inevitably widened over the years. I have benefited from the course in many practical ways in particular in course hearings involving breach of contract. I cannot speak highly enough of the course and of the lecturers who are of such high calibre.”
Suzanne Bullock (LLB 2001)
“One would not normally associate the time-consuming commitment to academic studies at the end of a working day, assignment deadlines and exam pressure with ‘great fun’ and yet surprisingly that is the way I look back at my part-time degree years.
“The subjects studied on the programme were interesting, the materials thought provoking, and every step along the way one was encouraged to probe a little deeper into matters rather than to simply accept them at face value. Everyone in my year had found the course challenging and rewarding, regardless of whether their motive for taking it was interest only, or the furtherance of their career.
“The course has also been a great opportunity to participate in ‘traditional’ student activities, in my case making new friends and exploring the pubs of Buckingham! Overall, it has been a very enjoyable step on my way to gain professional qualifications.”