Students’ views (part-time LLB)
Introduction to the Part-time LLB
Watch: Programme Director James Slater introduce and describe the Part-time LLB
Alumni stories
At Buckingham Law School, we are proud of the success of our students and graduates. You will find below what some of our recent part-time LLB graduates have to say about their time at Buckingham and how it helped their careers.
Watch: Helen Gardner, LLB 2019
Watch: Atiba Millington, LLB
Watch: Lauren House, LLB
Watch: Adam Sargent, LLB 2015
Katie Watkins (LLB 2021)
Richard Todd (LLB 2020)
Helen Gardner (LLB 2019)
Anne Swetnam (LLB 2018)
I joined the part-time LLB course in September 2013. I was looking to fill the gap that was going to be left once my daughter went to university. As a more mature student (then aged 51), I wondered if I would be able to keep to cope with a return to study. However, once I had a few assignments under my belt, there was no stopping me. I loved every minute of the course and really appreciated the time the tutors took to explain difficult and pivotal cases in depth.
Hannah Howard (LLB 2018)

Like many students on the part-time LLB at Buckingham, I had been out of education for some time when I started in 2013. I had gone to Warwick University at 18 to study English Literature, but I didn’t find it engaging so left in my second year. All I wanted was to work, so having just turned 21 I began my career as a police officer. 7 years of valuable life experience later, I realised it wasn’t what I wanted to do f
or the rest of my working life, so I started exploring my options. I wanted to study and, as I’d always thought I’d do the GDL after my English degree, law was an obvious choice.
Belinda Hamilton (LLB 2017)

I left school without taking any qualifications and had always felt that I never knew my academic capabilities. I spent my adult life wanting that piece of paper that stated that demonstrated what I was academically capable of achieving. In every job application and subsequent interview I had to explain my reasons for not taking qualifications and explain how, although I lacked the qualifications, I was more than capable of carrying out the role I was applying for.
Marcos Kauffman (LLB 2016)

The subject of law, and its impact on societies and businesses, has always fascinated me. However, due to entering the job market very young and focusing my studies on professional development around business, manufacturing and supply chain, I was unable to study law until later in my career, which brought me to the part-time LLB at Buckingham.
Melanie Thrower (LLB 2015)
Adam Sargent (LLB 2015)

I was approaching the end of my schooling years and was at a real crossroads with my future aspirations. I had studied law at both GCSE and A Level and had a desire to further my legal knowledge. It was through a friend of the family that I learnt about The University of Buckingham’s Part-time Law Programme. This programme instantly resonated with me, as I was able to “earn and learn”.
Frederick Appiah (LLB 2015)

Growing up, I never contemplated studying law, let alone working in the legal industry. Originally, my aim was to become an accountant. And so, after secondary school, I obtained a diploma in accounting and contemplated becoming a chartered accountant (ACCA). My search for an institution to pursue my ACCA certification led me to The University of Buckingham. The more I browsed on the University’s website, the more I fell in love with the University.
Nigel Smith (LLB 2013)
Nicola Maynard (LLB 2013)

From a young age I had an interest in the criminal law and my ambition was to practise as a solicitor in this field. I also knew when I left school that I didn’t want to take the conventional route of full-time university. Instead, I secured a position at a law firm as a receptionist at the age of 17. I made good progress and, in 2001, joined the Criminal Litigation Department as a paralegal. My supervising partner encouraged me to undertake my police station accreditation. Once this was finished he and another colleague, who had studied at Buckingham, spoke to me about undertaking the part-time Law degree at Buckingham.
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!
Lisa Buckridge (LLB 2010)

Although originally intending to go to university immediately after school, life and health got in the way. I was lucky enough to be taken on in a law firm as a paralegal and never lost sight of my dream of being a solicitor. It was my employer who suggested that I consider The University of Buckingham’s part-time Law degree as this offered the qualification I wanted with exceptionally high quality teaching. She had also done her degree at Buckingham and being the head of a successful department in a large firm in Milton Keynes, I was happy to follow her advice.
Tamara Barbeary (LLB 2010)
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.
Clarence Philipneri (LLB 2010)
Wadzanai Richardson (LLB 2010)
While working as an administrator, I was persuaded to study law on a part-time basis and The University of Buckingham was the perfect choice for me. The course structure allowed me to continue to work full time and study at the same time. As I continued to work, this meant that I was able to pay for my own university fees without getting into any debt.
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.
Matt Boddington (LLB 2007)
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. Read Ian’s story.
Marcia Killen (LLB 2007)
Samantha Wilson (LLB 2006)
After having children at a relatively young age and prioritising my family commitments over my own ambitions for some years, it was always my plan to return to education and study for a Law degree, with the aim of being a solicitor. The part-time course at Buckingham enabled me to put my plan into action, even when combined with a job and three children.
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.
Suzanne Bullock (LLB 2001)
Andy Goves (LLB 1999)
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. Read Andy’s story.