My Law School Experience: Why you should study law at Queen Mary University of London

13 January 2025

Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Nikita Toma Yakushev, I was born and raised in Cyprus – a small island situated south of Greece and Turkey. I have always loved studying history and have extensively explored global politics. Simultaneously, I have always had a passion for mathematics and exploring 20th-century advancements in physics. So why Law? Why not accounting or engineering?

Beyond the fact that I have always aspired to become a lawyer, the law fascinates me. It is all around us, underpinning the simplest actions within society. Laws build the constitution of every nation, establishes the boundary between right and wrong, and profoundly shape even international relations. Thus, studying law has always held my interest.

And so, I read several books, completed internships, participated in multiple Model United Nations programmes, and ultimately applied to study law in the UK. Let us now consider the transition from school to university and my experiences so far.

For most of us, university marks our first step into adulthood. You finally gain the freedom many teenagers yearn for, but it comes with new responsibilities. One significant responsibility, often overlooked, is the importance of your first year. Even the highest-paying law firms primarily assess your university grades rather than the institution’s name or your secondary school performance. At the start of my first term, I spent weeks panicking. Never in school had I been tasked with reading 450 pages. How was I meant to take notes on all of that? What should the notes include? These were just a couple of the countless questions running through my mind. But I persevered. I tried different approaches until I found what worked for me. The university is worlds apart from school, but you can significantly lighten the load by surrounding yourself with supportive academics and peers.

So let us discuss Queen Mary’s academics. At Queen Mary, we have some of the most elite professors, and I am not being biased. Every tutor is approachable and accessible. For example, I once needed to consult Rupert Seal, a senior lecturer in property law, about structuring problem questions. He spoke with me for nearly an hour – despite being amid marking formative assessments and juggling countless tasks. This emphasises the exceptional academic support at our university. Professors provide detailed feedback on every formative assessment and are committed to helping you succeed from day one, always making time to engage with students.

Moving on to Queen Mary’s social environment. I live with my family in west London, which means I commute. However, I would strongly recommend living in student accommodation in your first year, if circumstances allow. Queen Mary may be one of the top Russell Group universities, but the students here are far from aloof. My peers who live in halls frequently share how everyone is friendly, tidy, and highly sociable. Our Student Union is highly regarded across London universities and consistently organises events for everyone to enjoy. There is also a wide variety of societies to join beyond academics, from football and fencing to skiing – ensuring you will never be bored.

Lastly, let us discuss career opportunities, specifically the solicitor route, as that is the path I am pursuing and have the most experience with. Two decades ago, your choice of university and degree played a pivotal role in your legal career. Today, however, top law firms focus predominantly on grades and extracurricular achievements. To illustrate, more than a dozen third-year students at Queen Mary have secured contracts with elite firms such as Clifford Chance, A&O Shearman, and Latham & Watkins. As first-year students, we apply for insight schemes, which are two- to three-day sessions at firms to gain insight into their operations. So far, I have attended one at Milbank LLP, one of the world’s leading finance law firms, and participated in many open days at other high-end UK firms. Reflecting on my peers’ successes, several have joined me at these open days, and one has recently been accepted into Hogan Lovells’ Launch Pad - one of the most competitive opportunities for first-years. As such, with Queen Mary’s proximity to major firms – just 20 minutes away from the City – the university provides unparalleled career opportunities. Ultimately, it is down to you to balance your studies, applications, and social life effectively.

In conclusion, the one question I would give you to think about is whether you would prefer to go to a university which provides all the support you need to get a first-class degree and where you can secure the job of your dreams, or go to a university where there would be little support and filled with competition between you and your peers. Though I have only completed one semester at Queen Mary, I cannot emphasise enough how delighted I am with my decision to study here. The university is located in one of the world’s greatest cities, brimming with opportunities. The academics are truly outstanding and offer unwavering support throughout your studies. The student community is incredibly diverse and welcoming, and always ready to lend a hand or have a chat.

I hope to see you on campus next fall!

Recommended Books:

• The Rule of Law, Tom Bingham
• What About Law?, Catherine Barnard, Janet O’Sullivan and Graham Virgo

by Nikita Toma Yakushev