Law School: The University of Manchester Version

From Suits to the Real World of Law

I have wanted to study law and become a lawyer for as long as I can remember. Part of that came from witnessing first-hand how legal issues can affect people's lives and wanting to be in a position to help. And, if I am being completely honest, watching the glamour, ambition and fast-paced world of law on shows like Suits probably made the decision a little easier too!

So, when I arrived at the University of Manchester to study law, I thought I had a reasonable idea of what I was getting myself into. I had studied Law at A-level, after all. I quickly discovered that university law was a completely different experience.
 

Law School Is More Than Memorising the Law

The first thing that surprised me was the amount of reading.

There is a lot of it. Really, a lot.

It became completely normal for me to open my laptop whenever I had a spare few minutes and continue reading: between lectures, while waiting for friends, or even while I was cooking. At university, you quickly realise that simply knowing what the law says is not enough.

The examinations and essays require much more than memorisation. You are expected to analyse the law, question it and form your own arguments. Why does a particular rule exist? Is it effective? Are there problems with it? Should it be changed? How have judges and academics approached the issue differently?

That shift, from learning what the law is to understanding why it works the way it does, is one of the biggest differences I noticed between A-level and university.
 

My Biggest Tip: Learn How Your Course Works

If there is one thing I would tell a prospective law student, it is this: understand what is expected of you before you start trying to excel.

Every module can be slightly different, and so can its assessments. It is tempting to focus entirely on memorising cases, legislation and legal principles, but understanding how you will actually be assessed makes a huge difference.

Lectures are important, even when attendance is not compulsory. They allow you to engage with the material rather than simply reading it afterwards. And if you genuinely cannot attend, recordings are usually available.

For me, however, workshops have been just as important. Preparing beforehand, turning up ready to participate and discussing problems with other students helped me move from simply recognising a legal concept to actually understanding it.

And when something still does not make sense, ask.

Speaking to lecturers and tutors during office hours can be incredibly useful. Sometimes a difficult concept becomes much clearer simply by talking it through with someone who understands it from a completely different perspective.
 

Law School Doesn't End at the Lecture Theatre

One of the things I love most about studying law at UOM is that the degree opens doors far beyond your academic work.

Law is a competitive field, and getting good grades is important, but so is discovering what kind of lawyer you might want to become. University gives you the chance to explore that before you have to make those decisions.

At Manchester, there are countless opportunities to do this through careers fairs, society events, guest lectures, networking opportunities and legal competitions.

I have taken part in mooting and mock-trial competitions, volunteered through the Pro Bono Society, completed a summer school with Greater Manchester Law Centre and worked as a student advisor with a legal advice centre. I have also volunteered with Amicus and the Pankhurst Project.

Each experience has taught me something different. Some have strengthened my advocacy and communication skills; others have given me a better understanding of access to justice and the practical impact of law.

Most importantly, they have helped me figure out what I actually enjoy.
 

Find Opportunities Outside Your Comfort Zone

One of my favourite things about university is that you do not have to wait until graduation to start building experience.

There are opportunities to compete, volunteer, research, write, network and gain practical experience throughout the year. The University of Manchester has hundreds of student societies, including numerous law-related societies, so there is plenty of scope to find something that suits you.

And you do not have to know exactly what you want to do with your degree.

University is a good time to try things simply because they sound interesting. You might discover a passion for advocacy through mooting, an interest in human rights through volunteering, or an area of law you had never considered before.
 

Don't Forget to Be a Student

With an academically demanding degree, career applications, competitions, volunteering and everything else that comes with university life, it is very easy to feel as though you should always be doing more.

But you also have to live your life.

Join a society that has nothing to do with law. Take up a hobby. Play a sport. Go for a walk. Cook something you have never made before. Get coffee with your friends. Take a day trip. Have a completely unproductive afternoon without feeling guilty about it.

For me, some of my favourite university memories have had nothing to do with law.

The friends I have made, the places I have travelled to, the spontaneous plans, the late-night conversations and the little moments in between everything else have been just as important as my academic achievements.
 

The Real Lesson of Law School

Studying law at Manchester has taught me that university is not simply about getting a degree.

It is about learning how to think independently, discovering what you are capable of, trying things that scare you, building relationships and figuring out what kind of future you want.

Yes, there will be enormous reading lists, difficult workshops, demanding exams and moments when you wonder why you ever thought studying law was a good idea.

But there will also be competitions you never imagined entering, opportunities you never expected, people who become lifelong friends and experiences that make all those late nights worth it.

And perhaps the most important thing I have learnt is that you do not have to choose between working hard and enjoying university.

- Aisha