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No LSAT required
Hi! My name is Joelsa, I’m studying here at Leeds Beckett University in the LLB program from Ontario, Canada and I thought I'd share a little about my experience; everything from making the decision to study in the UK, to moving to a whole new country by myself and everything thereafter.
Should I Stay or Should I Go
From the beginning of high school I had planned to study law so after I finished my undergrad at the University of Ottawa, I set my sights on studying for the Law School Admission Test. The LSAT was being offered online, no large gatherings and all, and I absolutely did not want to take a test that was going to determine if I needed to choose a different career path. It just seemed so daunting and not something I wanted to do. I turned to a family friend who was a lawyer to ask for some guidance on how to navigate the whole thing and that’s when she told me she had gotten her degree in the UK, no LSAT required. I was immediately intrigued and began researching about how one even goes about studying in another country. After hearing back from all the schools I had applied to, I finally got an acceptance to my number one choice, Leeds Beckett, and thus began my journey to Leeds and LBU.
The Journey
Once I finished running through the house screaming that I got in, it was time to lock in and start preparing for the move. I needed to find accommodation, apply for a student visa, get my student loans in order, the tasks were endless. I did things in order from least to most stressful, just to spice things up a little. I settled my accommodation agreement at Marsden House; Canadian student loans secured, now it was time to apply for my Visa. Full disclosure, the visa process nearly made me quit entirely, so many papers to sign and pictures to take I think I breathed two full breaths during the entire process. With the help of my advisor and my parents, we finally got approved and it was time to make the big move.
The Destination
Touching down in the UK was the best and scariest moment of my life. It was hard saying goodbye to all my friends and family, their support and confidence in me encouraged me and made me so much stronger during this time in my life. I am also so grateful that my mom made the initial trip over with me as well to help me get settled. She was able to explore Leeds with me, meet my roommates who are now lifelong friends, and see me off. The excitement I had to start the semester and begin my law school journey was palpable. Leeds is a city so full of life and energy, the transition from good ole Hamilton didn’t seem so bad. I quickly discovered that Leeds is a great place for doing things out on the town with friends. If you want to get jiggy with it or get a couple pints with the boys Leeds has a plethora of pubs and clubs to visit with your group of friends after a long week of classes (Spoons and Slug & Lettuce are my personal faves). Hungry? Visit The Light and their many restaurants and then maybe even catch a movie or discover how fast your friends can escape a locked room at Escape Hunt. There’s so many things to discover in Leeds, every day a new adventure, so I make the most of it when I can.
Hitting the Books
Welcome Week was a great opportunity to meet my peers and lecturers, basically get a feel of what the year will look like. The amount of guidance, encouragement and overall support from the faculty and the university was overwhelming in the best way. They want nothing from you but your absolute well being and I really appreciate that, being someone who struggles with anxiety, this helped quell any fears I had about the program and any difficulties I might face. Among the subjects I learned in first year Criminal and (unpopular opinion) Public law were my favourites. Sure, constitutional law doesn’t sound too interesting at first but once you get into the nitty gritty and you’re taught by amazing lecturers like Agatha Fijalkowlski, you’ll be a constitution connoisseur by the end of your first year. Aside from actual law you learn essential skills like creating a CV and how to prepare for an interview, all things that will certainly be useful for you after completing your degree, Leeds Beckett doesn’t miss a thing when it comes to preparation.
Started From the Bottom Now We Here
As I head into level 5, I’m starting to think about what kind of law I want to go into, if I want to be a barrister or solicitor (there is no distinction in Canada however, all lawyers do both jobs), and as a girl who struggles to make decisions this is taking a lot out of me. At the moment my interests lie in criminal family and human rights law (niche, I know). I might even take a shot at working with the Innocence Project and fight to get the wrongfully convicted the justice they deserve. As I continue my LLB journey I know that with all the wonderful people at the Faculty of Law and my personal support system I will be able to find and do something that I am passionate about after graduating. If you’re looking for a school where you can feel at home while studying what you love and gaining so much valuable knowledge, about life and school and everything in between, I cannot speak enough about how Leeds Beckett is the place for you.
- Joelsa
Student Accommodation in the UK
Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!
Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).
Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
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Visa for European Students who want to study in the UK
Do you want to study in the UK and are wondering if you need a visa? Maybe you have applied to British universities already, or are considering applying to university in London or elsewhere in the UK, but would like to know more about the UK student visa for European students? This webinar recording is about the UK Student Visa for students who will be starting their studies at a British university and are from European countries. We cover everything regarding the CAS, the application process, cost and other practicalities worth thinking about when applying for a student visa.
Did you know that all non-UK students need a visa to study in the UK? How much does a student visa cost? Is it difficult to get a student visa if you want to study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? For most European students in the UK, a student visa is now a fact.
After the UK left the EU, student visas have now become a reality for the vast majority of international students. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with this process as early as possible, so that you are well prepared when the time comes to submit an application for a student visa. In this webinar recording, we will go through useful information about student visas, when to apply, what you need for the application, costs, and other tips and tricks that can make the process easier. This webinar is suitable for those who have already applied, those who have accepted an offer, but also those who are considering studies in the UK and want to know more about the visa process.
We have the information and tools most people need to be able to go through the visa process without the need for individual follow-up/advice beyond the general information and guide from us. Remember that Across the Pond cannot provide individual advice on your visa application, only certified immigration staff can. In this webinar recording, you will learn about a number of important points that are good to be aware of when you familiarise yourself with the visa process.
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Digital meeting with a Student Advisor
Book an online session with an advisor with Across the Pond to learn more about studying in the UK!
- Make sure you book the meeting at least 2 days ahead of time
- If you want to talk over Skype, make sure your Skype is working as it should and that you have connected with your advisor before the meeting starts to avoid losing valuable meeting time
- If you do not use Skype and prefer to talk over for instance Teams, just type that into the "Skype-ID" field and we´ll arrange to send you a meeting link via Teams (you do not need a Microsoft Teams user)
