What is it like studying in the School of Law? Here are some views from our current or recent students.
"In my time at the University of Bristol I have been educated by renowned legal minds, consistently had the support of great staff and had so many opportunities in every aspect of my life.
Academically, the Bristol Law faculty demands high standards: the classes are rigorous, challenging and rewarding. The excellent facilities enable students to meet those standards: the Wills Memorial Library is well stocked, has wi-fi and the system also allows external access to key legal databases worldwide (a real bonus during exam periods).
In my third year I studied at the University of Kyushu, Japan, on a one year study abroad programme. The opportunity to spend an academic year in Japan learning the language, studying the culture and travelling in Asia was an absolutely unparalleled experience – a sentiment shared by those on study abroad projects in other areas of the world.
Bristol students work hard; but they play hard too. Bristol’s nightlife is fantastic and I’ve been involved with everything from sports (a half marathon to netball) to drama (with PantoSoc) to other clubs (such as the URNU – University Royal Navy Unit). The Law Society organises spectacular balls, mooting and debating competitions as well as providing each student with exceptionally large amounts of contact with the legal and business worlds outside Bristol – invaluable for later career decisions.
The more I think about my time at Bristol and my reasons for choosing Bristol, just one word keeps coming to mind: opportunity. For those who wish to grasp the opportunities on offer, the University of Bristol provides the opportunity to excel."
"As an international student coming from Bulgaria who wanted to study in England I chose the University of Bristol’s School of Law largely because of its reputation, its popularity with future employers, the wide range of facilities and the wonderful environment of the city of Bristol. Yet actually being here for three years now, I would not be exaggerating if I said the experience exceeded all my expectations.
All the lecturers are keeping up the high standard of education for which the School of Law is so famous, and the tutors are always there to make the best out of tutorials and seminars. Although getting up for a 9 o’clock Public Law or Jurisprudence Seminar every other week was a bit difficult at times, I believe every course here is extremely useful for a future career in law. In the course of time the students develop a real nexus with the tutors; and the support I received from my personal tutor and even from the library staff was outstanding.
One of the greatest advantages of the university is the wide range of student societies. Getting to know the English lifestyle, the culture and the country was a priority for me; participating in different societies such as the Photographic Society or the International Affairs Society gave me that opportunity. The societies related to law (Law Club, Debating Society and Mooting) are invaluable for discovering more about the law outside the curriculum and socialising with fellow students. My greatest experience is setting up a new law-related society, ELSA Bristol, the Bristol branch of the European Law Students’ Association. Having been the president for two years, I have had so many wonderful moments with our trips to London and abroad, with our seminars and speaking competitions, and with our social events.
I would heavily recommend studying in Bristol to anyone who is passionate about law, about meeting wonderful friends and about making the most out of your university years. I wish I could do it again!"
"One of the best aspects of studying Law at Bristol is the way in which I feel part of a community. Through the tutorial system I have got to know several members of staff, who have all been happy to be a point a contact for any problems I have had. The department is very friendly, and there is certainly a sense of solidarity between the students."
"When I think about my time at Bristol there is no one good experience that stands out; there are just too many. I arrived as an international mature student and was apprehensive about what a new country would be like. Would I fit in? Could I handle the work? Would I be able to understand the English accent?! As I very soon discovered, there was no need to worry. I could not believe how easy it was to fit in to University life. I immediately met a great group of people with whom I've remained friends throughout my three years of study. But besides good friends, what I will take away from Bristol is the experiences I obtained from the activities I was involved in - in particular the Law Clinic and Law Club Mooting competitions.
I was a member of the Law Clinic for all three of my years in the School of Law, first as a case worker, and subsequently as firm manager and then student Vice-Director. The Clinic was a hugely rewarding experience. It was great to be able to take what I was learning from lectures and tutorials and apply it to real life situations. I gained invaluable experience about working with clients, processing information and problem solving in the real world.
My experience of mooting was slightly different. It was a fantastic way of sharpening my understanding of legal problems and my research skills; it also greatly improved my confidence speaking, unrehearsed, in a public setting. But those points aside, it was also a wonderful way to meet people. All of the student mooters, as well as the lecturers and outside professionals who participated as judges, would go out for dinner after the moots had finished. So, no matter whether I won or lost I could always count on a great dinner afterwards! Through mooting, I met other students I would never otherwise have met. But I also got the opportunity to get to know my lecturers, many of whom judge the moots, better. It helped me to feel more comfortable in classes; and it meant that if I ever encountered a problem during my studies, there was a range of people who I felt comfortable approaching for advice and support."