Nafia Haque

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

The law field is changing rapidly and without additional degrees, it's becoming more and more difficult to flourish in this field, and even to get a job.

So, I decided early on that I needed to pursue a postgraduate degree, and my colleagues and teachers told me the same thing. It was also for experience.

The Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme is essentially a training course and it helps you become prepared for the field.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

I had finished my LLB and LLM, which are both quite similar degrees. They are not that focused on the practical side of law, which is all that the BVS is.

It mainly focuses on practising in a courtroom and as a Barrister, which is quite an intimidating change from the other two degrees. However, I also really enjoy it, which is surprising to me.

Were there any challenges affecting your decision to study a postgraduate degree? If so, how did you overcome them?

There was the aspect of moving to a different country to pursue this degree but I overcame it through the support of my family and friends. Another aspect is that I had to put two jobs on hold to pursue my postgraduate studies.

This was quite difficult because I was comfortable there and did not want to uproot it all. But I'm glad I made this decision.

Why did you choose City St George's?

City St George's was my first choice because it is one of the top schools to study the Bar course. And their demeanour was quite friendly before and after I applied, which was nice.

I was also impressed with the qualifications of all the tutors teaching at City St George's, just knowing that I would be greatly trained by them.

How are you finding studying in the UK?

I find it quite refreshing. The teachers are really nice and supportive, and so are people in general. London is especially nice because of the diversity aspect of it.

Meeting new people here is wonderful because you get to hear about their background and culture and you don't truly feel alone in this strange city.

The only difficulty of being away from home is that I miss my family, but the people here are really nice and sympathetic, which is amazing.

What does a typical week at university look like for you?

The BVS is quite a hectic course, so the week usually contains a lot of preparation for classes and then attending the classes themselves, and repeating that entire routine again.

I try to go out on the weekends with friends when I can, but it's rarely every week. I do some part-time jobs within the university but it is usually just covering an event.

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My favourite module has been Advocacy, mainly because it is very different from anything taught in Law School. I’m also pleasantly surprised that this is my favourite module as I have a fear of public speaking but studying this has helped me overcome that by a long shot.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

Public speaking and dealing with clients. These are aspects of my field which used to scare me because I am not good with social engagements or any kind of speaking.

But in this course, you are assessed on these skills and must do well in them. So, this course has definitely helped me achieve and hone these skills.

What opportunities and experiences has City St George's offered you so far?

City St George's has offered a lot of opportunities such as sports, language classes and a plethora of societies to join. They also arrange workshops and career fairs, and also have a careers service.

The most useful opportunity I have found is their collaboration with Unitemps, which offers students temporary jobs within the University giving them flexibility and an opportunity to earn money while studying.

What are your career plans and how has City St George's prepared you for them?

My career plans are to work in corporate law, and City St George's has been incredibly helpful in this, by arranging career fairs and workshops featuring people already working within this field.

Hearing their own experience has helped me immensely. It has also helped me build contacts and get an idea of what this field is actually like.

What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?

I would advise them to go for it to be honest. Most people are confused about whether to pursue a postgraduate degree in the first place, especially in law.

It will only help and is also an invaluable experience. Particularly for international students - living in a different country, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures is just amazing.