We caught up with LPC student at our Bristol campus Chloe Orledge about what inspired her to pursue law, and to get a snippet on how she balances working a part time job alongside her studies.
By Elena Carruthers. Published 10 July 2023. Last updated 04 October 2023.
Having previously studied my full-time LLB at The University of Law’s Bristol campus, it seemed obvious to me that this worked best for my lifestyle, so worked well when moving on to the LPC. I am also a sponsored LPC student and so my firm specified that I should study the course on a full-time basis.
I have found that although studying a degree full-time can be time consuming, but with good time management and organisation skills, you can happily study, work a part-time job, and have time for hobbies and social commitments.
It is so important for study to be flexible so that you can achieve a good balance between your study and the other priorities in your life. I have been studying alongside working a part-time job and working as a student ambassador for the university. I also have hobbies which take up a few evenings a week and it is important for me that I have time to see my friends and family. Because of this, flexibility in the way that I choose to study is important.
I first knew I wanted to be a solicitor when I stared studying law at A-Level. I had never considered a career in law before that and chose the subject as a shot in the dark and ended up loving it. From there, it seemed obvious to me that a law degree would be the best next step to attain a career in law and The University of Law was the perfect place for me. I attained a training contract after a round of applications in my second year and attending a couple of vacation schemes.
I commute on to campus from around an hour away. This has worked ideally for me as it has allowed me to continue living at home whilst travelling into the city for university, saving me money and allowing me to continue to live in the place I love. Bristol is a great city to be a student in, there is always something going on. There is so much to explore, whether you’re grabbing a coffee in the business district, near where the university campus is located, or going for evening drinks on the harbour, there is lots to see and do.
Fortunately, the Bristol campus is primely located a five-minute walk from the main train station in the city, which is perfect for commuters like me. Whilst commuting, I like to listen to music and enjoy the picturesque journey into university. I sometimes use this time to catch up on university work or do some reading.
I initially discovered the university at my local UCAS fair that I attended in college. I later attended an open day where I was welcomed by a friendly team of current students and lecturers. I loved the campus and the feel of community within the university. For me, it was a perfect choice as it would allow me to commute into Bristol and study at an amazing institution.
The lecturers are very approachable and apply practical knowledge that they learned whilst working in practice to their teaching. The careers team are proactive from day one and were also a great help in aiding me when applying for vacation schemes through reviewing my applications to helping me with assessment centre preparation and mock interviews. You will meet the careers team within your first week and they will actively encourage you to engage with them throughout your time at university to ensure that you have the support you need.
The fact that all resources to facilitate your mandated reading are provided is also very useful. On all courses, you will be given listed reading that you should complete weekly to supplement your learning. This is provided to you either electronically or you are sent the hard copies of books on all postgraduate courses. This saves the cost of buying multiple legal textbooks for your reading as you might have to at other institutions.
My best piece of advice for a student considering studying a course full-time is to make sure that you are able to stay on top of deadlines and your workload by allotting time in a diary or calendar so that you are able to stay organised.
Learn more about our different study modes and start your academic journey, your way.
