I was particularly attracted to the idea of studying in a postgraduate institution that was composed of some of the most outstanding institutes in the world. IALS has an enviable reputation as the premier postgraduate legal institution in the UK, especially surrounding international and financial law.

Benedict Turner, Alumni, LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law

 

My name is Ben and I come from Newport, South Wales. I am currently a PhD candidate with the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS), and previously studied their LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law.

I started my academic studies with a BA in Ancient History and Religious Studies at Cardiff University, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law (also at Cardiff University). I then went on to pursue a master's degree in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law.

Whilst I was working within the financial services sector, I found that I really enjoyed this aspect of law. The firm I was working for was a large international business, so this also generated interest for me to learn in greater depth about the international aspects of financial and business law.

When I decided that I wanted to study for an LLM I found out about the School of Advanced Study (SAS) and IALS, via Google and Prospects.ac.uk. After reading about the course I knew that it would provide me with a significant skill set and academic knowledge that would make me more attractive for training contracts with potential law firms.

Thanks to this reputation, we had the opportunity to be taught by the best academics in the field. This was provided not only by IALS’ own staff but other lecturers handpicked from the best universities in the UK. This included Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, UCL, Kings and Queen Mary. I do not believe that I would have had such brilliant teaching in any other UK institute. Not only were the tutors the very best, they were also very generous with their time. I have not experienced such high levels of contact time (both face to face and online) in any other university.

The library really is the most exceptional attribute of IALS, with unparalleled access to materials and the largest amount of specialist law librarians in its employ anywhere in the UK. These attributes, I believe, make IALS the place to study for any truly serious legal researcher.

I found the course to be everything I thought it would be: informativeengaging and, of course, fun! I did initially juggle work and study which, thanks to lectures being arranged in the evening, I found very easy. I didn’t need to relocate to attend this course; I was able to travel in from Newport to London to study several times a week with little hassle.

Thanks to the teaching and no small amount of hard work, I graduated with distinction on the LLM. This, along with the networking opportunities provided by the course, and the academic weight a University of London degree carries, has meant that I have been appointed Sessional Lecturer in International Investment Law at the University of Reading and have been put forward to run four LLM modules there beginning in September this year.

Benedict Turner, Alumni, LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law

Not only has it helped academically but the degree has helped boost my CV. I have been accepted to begin the BPTC - the Barrister training course - in London in September and have been shortlisted for an advocacy scholarship. I’m positive I have the knowledge and skills taught in the LLM at IALS to thank for the opportunity.

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LLM in International Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law

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