Ulster University trip inspires future lawyers

Five of the College’s future lawyers flew over the Irish Sea to experience what studying at Ulster University could offer for their career paths after completing their A Levels.

Against the viscerally beautiful backdrop of Belfast, Ulster University boasts a place in the UK’s top five for Law, and the trip across to Northern Ireland was the perfect chance for our group of Law students to discover what makes it a leading centre of excellence.

Second year students Melissa Andrews, Laura Bridson, Megan Condliffe, Katie Lindon and Ryan O’Connor all have their sights set on legal careers after studying under the College’s expert A Level teachers, starting with undergraduate degrees in the subject.

Since the trip, several of the group have decided upon Ulster University as their first choice destination come September next year.

One of those is Melissa, who said: “I really liked the fact that they do a lot of mooting (court hearing simulations in front of a judge), that’s particularly important if you want to be a barrister, which I do. They’re actually the only university in the UK that makes mooting part of your assessment.”

Melissa continued: “The university has great connections too. One of their former students is now the youngest judge in Ireland, and second youngest in the UK, whom we met. Just being able to have that type of person as a contact can open a lot of doors for work experience and enhancing your CV.”

Of Belfast itself, Melissa said: “It was amazing. The murals on the walls were beautiful and you could really feel the history. Everyone was so friendly; buskers in the street were being clapped and cheered – it reminded me of Liverpool in a lot of ways.”

Law teacher, Adam Hall, who led the trip to Northern Ireland, said: “We’ve had good links with Ulster University for a few years and they invited five of our students who were looking at careers in Law to come over, all expenses paid.

“Given its prominence as a Law School, it’s a difficult university to get into as far as entry requirements, and we wanted to inspire the five selected students to see what they could achieve once they’ve worked hard enough to fulfil their potential at A Level.”

After describing how the students were treated to a guest lecture from the university’s Head of Law, as well as meeting past students and present and former judges to garner advice, Adam explained that the students took part in a mock trial with other guests from other colleges.

He said: “All the students did extremely well. They only had a lunchtime to prepare but took on all the advice that was offered by legal professionals and performed excellently. Belfast is an incredible city anyway, and the experience was an excellent opportunity for all five of them. It’s great to know that they are seriously considering studying Law at top universities like Ulster.”

More students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College went on to study Law at university last year than they did from any other Wirral sixth form.