UCLan’s Lancashire Law School prides itself on its national and international reputation, offering a range of law and criminology degrees. 

Employability is a key focus within the School and it enjoys beneficial links with industry professionals and businesses.

UCLan Law student Sabba Shah talks about her experience:

Studying within Lancashire Law School has enabled me to engage with a series of opportunities to increase and improve upon skills that are essential to the real life practise of law. 

This includes pro bono work as a qualified mediator with the UCLan Centre for Mediation and as a Student Advisor with the Citizens Advice Bureau during joint initiative ‘drop-in’ sessions.
 
With UCLan’s high level of international success in student competitions, participating in the internal rounds for mediation, negotiation and mooting have been incredibly insightful learning experiences, which I encourage all law students to take part in.
 
Pursuing these extra-curricular activities has led me to represent my institution nationally in alternative dispute resolution competitions against other universities and even to witness the William Bramwell Moot Final held at the Supreme Court, which was judged by then UKSC President, Lord Neuberger.

My main advice to any current or future UCLan student would be to seize the opportunities that you come across by just saying yes and to truly aim to maximise what you are able to walk away with from your university education as a whole. 

Such as, resuming or starting a sport with the clubs and facilities available on campus, as well as becoming an active member in academic or interest societies.

In my current preparation ahead of the BUCS Karate Championships, I train with the UCLan Shotokan Karate club, which is the same style of martial arts in which I earned a black belt by age 11. 

In re-entering this sport, having been ranked third nationally in my last S.K.I. competition some years ago, it has opened up a way to meet more students studying different courses. 

In addition, joining the Squash and Lacrosse teams further provide my schedule with balance in contrast to the intellectual rigour of studying.

Furthermore, the flexibility afforded by a more independent pace of study has enabled me to work full-time in a law firm for the duration of my holidays over the past two years and part-time as a Student Ambassador throughout the year, for which I have been promoted to the status of Senior.

By actively engaging with your studies, lecturers are extremely encouraging of and receptive to student feedback, which means the course is continually being improved to suit you. 

In working closely with the Student’s Union and being elected to roles such as Course Representative and chair of the UCLan Bar Society, my perception of the impact students are able to have has been substantially broadened.

Through attending various conferences, networking events and becoming a member of the Creative Communities Group, I have been able to make further connections and gain exposure to an array of volunteering opportunities to make a positive impact. 

This has been a direct result of attending events publicised or hosted by the university to boost the employability of its students.”

Lancashire Law School is also now working with UCLan’s Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise in offering students the opportunity to take part in the Launchpad Leadership Development Programme. 

The programme aims to develop students’ personal and professional skills, providing them with enhanced opportunities for work experience, business mentoring and networking; which will ultimately mean they can compete for the best graduate jobs in the UK and around the world.  It carries great responsibilities and great rewards. 

Sabba said, “As one of the first ever Lancashire Law School students to be selected for LaunchPad’s Leadership Development Programme,

"I have found the support and expertise offered thus far to be phenomenal. LaunchPad has enabled me to meet and work with other highly motivated students across different disciplines, whilst pushing me to find resilience in the face of physical and mental challenges.  

Through the process so far, not only have I learnt more about my own capabilities, but also a range of techniques on how to work with people in the most effective manner.”