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Meet Ayesha, a Bar Vocational Studies (LLM) student pursuing a career as a barrister in crime and family law. In this interview, Ayesha shares how they balance vocational training, placements, and extracurricular activities while maintaining her creative interests and wellbeing.

Course: Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) LLM

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Laws LLB from the University of Bristol

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan​

Learning and Career Goals

Why did you choose City St George’s and your specific programme for postgraduate study?

​​​​​I’ve always known that I wanted to become a barrister, so after my law degree, the next step was to do the bar course. I chose the Bar Vocational Studies (LLM) programme at City St George’s because it was well-renowned, it allowed me to pursue hands-on work experience through the Clinical Legal Education module in the LLM, as well as allowing me to take Specialism modules beyond the compulsory ones, giving me the freedom to personalise my degree.​

What are your current plans or hopes for your career?

​​​​I want to become a barrister, specifically one that practices in crime and family. My postgraduate degree is the vocational component of my training as a barrister, and once I finish it, I will be called to the bar.​

What professional opportunities have been most valuable to you so far?

​​​The opportunities I have found most valuable this year have been procured through my inn, Inner Temple. I have attended networking events and Qualifying Sessions to improve my knowledge and skillset.

Through the Clinical Legal Education module in my LLM, after an extensive application process, I was selected to be in a small team of students volunteering with Amicus on US death penalty appeals. Attended the two weekends of training for my work with Amicus was informative and made me aware of quite a few legal work opportunities. Furthermore, the City Law School partnered with the AIRE Centre, which is a legal charity that works on human rights cases, to offer a paid position to one student. I am grateful to have been successful in the application process and to have landed the role of “Fundraising and Communications Assistant”, a position which is well-placed to set me up for my legal career and has already taught me a lot.

In addition, I have found various other work opportunities at City St George's, including as a Widening Participation Ambassador, a Schools Liaison Ambassador, a Marketing and Events Ambassador and Postgraduate Ambassador for the Law School.​

How would you describe the teaching or learning style within your School (or course?)

For my course of Bar Vocational Studies (LLM), the majority of teaching is conducted through tutorials (of around 12 people) and small group sessions (of around 6 people). The resources and instructions on Moodle are clear and helpful, and in order to make the most of a tutorial, it is essential to prepare fully beforehand. The teaching staff are attentive and there are plenty of opportunities for one-on-one feedback. Our Advocacy classes allow each student to perform, and the performance is recorded for the student to view and use the feedback to improve. The degree requires a lot more self-study and self-discipline than undergrad, and it’s up to you to take advantage of the opportunities for feedback along the way.​

Campus, Community, and the City

What do you like to do for fun outside of your studies?

​​​I have always loved theatre, and this past year I got involved in the Inner Temple Drama Society’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” I am now a member of the Inner Temple Drama Society’s committee, so will have the chance to produce three showcases this year!

I’ve also set a goal of watching as many West End performances as I can while I’m in London. I’ve also discovered a love for watching comedy shows and have become a frequent visitor of various comedy clubs across London. I have also been more involved in the queer community, and love attending a Queer Boardgames Night every month, through which I’ve made some wonderful friends. I also do embroidery for fun and have recently started gaming on my new Nintendo Switch. However, these days, my favourite hobby has been reading fantasy novels on my Kindle!

How has living in London shaped your experience as a postgraduate student?

​​​Before moving to London, I was quite intimidated by living in such a big city by myself, but London has pleasantly surprised me. I have grown extremely fond of the city and love how there’s always something to do here. As a PG student, I think London is definitely the city to be in to explore more of yourself outside your academics, make connections and discover your interests and who you are.​

Tips for New Postgraduates

What challenges did you face early on in your postgraduate journey, and how did you overcome them?

​​There is a big responsibility as a postgraduate to manage your time and prepare for your classes. In the beginning, I struggled with how much there was to do in terms of content and materials, and it often felt like there weren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. I have since accepted that it would be nearly impossible to always be on top of things, especially for a degree as extensive as mine. Now, I do the best I can and have learned to prioritise key responsibilities – but I am also aware of my limits and have allowed myself to take breaks and rest, which is essential to prevent burnout, especially as a neurodivergent student.​

What is one piece of advice you would give your past self before starting postgraduate study?

​​My biggest piece of advice would probably be to embrace the chaos! Studying as a postgraduate student is very different compared to undergrad and it takes a while to get the hang of things, so if I could do it over again, I would be kinder to myself and be more accepting of how much there is to do without over-extending myself.​

Ayesha is on the Big Network!

Join our Postgraduate Offer Holder Community on Unibuddy  to chat with Ayesha about The City Law School and meet fellow offer holders on your course.