Studying Law at the University of Warwick live chat 15 th April 2015 A note from IGGY: This was a very busy session, with lots of questions asked throughout. We were enthusiastically typing the whole time, and the thread became a bit hard to follow. It order to make it easier to get back to the information you re most interested in, some of the questions and answers have been rearranged into a more understandable order so you can see questions and their answers next to each other, rather than in their original chronological order. Jo Higbee: Hey there! Welcome to our session tajmyrtaza290: Thanks. Jo Higbee: We re very excited to begin this discussion. We'll just wait for a few more members to join before we kick things off, but do you have any questions you'd like to ask now so we can make sure we get to them within the session tajmyrtaza290: Actually I am not a Warwick offer holder but only joined to get some information about Warwick University. Jo Higbee: That's totally ok, we can answer those questions too :) Jo Higbee: Welcome to the session! We're excited to get underway with our representatives from the School of Law at Warwick Darshika97: Thank you Jo Higbee: Do you have any questions you'd like to ask us before we get going? We'll give the other members a few more minutes to get signed in. Darshika97: I was wondering, what differentiates studying law at Warwick from other universities? Jane Bryan: To answer your question, academically we offer a very full range of optional modules, including some novel ones such as Shakespeare and the Law and Law on Screen. Jane Bryan: We also adopt a 'Law in Context' approach which looks not only at the law but at how it fits into society. In addition, we offer a full range of opportunities to research as undergraduates and to study abroad. Darshika97: Thank you for your response Dr Bryan vinny239: Hi, I have been given an offer for the M100 course. I was wondering if I would be able to swap some modules with the ones offered on the law with business course?
Yasmin Hughes Pugh: Hi Vinny, you can swap modules. Some business modules are available to you in your second and third year, as all first year modules are compulsory. vinny239: Thanks Jo Higbee: Welcome to anyone who has just tuned in, we're so glad you're here. We're just taking some of your questions to get warmed up, and then we'll get to some of the questions you sent us ahead of time. So send them our way now! firtree: How many people will be on the M100 course this year? Marissa Beatty: @firtree - There will be around 280-300 undergraduates on the M100 course in eachyear Quynhanh : Hi, I'm M101 offer holder. Any potential classmates? Darshika97: You mentioned "studying abroad", which countries does this include? Navi: I am very interested in studying in Australia or Singapore, and I've noticed that this is not something that the university offers on the website, other than at Monash University. Is there any way that students could visit these countries for the year abroad, i.e. are the universities on the website the only two universities that students can go to outside of Europe? Jane Bryan: @Darshika and Navi: There are several options. The Year Abroad in English degree course allows students to visit a university for a year - universities include Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Hong Kong. The European law degree allows students to study in France or Germany for year. There are also options to study in other countries which can be negotiated by the department with individual student and the individual university Darshika97: @DrBryan - wow that sounds like a fantastic oppotunity, thank you. Phoebe: I was wondering, do you still offer places to applicants who receive AAB as opposed to the standard AAA offer on results day? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Pheobe- it depends if there are places available in relation to how many people meet their offers. If these places are not filled then it is the discretion of the admissions tutor. Jo Higbee: We are typing furiously over here!! You all have great questions Quynhanh : Is it possible to take a gap year when you are an offer holder? Will the university be willing to keep a place for me next year? Marissa Beatty: @Quynhanh - Good news! Warwick automatically defer places or students who are interested in taking a gap year Demi: Hi, My offer is AAA however I have already achieved an A* a year early (I am still doing three A levels this year). If I was to get AAB this summer could I still be accepted onto the course considering my total grades would be A*AAB? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Demi Yes, so long as you meet the AAA offer then you will be accepted. HollyG96: Hi, if an A-level is done in year 12 do you still accept them as part of the AAA offer? thanks Jane Bryan: @Holly Hello and thank you for your query. A levels taken early do still count.
HollyG96: Thank you firtree: How mnay hours a week would you be able to see your tutor? Marissa Beatty: @firtree Hi there - there are plenty of opportunities to see your tutors at Warwick. Aside from the 12 hours of contact hours for lectures and seminars, most if not all the teaching staff have set 'Advice Hours' and they are always checking their emails to! Makena: Hi, I was wondering why exactly should one choose warwick versus a city university? Is warwick really as dull as they say? Navi: Makena- my next question is similar to yours. If it really is "as dull as they say" are there not any activities that we can do when on campus? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Makena Hi, Warwick is fantastic in terms of both academia and the location. In terms of academia, Warwick is very different because it offers a 'laaw in context' approach and this is very unique to us. Additionally, we offer a range of modules that are very different including Shakespeare and the Law and Law on Screen. Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Makena Also, in relation to the location, Warwick is very campus based. So if you want a close-knit community where you can be close to your friends, lectures, seminars and shops then it is the place for you. It's really good for making friends quickly and never being on your own! Marissa Beatty: @Navi Definitely take a look at warwicksu.com! There's plenty to get involved with on campus as we are fortunate to have a fantastic Students' Union here Harnik: Hi, are there any oppurtunities to study a language or language modules as part of the 3 years course? Jane Bryan: Hello Harnik. There are opportunities to study a language as part of your course or as an extra-curricular course. As part of the course, a minimum level of proficiency is required. However, Warwick's language centre is first class and offers a wide range of opportunities to learn language and we also offer many opportunities to apply for funding to research abroad in vacations or study abroad as part of your course. HollyG96: I have an offer and I was just wondering how many people go on to become barristers after the law course on average? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @HollyG96 I am currently the President of the Bar Society at Warwick and this is our community of those aspiring to become a barrister within the university. The amount depends on the year group but it tends to be around 30 people. You should join the society (part of Law Society) as soon as you come. We do talks with barristers, drinks with Chambers and workshops to assist your career. HollyG96: wow that sounds great, thank you! Kavita : Hi, is there opportunities studying at warwick to under take pro bono work and legal advice etc? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Kavita The Warwick Law Society has a section dedicated to pro bono. This includes 12 different projects from the Death Penalty Project to Warwick for Women International. There is also the Law Clinic where you can volunteer a day of your time to see law in practice and do actual cases.
Kavita : Thank you so much Yasmin! tajmyrtaza290: The offer holders are given any scholarships? Jane Bryan: Hello @tajmyrtaza. There is information about scholarships here - http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/funding/fundingyourstudies/warwickusb/2015 entry. I hope that helps tajmyrtaza290: Is this offer only for the A levels students? tajmyrtaza290: Hi,Jo what is for the international students? Jo Higbee: Tajmyrtaza, the "offer holders" are anyone who has applied to Warwick and been given an offer to come next year, should they achieve certain results. I will send you information about international students soon - Warwick has a big international community and they offer lots of support. tajmyrtaza290: Thanks.Actully I got the news that till August 100 students globaly will be selected to study at WArwick.Can you give some information about that? Jo Higbee: Taj, Ive not heard anything about that, there are LOTS more than 100 international student here. If you have any information about what you've heard please send that to me and I'll take a look tajmyrtaza290: Thanks Jo.I will contact you on the site later on for my question. Jo Higbee: let's take a little pause here in the quesitons, so please hold any more until the end Jo Higbee: We'll answer the ones we have, but I realized we've never had a chance ot introduce ourselves! Quynhanh : Hi!!!!!! Can you give me first year reading list?? Quynhanh : And if i do take a gap year, what materials should i study in advance to prepare for the year after??? I'm going to work full time to gain experience as well. Marissa Beatty: @Quynhadnh - sorry for the delay! I took a gap year myself and I would say the best advice is just to enjoy it! There's not much to prepare but work experience is a great idea as it will keep your mind active Darshika97: On average, how many Warwick Students achieve Firsts? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Darshika97 In terms of law, getting a first is really down to how much work you put in. Like your A levels, you have to work really hard if you want to achieve the top. Roughly, however, about 6% of the year get firsts. vinny239: Can applicants who don't meet their offer be considered for the other degrees offered by the school of law? Jane Bryan: Hello Vinny, in the summer we consider how many places there are available and we do try very hard to match students with courses. Once you know your grades, please do get in touch and we will try our best to work with you. Kavita : Also come results day if I got lets say A*AB would that be accepted? Or are you adamant on AAA?
Jane Bryan: Hi Kavita, when your results are known, there will almost certainly by flexibility to accept A*AB. Kavita : Thank you for answering Jane! If the grades dropped to AAB I'm assuming that will not be accepted? Jane Bryan: If you miss your offer by a small margin, in the summer there can be some flexibility. I would advise you to call the department and speak to someone in person Kavita : Thank you for answering Jane :) Demi: Would you say that studying Law at Warwick is just as good as a London uni even though Law students in London are walking distance from courts such as he Royal Courts of Justice? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Demi Studying Law at Warwick is just as good as a university in London, perhaps even better! Don't be put off that Warwick is quite removed from London but it's very close on the train- only an hour or so. We have firms on campus around 2 times a day holding events for recruitment and Warwick is ranked 3rd in UK universities targeted by the largest number of the UK s top employers in 2014-2015. Jo Higbee: OK! Thanks for your patience. Sorry we never introduced ourselves. You should know who is answering your questions :) Jo Higbee: You may know me, I'm Jo the Community Manager for IGGY. I answer your questions on the site and take your feedback to make IGGY better Jane Bryan: Hello, I am the director of admissions for the law school. I am also a lecturer and I teach property law to all first year undergraduates and medical law as an optional module. Yasmin Hughes Pugh: Hi guys, I'm Yasmin and I'm a final year law student at Warwick. Marissa Beatty: Hi everyone! My name is Marissa and I am a second year law student at Warwick Jo Higbee: We'd like to make sure we answer the questions that were sent in ahead of time. Then once we're done we'll take your final questions at the end. *cue furious typing* hehe Yasmin Hughes Pugh: Question: are there any opportunities to study modules in a language as part of the 3 year law degree? Yes, you can study a language as part of your degree but you have to be proficient in that langauge. Additionally, you can learn a language outside of your degree by joining the Centre for Language and this will be done in the evenings. Moreover, you can join many language socieities and go along to their events. Marissa Beatty: In terms of choosing between Bristol and Warwick... you'll probably have seen answers to questions about the options for a year abroad already! I would say that the most important thing to consider when choosing between these two unis is whether you would want to be on a campus or in a city. It's really important you are happy with the environment - you'll be spending more time at your home university than abroad after all tajmyrtaza290: Well said Marissa.I agree with it. Yasmin Hughes Pugh: Question: does the first year count towards your grade? It does not. The first year is all about getting into your degree. You will have assessed essays but in essence, they will not contribute to your classification. The second year counts for 50% and the third year the other 50%, in a straight law degree (M100).
Jane Bryan: We have been asked about links with Spanish speaking countries. There are several opportunities. The University has a bursary scheme to allow students to conduct a research vacation project in a Latin American country. There are other sources of funding to research in a country of your choice during your summer vacation. Harnik: Just leading on from the question about languages is there a charge for evenng classes at the Centre for Language? Yasmin Hughes Pugh: @Harnik Yes there is. Jo will provide a link for you for additional information. Jo Higbee: Harnik, here is a link to the website of the language center, with a special section for prospective students! http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/languagecentre/ Harnik: Thank you very much Kavita : What sort of careers information and events does the law school typically hold? :) Marissa Beatty: @Kavita - there are plenty of careers opportunities on campus! In terms of legal careers, the student Law Society regularly organises events with City and regional law firms. There are also careers events for those looking to be a Barrister but Yasmin will be better at telling you about those! The university also holds big careers fairs throughout the year so you can get to know your options Jo Higbee: We've been asked a few questions about what makes Warwick's law department great, how it stands out from other departments. Yasmin and Marissa have some strong feelings about that, since they both chose to come here! Yasmin Hughes Pugh: In terms of differentiating Warwick from other universities, I think that it all depends on your personal feel for a university. My advice would be to go and visit and consider whether you can see yourself there. For me I loved that Warwick was campus based and I knew it wasn't too far away from the big cities like London and Birmingham. Also, I knew I wanted to work in the city, so Warwick was a nice break in between before leading the hectic London-lifestyle :) A note from IGGY: Due to a technical problem we lost a portion of the transcript that began here. We are very sorry, but invite you to ask any further questions during an upcoming live web chat or in our debate forum. Jo Higbee: Thank you all SO MUCH for coming. This has been a great session. If you think of any questions later you can share them with us in the Debate section and we'll get them answered. https://www.iggy.net/debate/studies_and_careers_in_law/43324 Marissa Beatty: Great stuff guys! I'll still be here next year so feel free to get in touch once you've started Warwick (if you decide to!) but it's really not a scary place at all :) Good luck to any of you who have exams coming up! Jo Higbee: We're wrapping up just a few more answers now before we sign off for the night, and we'll share a transcript of the session on the IGGY site in a few days so you can review what we discussed Navi: Thank you everyone for holding this session- it has been very informative! firtree: That's great Jo. Where will the transcript be? JoHigbee: Firtree, it will be a news story page.
Jane Bryan: It has been really interesting answering your questions. If you have more, please do call Mike Hart on 02476523523 or email mike.hart@warwick.ac.uk. He will be delighted to help Phoebe: This has been great for me, I think it's a really good idea that I've not heard of any other universities doing which shows me that I've definitely done the right thing putting Warwick as my first choice! Jo Higbee: Thank you so much, Phoebe! I'm so happy to hear that Jo Higbee: Take care, everyone! Have a great night firtree: Thank you. Bye!