Meet Ella
First Year, LLB Law for Graduates
Meet Ella
Hi, my name is Emmanuella. I am originally from Nigeria but moved from Toronto, Canada to Birmingham.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Society and I am currently in my first year of the LLB for Graduates program here at University of Birmingham. I will be detailing my experience of the scholarship process and my Birmingham experience.
My first exposure to my program was in a detailed YouTube video of Paul McConnell and some Canadian students who spoke about their experience as students in the program. I did further research about Birmingham Law School (BLS), the admission requirements and the city of Birmingham.
The key things I looked out for in a school were quality of education, student experience in relation to employability and diversity of the university environment and city. The core values of UoB matched mine and as a prestigious university, I knew this was where I wanted to be.
My admissions process was seamless. Thankfully, I connected with an organization in Canada called “Canada Law from Abroad” (CLFA) and I was paired with an advisor who worked with me throughout my entire application process until I departed Toronto.
In the winter of 2023, I attended a 2-day in-person event hosted by CLFA in Toronto where I connected with representatives from UoB (Paul McConnell and Katy Friend) and alumni from my program. It was great to speak to staff and alumni who had been through the BLS experience. Their words of encouragement made me more confident about my law school journey.
In addition to pursuing a law degree, choosing UoB as my firm choice was the best decision I made. My law school experience is uniquely exciting. I am able to critically think for myself while also applying the legal skills I have acquired. In my strive for excellence, this can be challenging but, I am encouraged to push myself beyond the limit.
Apart from academics, as a well-rounded student, I have been able to participate in extracurricular activities held by the student societies as well as activities held by CEPLER. This allows me to be innovative and expands my UoB experience beyond the lecture hall.
A highlight of my admission process was receiving the email that I had gotten the LLB and LLB for Graduates Scholarship. In receiving this scholarship, I have realised my long-term goal of going to a prominent law school - where I can develop legal skills that I will use in impacting the lives of people from diverse backgrounds especially those who do not have equal access to the law.
Coming from Toronto, it was important for me to be in a diverse environment. The city of Birmingham is diverse with a lot to learn. I started a YouTube channel where I document my real time experience of being an international student here at Birmingham Law School while also showing how I adjust to my new multicultural city. It is my hope that my videos help future students like myself who wish to see what life is like in Birmingham and at UoB.
The locals (Brummies) have been super friendly and the staff at school have made my onboarding process easier. There is much to learn as the system is entirely different from what I was used to. However, I have welcomed this change with an open mind and learned to give myself grace and time to adjust fully.
I am happy that I began the journey towards my dream of becoming an impactful lawyer here at the University of Birmingham.
