The Canadian who chose Birmingham: no regrets, just readings

My first time in Europe was when I stepped off a plane in Manchester and headed straight to the University of Birmingham Law School. I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of Toronto, which was only about 45 minutes from where I grew up. I knew coming here would mean building a new community and pushing myself outside my comfort zone, but I also knew that if there was ever a time to take a leap, it was now.

I applied to five UK law schools and was lucky enough to receive offers from all of them. Choosing Birmingham came down to three things: academic reputation, employability, and, unexpectedly, its strong community of Canadian students. I wanted somewhere that would challenge me academically, support my professional goals back home, and feel like a place where I could belong. Birmingham kept ticking every box.

Even though both Canada and the UK follow common law, I wondered whether the teaching style would feel different. So far, the transition has been smooth. This semester, I’m in lectures and seminars from Monday to Wednesday, which gives me time later in the week to tackle the mountain of readings that come with studying law. And yes, the stereotype is true, there are a lot of readings. But the structure makes it manageable, or at least as manageable as casebooks and journal articles can ever be (lol).

Where Birmingham has really impressed me is with its support system. Every law student has a personal academic tutor and a student mentor, and lecturers are genuinely accessible. The atmosphere in the cohort is collaborative rather than cut-throat, which makes a world of difference. Even though law school isn’t easy, I’ve never felt like I’m facing it alone. Another standout has been the professional development opportunities. During my undergrad, I felt like I constantly had to hunt for ways to build my CV. Here, opportunities come to us! Internships, pro bono roles, part-time student jobs, advocacy programs, it’s all on offer. CEPLER (the Centre for Employability, Professional Legal Education and Research) has been huge in this. It connects students with law firms, NGOs, regulators, and other organizations, giving us real professional insight and experience while we study. It’s exactly the kind of preparation I hoped for before returning to Canada to start my career.

And of course, one of my favourite parts of Birmingham is the Canadian community. The law school offers modules tailored specifically for Canadian students, and the university has strong links with Canadian firms and universities. I’m especially excited for the Canadian Careers Conference in February, it feels like a direct pathway back home. Being part of the Canadian Society has also made a massive difference socially. It’s comforting to be surrounded by people who get what it’s like to move across the world, and this year I’m proud to be the First-Year Representative!

I’m only a short way through the program, but I already know I made the right decision. The challenge, the support, the opportunities, and the friendships have made Birmingham feel like a second home. I’m enjoying it so much that I almost wish the program was longer than two years- almost