Dear friends

I am a Nigerian (qualified) lawyer- I like to start LLM in the UK this year in the field of maritime and perhaps oil and gas.

I have been talking to colleagues in Nigeria and friends worldwide and overwhelming majority of them told me that Swansea LLM is excellent both in terms of contents, delivery and also prospects in job market. I made contact and so far I am very impressed! Also, people in shipping sector talk very highly of Swansea LLM.

Anyone has personal experience?

Many thanks

Tom Benike (Esq)

Dear Tom

good choice mate. I did my LLM at Swansea a few years ago. It is all true: a very good teaching team who care about students (this is not always the case in UK universities at LLM level), a sound reputation in the market, good links with shipping, banking and insurance sectors, a great and cheap City to live, regular practitioner visits from London and abroad- I can verify all exist at Swansea. Go for it and have no worries!

Kosta

Dear Tom

good choice mate. I did my LLM at Swansea a few years ago. It is all true: a very good teaching team who care about students (this is not always the case in UK universities at LLM level), a sound reputation in the market, good links with shipping, banking and insurance sectors, a great and cheap City to live, regular practitioner visits from London and abroad- I can verify all exist at Swansea. Go for it and have no worries!

Kosta

Hi Tom,

I was a student at Swansea University - I had the choice between several universities, but in the end I am happy I chose Swansea for a lot of reasons:

1. The lecturers are well known in the industry - well enough that it was not a hamper, but rather a benefit when I sought my current employment. I have older colleagues who went to Southampton, but their respect for Swansea is surprising and reassures me that I made the correct choice. Many people are saying the same thing: Swansea has been growing fast and has made a name for itself. In my opinion the lecturers and staff who are there are most of the best in their fields. I was lucky to be taught by lecturers like Professor Soyer, Prof Richard Williams, and I hear that other well-known Professors are there as well. Ask anyone in the marine insurance industry if they know Prof Soyer and they will say yes.

2. It was very practical. I found that when I went to work, much of what I learnt was relevant and useful. It is more than just a classroom experience and it is what impressed my superiors enough for them to hire me.

3. It's cheaper. Because it is located in Wales which is cheaper to live in, it is less expensive than other places so you get more of the contact with the teachers, all the materials and really good teaching (better than some of my colleagues have said they received in London Unis) that you could get in other places, but for international students it is more affordable.

4. The teachers are really nice and relaxed. I did not expect them to be so approachable. Even the Professors are easy to talk to, and they make a lot of time for students. I think that's important for an international student.

DM me if you want to know more about my choices. I am happy to give advices.

Hi Tom,

I was a student at Swansea University - I had the choice between several universities, but in the end I am happy I chose Swansea for a lot of reasons:

1. The lecturers are well known in the industry - well enough that it was not a hamper, but rather a benefit when I sought my current employment. I have older colleagues who went to Southampton, but their respect for Swansea is surprising and reassures me that I made the correct choice. Many people are saying the same thing: Swansea has been growing fast and has made a name for itself. In my opinion the lecturers and staff who are there are most of the best in their fields. I was lucky to be taught by lecturers like Professor Soyer, Prof Richard Williams, and I hear that other well-known Professors are there as well. Ask anyone in the marine insurance industry if they know Prof Soyer and they will say yes.

2. It was very practical. I found that when I went to work, much of what I learnt was relevant and useful. It is more than just a classroom experience and it is what impressed my superiors enough for them to hire me.

3. It's cheaper. Because it is located in Wales which is cheaper to live in, it is less expensive than other places so you get more of the contact with the teachers, all the materials and really good teaching (better than some of my colleagues have said they received in London Unis) that you could get in other places, but for international students it is more affordable.

4. The teachers are really nice and relaxed. I did not expect them to be so approachable. Even the Professors are easy to talk to, and they make a lot of time for students. I think that's important for an international student.

DM me if you want to know more about my choices. I am happy to give advices.

MCA headquarters in Southampton? Sorry but what has that got to do with the prospect of finding jobs in private commercial sector? MCA is a public body! Not much maritime practice (insurance or legal) in Southampton as far as I know!

London- UCL is a good Law School but does not possess serious maritime expertise! Good place to go if you are after a generalist LLM!

Swansea is well linked with legal practice, industry and the City:

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/mootingsuccessforswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/internationallawfirmawardsswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/cityoflondonwelcomesswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/swanseallmstudentsgoplaceslikechina.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/shipping-trade-law-department/latest-news/archive/2014-2015/swanseallmstudentsmeetwithseniorfiguresfromthelondoninsuranceandreinsurancemarketatbilaannualnetworkingevent.php

MCA headquarters in Southampton? Sorry but what has that got to do with the prospect of finding jobs in private commercial sector? MCA is a public body! Not much maritime practice (insurance or legal) in Southampton as far as I know!

London- UCL is a good Law School but does not possess serious maritime expertise! Good place to go if you are after a generalist LLM!

Swansea is well linked with legal practice, industry and the City:

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/mootingsuccessforswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/internationallawfirmawardsswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/cityoflondonwelcomesswanseallmstudents.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/news/swanseallmstudentsgoplaceslikechina.php

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/law/shipping-trade-law-department/latest-news/archive/2014-2015/swanseallmstudentsmeetwithseniorfiguresfromthelondoninsuranceandreinsurancemarketatbilaannualnetworkingevent.php

Hi Tom,

I was a student at Swansea University - I had the choice between several universities, but in the end I am happy I chose Swansea for a lot of reasons:

1. The lecturers are well known in the industry - well enough that it was not a hamper, but rather a benefit when I sought my current employment. I have older colleagues who went to Southampton, but their respect for Swansea is surprising and reassures me that I made the correct choice. Many people are saying the same thing: Swansea has been growing fast and has made a name for itself. In my opinion the lecturers and staff who are there are most of the best in their fields. I was lucky to be taught by lecturers like Professor Soyer, Prof Richard Williams, and I hear that other well-known Professors are there as well. Ask anyone in the marine insurance industry if they know Prof Soyer and they will say yes.

2. It was very practical. I found that when I went to work, much of what I learnt was relevant and useful. It is more than just a classroom experience and it is what impressed my superiors enough for them to hire me.

3. It's cheaper. Because it is located in Wales which is cheaper to live in, it is less expensive than other places so you get more of the contact with the teachers, all the materials and really good teaching (better than some of my colleagues have said they received in London Unis) that you could get in other places, but for international students it is more affordable.

4. The teachers are really nice and relaxed. I did not expect them to be so approachable. Even the Professors are easy to talk to, and they make a lot of time for students. I think that's important for an international student.

DM me if you want to know more about my choices. I am happy to give advices.

Hi Erika,

Its great to see your positive feedback on Swansea University basis your experience. You must have done thorough research on which university to head for prior choosing the same.

Need your help as am confused between 3 universities for pursuing llm in maritime law.
1. Southampton University - its ranking as compared to Swansea and feedback from its passed out students with regards to its course content. Also the fact that MCA headquarters are located there is an attraction as am a seafarer and believe will have good opportunities there.
2. Swansea University - Basis feedback of candidates like your good self which indicates good valuable studies there and high employment chances.
3. UCL London - its high international ranking and employers ranking for job prospects. Fact that its in London which is the hub of Maritime industry.

Will highly appreciate your kind advice.

Thanks and regards
Puneet Sareen

Hi Tom,

I was a student at Swansea University - I had the choice between several universities, but in the end I am happy I chose Swansea for a lot of reasons:

1. The lecturers are well known in the industry - well enough that it was not a hamper, but rather a benefit when I sought my current employment. I have older colleagues who went to Southampton, but their respect for Swansea is surprising and reassures me that I made the correct choice. Many people are saying the same thing: Swansea has been growing fast and has made a name for itself. In my opinion the lecturers and staff who are there are most of the best in their fields. I was lucky to be taught by lecturers like Professor Soyer, Prof Richard Williams, and I hear that other well-known Professors are there as well. Ask anyone in the marine insurance industry if they know Prof Soyer and they will say yes.

2. It was very practical. I found that when I went to work, much of what I learnt was relevant and useful. It is more than just a classroom experience and it is what impressed my superiors enough for them to hire me.

3. It's cheaper. Because it is located in Wales which is cheaper to live in, it is less expensive than other places so you get more of the contact with the teachers, all the materials and really good teaching (better than some of my colleagues have said they received in London Unis) that you could get in other places, but for international students it is more affordable.

4. The teachers are really nice and relaxed. I did not expect them to be so approachable. Even the Professors are easy to talk to, and they make a lot of time for students. I think that's important for an international student.

DM me if you want to know more about my choices. I am happy to give advices.

Hi Erika,

Its great to see your positive feedback on Swansea University basis your experience. You must have done thorough research on which university to head for prior choosing the same.

Need your help as am confused between 3 universities for pursuing llm in maritime law.
1. Southampton University - its ranking as compared to Swansea and feedback from its passed out students with regards to its course content. Also the fact that MCA headquarters are located there is an attraction as am a seafarer and believe will have good opportunities there.
2. Swansea University - Basis feedback of candidates like your good self which indicates good valuable studies there and high employment chances.
3. UCL London - its high international ranking and employers ranking for job prospects. Fact that its in London which is the hub of Maritime industry.

Will highly appreciate your kind advice.

Thanks and regards
Puneet Sareen

Hi Puneet,

If you look at the University guides, Swansea is higher than Southampton for Law: https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2017/may/16/university-guide-2018-league-table-for-law

As for the location of the MCA headquarters, I honestly don't think it matters that you study in Southampton, it's not going to increase your chances. E.g. neither of them are located in London, but the maritime bodies/employers in London (including P&I, insurance, IMO, Maritime Law, the UK Maritime Pilots' Assoc etc) do not give preferential treatment to those from London universities. Location has little to do with it. Reputation and the links the lecturers have are much more valuable currency - at least what I saw.

I am actually still in contact with some of the lecturers, like Dr Nikaki and Prof Soyer. They send alumni emails every so often when job opportunities come up, and they often meet up with people from my year who work abroad (when they are there). I don't think many Professors will remember your name after you leave, so I am really grateful for my time there. I felt that they really cared about me.

I hope this helps.