Former LLM student Philipp Schmidinger has now gone on to take a PhD

“Although I am from Germany, I started my undergraduate studies at Oxford Brookes, doing a combined honours in International Relations and Geography. It was a course I very much enjoyed and during which I first encountered the concept of International Law, a subject that immediately raised my curiosity. Despite the fact that I had not studied law as an undergraduate, I decided to take the LLM in International Law.

I particularly appreciated the modular structure of the LLM as it enabled me to focus my studies on those areas I was interested in. At the same time, the core module in International Law ensured that I gained some knowledge of the broader range of areas covered by international law. Based on this, I was able to make an informed choice of the specialised areas I wanted to research further. As a matter of fact, I found one of those areas so interesting that I decided to continue on to study for a PhD, still here at Brookes.

The opportunity to participate in the Jessup International Law Mooting Competition as part of the Oxford Brookes team was a unique opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge of International Law, to network with other international lawyers and to develop an understanding of international law that no lecture in itself could ever achieve. The size of the LLM course, as well as the student/teacher ratio, ensured that I got individualised advice on my studies and my career.

Finally, perhaps the most attractive aspect of the LLM at Oxford Brookes, in my view, is Oxford itself. This extends far beyond the reputation the name carries. Admission to the Bodleian Library for LLM students allows access to one of the oldest, biggest and possibly most beautiful libraries in the world! It provides an environment in which studying becomes pleasure not work, and where the historical as well as intellectual background motivates perhaps more than any lecturer ever could. Oxford itself, brimming with students from all over the world, ancient pubs and beautiful old buildings rounds off an experience that goes far beyond acquiring knowledge and a certificate.” 


Lawyer Natalie Westerbarkey worked in Cologne, Germany and for the European Commission in Brussels as a trainee before joining the LLM at Oxford Brookes University. She now works as a Vice President for the Securities and Funds Services team in Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank in London.

“I decided to do an LLM in International Law in order to create opportunities and further my international career. Oxford is one of the most recognised academic cities worldwide, known for its international academic community and I found the choice of modules at Oxford Brookes very attractive.

After completing the course I immediately began work at Clifford Chance LLP in London as a lawyer and was later offered employment by Citigroup, Clifford Chance’s prime client, to whom I was seconded. My job mainly represents an advocacy function, which entails the analysis of EU financial regulation, its impact on Citigroup and ways of influencing regulators, industry allies and competitors in order to shape the outcome of regulatory and market-led initiatives. It requires knowledge of how Europe functions politically and legally, e.g. the European Commission, Council and Parliament, the lobbying landscape in Brussels, the industry landscape in Europe as well as thorough knowledge of EU financial regulation. It also entails extensive reading and drafting of complex issues and more recently, representing the bank’s position at conferences.

The LLM helped me gain expert knowledge in the areas that are fundamental for the job I now perform, in particular International Banking and EU Competition Law. Enhancing legal knowledge and English skills through drafting essays and the dissertation as well as through course presentations was a vital exercise in order to succeed in a highly competitive working environment such as London. I had brilliant tutors who were very helpful and gave excellent lectures as well as detailed information on the LLM subjects and essay topics. Their feedback and support helped me achieve outstanding results and made it an excellent learning experience. ”

Contact
Victoria Ebo 
Postgraduate Administrator
School of Social Sciences and Law
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK 

Tel: +44 (0)1865 483750
Fax: +44 (0)1865 483950
E-mail: pgsocsci@brookes.ac.uk
Web: http://ssl.brookes.ac.uk/law