Gareth Edwards

Law student testimonial

My name is Gareth Edwards, and I am a final year student with The Open University, working towards my Law LLB Honours degree.  This is my story and the impact the OU has had upon my life.

I always thought of becoming a Lawyer whilst at school, but enjoyed playing sport and socialising a little too much to concentrate on my studies. I left school with eight GCSE’s and two A-Levels, and was deliberating whether I was going to join the Police or go to University, I chose the formative option, looking to earn rather than study. With hindsight I lacked the dedication that I would have needed back then to complete my degree and so I joined the Police service, for a career dealing with the sharp end of criminal law. I always had a nagging thought that I should have undertaken my degree, with that childhood desire to be a Lawyer fuelled by an upbringing of Rumpole of the Bailey, Kavanagh QC and that ilk. More so I realised that I wanted a greater impact on the criminal justice system, I saw Lawyers on a day to day basis during my time with the Police, knew I could do their role and this just burned at that desire and original aim. 

In 2005 after a couple of outrageous flirts with the OU, well, obtaining the course prospectus, I finally became a mature distance learning student. I started with an introductory 10 point course. I chose The Open University because they offer the key to any mature student, combining work with family commitments, flexibility. I was able to study in my own time, and structure my work around all those commitments that we all have. As I got into the course I began to grow in confidence, and realised that I could do this. I had found what I had always lacked during formative education, the desire to succeed. I set my aim on a target grade with the intention of applying to the Bar and qualifying as a Barrister. This aim is as intense today as it always has been, supported by the helpful guidance of the OU. 

I moved from the introductory course into a generic Introduction to Law course, and really enjoyed it. I then moved on to the core modules of the Law LLB (Hons).   As the degree progressed I blossomed, seemingly dry subjects were lit up by good support from tutors and it has been a wonderful experience to meet fellow students of diverse backgrounds and share the experience.   The University pick specialist tutors for the Law courses, from a serving Police Officer teaching me criminal law to a specialist land law ‘red brick’ University lecturer. I have been cajoled and supported wonderfully in what is a challenging environment for a distance learner. I have been amazed how I have developed as an individual and started thinking in a more critical manner. A good example is having undertaken the criminal law aspect of the degree I was amazed how stronger my work based knowledge became, challenging rules and applying sound legal basis to decisions.

What I struggled with most at The Open University was trying to organise time off to attend the group tutorials. My advice to anyone is to ensure that you do try and attend the tutorials, I was aware that my grades were being affected by not being able to make the tutorials and began to look for a role that would give me the solidity of a Monday to Friday position. When I was approached about a role with a private company outside of the Police I took the leap of faith, I had to make sure that my degree came first, I knew where I was going and so I took the decision to leave the Police. I was proved right, the grades returned to their previous levels and I was able to make the tutorials that I was constantly missing.

Having seen The Open University from the perspective of a shift worker, then a Monday to Friday worker I can say that the University dovetails well with either, tutorials are imperative, but even without them the quality of the lecturers stands out with the support and guidance they provide. 

The Open University has a wide geographical nature and the sheer numbers of students is huge, meaning some opportunities can be limited. I realised his when I looked at undertaking mooting on behalf of the University. I set up a team and entered a national tournament (the ICLR Weekly Law Reports) as a team of OU Law students, taking the team all the way to the national final in London, though unfortunately losing at the very last hurdle. The OU were a fantastic support, backing us throughout our challenges, and I would hope that I and my team helped to raise the profile of the OU through this experience. It was a great experience for us, and I was very proud to represent the whole of the University in doing this. What this did prove to me is just how much OU students have to offer, the life experiences that many of us bring are really valuable assets, and will serve our futures well.  I am sure there will be few students who will be able to say they sat their Contract and Tort exams having had no sleep for 36 hours and the arrival of my baby son that very morning of the exam. 

The one thing I would suggest that a prospective student needs for distance learning is the commitment to see it through. When the tough times come, and those grades fall to be able to pick yourself up and carry on. I do feel it’s extremely important to have not just the University’s support behind you but the family and friends around you. I have no doubt that mine have felt every year of these last five with me. You know who you are, thank you.

I had often worried about the OU and how doing a degree with them would look, I can categorically say that the degree shows so much in terms of commitment and dedication, it’s underpinning by the College of Law gives real prestige to the degree. Friends who have undertaken degrees through full time Universities are amazed that we have no open book examinations and the rigidity of the OU marking. I recently undertook a mini pupillage and asked the very question of a practising barrister about how the degree from the OU would be viewed on pupillage applications. The answer was resoundingly positive; it shows years of dedication, a commitment to the law and to the end goal that we all seek to achieve. It isn’t Oxford or Cambridge, but it doesn’t want to be. Nor should it aspire to that, I’m proud to be approaching the end of my journey with the OU, long - yes, challenging - definitely, but I wouldn’t swap it for the world.