Jeremy Vernall

Law student testimonial

My name is Jeremy Vernall I am 49 years of age and have been a plumber and heating engineer for more than twenty five years. I have been married to my wife Shirley for 17 years we have no children but do have three Labradors.

Six and half years ago we decided to up sticks and move from Herefordshire to Northumberland for a fresh start, a quieter pace of life and, on my part, a new career where I could exercise my brain and not just my muscles. Law was my chosen new career therefore my first requirement was a qualifying law degree for which I turned to The Open University as I needed to work full time whilst studying. I knew the quality of the courses and tutors having studied a social science course as a brain reviver. So I enrolled on the first of the five courses I required to gain my qualifying OU LLB (hons) degree.

The LLB course requires the study of four modules that cover the core subjects of law, and having studied these I can say without doubt that they were well structured, demanding, but overly so, and most importantly are regarded by the legal community as providing a sound academic bases in law. The quality of the study material was first class, the text books provided were relevant and a mixture of contemporary and classic titles and authors. The on-line study and research/reference facilities available to the OU student were first class and the electronic submission system for written assignments was a joy to use.

Each of the four core courses had a different tutor all of whom were extremely enthusiastic, professional and very knowledgeable, their comments on written assignments were always fair, helpful and aimed at assisting understanding of the area of law being studied. Each of the tutors was either a practicing solicitor or had been prior to becoming a lecturer; such a background gave their comments and observations more relevance and credibility.

In October 2010 I took my final exams; the culmination of five years of hard work and dedication which hopefully will result in my gaining my qualifying degree. I have enrolled with the College of Law to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) beginning in August 2011. If you study and attain a qualifying law degree with the OU you are guaranteed a place on their LPC for two years. This is a great benefit to those studying with the OU as the College of Law trains a significant number of solicitors and is highly regarded.

Studying for a law degree with the OU has been a highly rewarding and exciting experience and, coupled with the opportunity to study the LPC at the College of Law, will give me a sound academic and professional basis with which to seek that all important training contract. I cannot speak more highly of The Open University LLB (hons) degree course and would unhesitatingly recommend it to anyone wishing to study for a qualifying law degree, and particularly to those who, like me, wish to study in order to secure a second career whist working full time.

I will be 52 years old when I finish studying the LPC. I am certain that my age will raise a few eyebrows among the recruiters but I am confident that my OU and College of Law credentials will allow me to become what may well be the oldest trainee solicitor – at least in the North East.