Shawlin Hussain
What did you enjoy most about your degree programme?
My favourite bit about my degree was the opportunities we were given to do our own research on an area of law, such as our first year criminal law research project. As part of the project, we were given the discretion to create our own research question, allowing us to tailor the project to our own interests. The criminal law research project was not the only instance where we were allowed to do this; we were given numerous opportunities to pursue our own legal interests throughout the degree. These opportunities were invaluable for developing my research abilities.
Some of the students we are profiling have been awarded a departmental prize or award in recognition of their exceptional achievements. If this applies to you, please can you tell us about this and what it means to you?
I am honoured to have been the recipient of numerous accolades over the past three years, including a Dean’s Commendation, the Cornwall Law Society Award for Outstanding Legal Academic Performance, a Law School Commendation for my second year research project, and most recently the Dickinson Gleeson Trusts Prize. The most recent prize, the Dickinson Gleeson Trusts Prize, is for attaining the highest marks in my cohort in the module of Equity and Trusts, which is a core module that all of us on the LLB programme had to study in our final year. This award is very special to me as Trusts was an engaging but difficult module. Combining both academic complexity and real world applicability, the module required me to understand concepts such as legal fictions and other conceptual confusions to produce my assessments. To have attained the highest marks in my cohort in such a difficult subject is an honour.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Negotiation Officer – Exeter Negotiation Society, Vice-President – Exeter Commercial Awareness Society.
What was the highlight of your time at Exeter?
Not only have I been able to study the fascinating subjects of law and business, I have most importantly learnt about myself. Throughout my degree, I have overcome trials and tribulations such as battles with my mental health to become a woman I am really proud of. I started this degree as a nervous wreck, unsure about my ability to succeed. I am leaving a confident woman, assured about my ability to tackle any challenges that I may face.
What will you miss the most about University?
Being able to see my friends everyday, and being able to relax at Gylly beach after a long day!
What advice would you give to current and future students? (If you are an international student what would you like to tell future students from back home who might be thinking about applying to study in Exeter?)
Degrees are what you make of them! Get stuck in, take as many opportunities as you can, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.
What are your plans now that you have graduated?
I am continuing my legal education by doing an LLM at the London School of Economics. I hope to specialise in Public Law, a subject which I began my education in while I was doing my LLB at Exeter 🙂
