Rebecca Pritchard

Taking the Leap into Law

I’ve always wanted to study Law, but it never felt like a viable option when I was in school. The legal profession wasn’t mentioned during careers days, and I didn’t know anyone in the industry. Eventually, I decided it was time to follow my dream. I was drawn to USW by the positive experiences shared by friends and the opportunity to study the accelerated two-year degree programme. 

I attended an Open Day, which cemented my decision—USW simply felt like the University I was meant to study at. Since enrolling, I’ve thrown myself into everything the course offers, from moots to simulated clients, presentations, and the Law on Trial journal. These assessments have boosted both my confidence and my skill set immensely.

Transformational Experiences and Aspirations

My favourite part of the course has been the range of opportunities to engage with real legal practice. I gained experience through a summer placement at the Legal Advice Clinic, where I became familiar with attendance notes, client interviews and case management. The Hydra facilities enhanced my understanding of tort law in a real-world setting, and I’ve also taken part in the Client Interviewing Competition and attended events like the Law Society bicentennial at Cardiff Museum.

After graduation, I hope to secure a training contract and continue working on legal research. My time at USW has been life-changing—I came to this course after a long time out of education and now feel like a completely different person, equipped with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to thrive in the legal profession.

My advice? Apply, embrace every opportunity, and work hard. You’ll achieve more than you ever thought possible.