Case study

Masters graduate — Giancarlo Cunliffe

Law graduate Giancarlo completed the LLM International Business Law at the University of Salford, a qualification that provided him with a deeper understanding of the subject

Why did you decide to pursue a Masters?

I made the decision to do a Masters degree as my undergraduate degree was complicated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, I felt I had not fulfilled my time at university completely and had more to offer. So, when the opportunity arose to continue my education, I couldn't turn it down.

I've always had a passion for international business law. I also had a strong interest in the structure of businesses around the world, especially regarding trade. Therefore, the LLM International Business Law was not only attractive to me as a subject, but it was an area of business I felt I could excel in.

Why did you choose this institution?

I decided to study at the University of Salford because of the connections between students and staff, along with the outstanding facilities on offer. It was a no-brainer for me to continue my studies here.

The staff at the university are extremely friendly, which provides a pleasant environment for students and this can be best demonstrated through the welcoming atmosphere on campus.

The teaching throughout my undergraduate degree was engaging and helped open my mind to critical thinking. This is a key aspect of exceeding in higher education, particularly in terms of Masters-level study, due to the demand for critical analysis.

What did the course teach you that your first degree did not?

My Masters taught me a range of techniques and widened my personal experience of studying, emphasising the need to expand my reading of scholar articles and other relevant research papers.

Moreover, my Masters taught me how to articulate my words in a concise but engaging manner, which I had struggled with previously.

As mentioned earlier, the pandemic severely affected my undergraduate study, so engaging in group work and presentations as a Masters student also helped boost my teamworking skills, while improving my ability to speak in front of an audience.

How was the course assessed?

It was split into sections, covering various aspects of international business law. The core modules made up 40% of my overall grade, with the remaining 60% based on a 15,000-word dissertation.

What have you been doing since graduation, and what are your career ambitions?

Since graduation, I have been studying for my Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) at The University of Law. I have recently finished my SQE1, and am waiting for my results.

The SQE is without a doubt the most challenging exam I have encountered. But, with the perseverance and determination gained through my Masters degree, these skills have certainly helped me when revising for the SQE1 exam.

My career ambitions are to become an in-house lawyer, as my strongest skills are in contract law. Thanks to the knowledge obtained through my Masters course, in relation to the wider aspects of business as a general topic, I believe I would excel and contribute significantly within this role.

What advice do you have for others studying a Masters?

  • Maintain a healthy study/life balance. It's important that you still get to enjoy an active social life.
  • Read around the topic and put in the work. By reading an assortment of scholar articles, academic papers and relevant academic books, this can help you when completing essays to the required standard.
  • Ask your tutors any burning questions you have. This was by far the most important factor when it came to me achieving a distinction. The feedback from these questions helped me to clear any ambiguities, giving me a clear mind to focus on key aspects of the subject. The process helped me to achieve top marks throughout the course.

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