“I was a bit short of the qualifications I needed to get into university to study Law, and I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do next. I spoke to someone at the University of Dundee who told me about the HNC in Legal Services which sounded interesting, so I got in touch with Fife College, applied and luckily, I got a place.”
“I was really late in applying but sometimes people pull out or don’t turn up so it's always worth getting in touch with the College, no matter how late you think it is!
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from the course, as, to be honest, I hadn’t done much research into it. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised and it was a great stepping-stone in so many ways. I learned about the many different areas of law and got a great overview. It also gave me a great basis for when I did start my degree as I already knew the basics and so I felt, in some ways, ahead of the rest of the class. It also really prepared me for the type of learning that I was going to experience at university.
“At Fife College I had to take responsibility for my own learning, just like you do at university. The lecturers aren’t there to hold your hand, and you need to get used to that before starting on the LLB. However, my lecturers at the college were very approachable and because there were smaller classes, it was easier to ask for help or to clarify a point.
“The HNC/HND also prepares you for strict deadlines but encourages you in many ways, including helping to build confidence through delivering talks or presentations and getting comfortable in group situations and the art of debating.
“After I had completed my HNC, I was offered a place at the University of Dundee, and after four years, I completed my law degree, then worked as a Fiscal Officer in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for three years before going back to university to do my Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.
“Whilst I didn’t go down the ‘traditional route’, I don’t think there is one anymore. There are so many pathways which all lead to the same place and I believe that not getting into university straight from school made me more determined to get a place and to prove that I could.
“I now have a job that I love as a solicitor at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and although I worked extremely hard for it, I wouldn’t change how I got here. I gained so much from studying at Fife College, and that gave me a push to work hard at university, be more assertive and get to where I am today.”