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  • First Person Accounts: Nimisha Thomas on an LL.M. from Queen Mary University of London

    First Person Accounts: Nimisha Thomas on an LL.M. from Queen Mary University of London

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of law graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    In this edition, Nimisha Thomas (Amity Law School ’17, QMUL ’19) talks about her time as an LLM candidate at the Queen Mary University of London, how she went about the application process, and a lot more.

     

    Were you planning to enrol for a master’s right after your undergraduate course, or was the plan to always work a while before applying?

    I had plans of doing masters soon after my under graduate programme since my area of interest requires a specialism.

    How did you go about selecting universities, and what got you to narrow down on QMUL?

    I first decided the course I wanted to pursue then I narrowed down the best colleges in the world for the subject. Finally, I selected the jurisdiction where I would get a good exposure in the legal field.

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid of any kind?

    No.

    Any advice on how to go about the application process, more specifically the statements of purpose and sourcing letters of recommendation?

    The Statement of purpose (SOP) and recommendation letters must be obtained ideally by August/ October for intake applications in the following academic year.

    The SOP should be drafted in a manner which conveys to the reader one’s interest in the course which s/he is applying to, why she has opted for that particular university and her aspirations in career which would be fulfilled through the course applied for.

    As far as letters of recommendation (LOR) are concerned, seek it from the person you know best and who knows you the best. Do not go behind big titles just for the sake of it. Request a LOR from someone you can rely on to write in favour of you and genuinely.

    “As far as letters of recommendation (LOR) are concerned, seek it from the person you know best and who knows you the best. Do not go behind big titles just for the sake of it.”

    When it comes to finding accommodation in an expensive city like London, any advice for the prospective applicant? 

    Research well in advance as most of the accommodation gets occupied by September. While searching for an accommodation keep in mind the distance from the house to the tube/bus stop.

    Also, most of the universities roll out applications by February/ March, so it’s good to keep an eye on the university website.

    How has the LLM experience been? What have been some of the highlights along the way?

    The LLM experience has been life changing for me. I have evolved as a person in all the spheres of my life. Firstly, I have had the opportunity of listening and interacting with great minds from different jurisdictions which has widened my perspective.

    Secondly, I have identified my strengths and weaknesses which I was oblivious of while staying at home under a protected environment. I can proudly say that I handled myself and my finances with uttermost care while facing all my fears boldly. I didn’t know I was this independent and fierce.

    “I can proudly say that I handled myself and my finances with uttermost care while facing all my fears boldly. I didn’t know I was this independent and fierce.”

    I have made quite a lot of memories in this one year from making friends from different states of India, different parts of the world and of different age groups. This has helped me grow as a person and has brought a change in attitude for the good.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering an LLM abroad?

    I feel that an LLM is an enriching experience and one should really consider doing it. However, a PG degree from abroad cannot guarantee you a job either in the international scenario or India. While investing so much in a degree abroad one must consider all the pros and cons of it.

    Also, I have seen that there is still more scope for candidates who have prior work experience to gaining some work experience in the form of an internship or training contract here.

    I must add that the UK job market is highly competitive and a tough nut to crack. Despite that I would still suggest interested candidates for masters abroad. The knowledge and exposure imparted here is worth a shot. All the best!

    “I must add that the UK job market is highly competitive and a tough nut to crack. Despite that I would still suggest interested candidates for masters abroad. The knowledge and exposure imparted here is worth a shot.”

  • First Person Accounts: Talha Abdul Rahman on Oxford University’s BCL + Guide on LLM applications

    First Person Accounts: Talha Abdul Rahman on Oxford University’s BCL + Guide on LLM applications

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of law graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    In this edition, Talha Abdul Rahman (NALSAR ’08, Oxford ’09) talks about his experiences as a BCL candidate at the University of Oxford. Talha has also kindly agreed to share some notes he had made on the LL.M. application process, a copy of which can be downloaded here [pdf].

    At what stage of your undergraduate course did you decide that you wanted to study further? And when did you start the preparation process?

    I took to law to litigate, and I had decided to do everything that it takes to widen my horizon and firm up my character to sustain the rigours and challenges of litigation.  I think I had decided by my second semester that I wanted to study further, and that I wanted to pursue a post-graduate course in litigation-related subjects from one of the best universities in the world.

    I started to prepare early. This process included working towards preparing my resume to reflect my passion for litigation and also my interest in academic study, to contribute to the development of the law.  I can say that in my fifth year when I sat down to write my statement of purpose, all that I had done in terms of moots, research papers, conferences, and other co-curricular activities came in handy to justify my purpose and what I intended to take away from an LLM course. It also enabled me to project myself as a person who could bring a diverse perspective in the classroom.

    I do not think that I would have been spoilt for choice had I not started working early. I must add here that many recruiters pretty much look for the same indicators in a resume as is done by an admissions committee.

    What were some of the schools you had shortlisted? And what got you to narrow down on the BCL?

    I did not have the resources to fund my Master’s programme. It was clear that either my LLM had to be fully funded or I would have to give it up. Hence, it was necessary for me to also secure a scholarship along with an offer of admission. Otherwise, it was not happening.

    Given the foreign policy and economy of the United States in 2008, the year I graduated from NALSAR, I did not think it was a great option to apply to colleges in the US. I, therefore, applied only to colleges in the UK and one additional university in the Netherlands to study development.

    Actually, I was divided between studying development and studying law. This was because from a litigation and policy point of view, especially in the current scenario of judicial activism, a better understanding of social policy was, I felt, also necessary.

    “Actually, I was divided between studying development and studying law. This was because from a litigation and policy point of view, especially in the current scenario of judicial activism, a better understanding of social policy was, I felt, also necessary.”

    For development studies, I applied to Oxford University and the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague.

    For law, I had applied to the Oxford University, the Cambridge University and  London School of Economics. Between these three, I had decided that I would go wherever I would get a scholarship. I had secured admission at all three places. LSE’s offer came first and it was accompanied by Tata Scholarship.

    Then Oxford University’s offer came in, followed by Shell Chevening Scholarship to study at Oxford. Then came an offer for admission to Cambridge with an intimation that I was shortlisted for the Gates Foundation award. By this time, I had already made up my mind that I would take up BCL at Oxford as it came with a full scholarship. The fact that I had friends studying there was an additional factor that I had considered while choosing BCL over the others.

    Any advice on how to go about applying? More specifically, when should one start the preparatory process, and how to go about the writing requirements? 

    The application for an LLM or any postgraduate program abroad is a very tedious process. The silver lining is that writing a good application is easier than doing all that goes into making a strong application. You will need to build your CV, and start the same as soon as you can.

    Generally, an LLM is not a stepping stone for professional life, and universities also do not view them like that. For almost all universities, the LLM is an academic degree and those who take LLM either have an academic interest in law or would like to take up a teaching career at some point in their lives. Therefore, irrespective of your motivation for LLM, you will need to build a CV that reflects your interest in the academic pursuit of the law.  Having an excellent academic record certainly helps, though at times it can be compensated with commensurate work experience and research work.

    “For almost all universities, the LLM is an academic degree and those who take LLM either have an academic interest in law or would like to take up a teaching career at some point in their lives.”

    Writing requirement for each application is very different. I would suggest every applicant to assess the requirement of every university and write accordingly. Analysis, articulation, information and presentation is something that is being looked at in writing samples.

    In terms of timing, most applications will need to be made in the 9th semester of a five year course, i.e. by September of the year prior to in which you want to go. Therefore, it is best to start latest by 8th Semester which would give you enough time to seek help and also to re-start or improve what you have written depending on the feedback you get.

    Looking back, what were some of the benefits of the BCL that you only realised much after you were done with the course?

    The greatest benefit of the BCL is that I learnt how little I know and that there is so much knowledge to seek. Other benefits of the BCL included getting habituated to long reading lists and preparing for discussions in the class where every student came with different experiences from his or her own country.

    The BCL was very intense but very rewarding. The course is structured in a way that allowed me to interact one-on-one with my professors where my essay was commented upon.

    Given the structure of BCL examinations, it was very important to hone writing skills – and very different from writing an answer for Indian law school examination. It was not enough to regurgitate case names and citations; one had to show independent structured analysis of an issue.  Thus, the more you read, the better you got at presenting analysis.

    There are some who believe that an LLM (international or Indian) is of little benefit to the litigating lawyer – thoughts?

    It is true that to litigate you only need to know the law as it is. However, in a profession that is driven by knowledge and embellished by the presentation of that knowledge, I feel that those who have a masters degree (especially from colleges abroad that allow diversification of perspectives) have an edge over the others in terms of research, analysis, formulation of the argument, and presentation.

    This edge is reflected in terms of where to find the law and how to present it in a way that is acceptable and is couched in a language to known to the law. I believe that modern understanding of Article 14 of the Constitution is a result of a confluence of knowledge – of learning, of assimilation, of inspiration from countries abroad. I don’t see a reason why, as litigators, we should not venture out to seek knowledge from every possible source, and see how we can use that to assist in the development of the law. This is particularly true for those of us practising before courts of record.

    I can give you a relevant example. One of my first assignments, when I shifted to Delhi, was to assist Justice Verma Committee (particularly Mr. Gopal Subramanium) which had been setup in the aftermath of Nirbhaya Case. While at Oxford, I had chosen the law of evidence which included studying the recording of evidence of vulnerable witnesses in the UK.  This was pretty useful in assisting the Verma Committee.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a post-graduate education outside the country? 

    Litigators must study further it if it does not drain their resources or causes a burden on the family. As a litigator, it can take you several years before you will recoup the money spent on education. Therefore, one has to do a cost-benefit analysis. There is absolutely no doubt that a post graduate course helps in many ways.

    To anybody who asks, I always say that in a professional life that stretches to about 60 years, spending a year or two in reading further, in a different country and a different learning environment cannot do any harm. I would go as far as suggesting that where available, lawyers must also pursue PhD if circumstances permit. It is a ‘short’ life and must be well spent in learning.

    I do have one suggestion for Indian law graduates. When considering whether to pursue LLM, please also do consider whether what you want to study is development studies, business administration or social policy.

    I say this because every postgraduate course aims to help the students develop a certain skillset along with knowledge of a particular field. It is beneficial in the long run to study a subject that is at the cusp of what you already know (law) and what you would like to know (for example, social policy or technology).

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill in this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Siddharth Tewari on the LL.M. at George Washington University

    First Person Accounts: Siddharth Tewari on the LL.M. at George Washington University

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of law graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    In this edition, Siddharth Tewari talks about his time as an LL.M. candidate at The George Washington University. A graduate of Symbiosis Law School, Pune (Class of ’16), Siddharth enrolled for the course right after his law degree, and is currently the Managing Partner at Tax N Legal Partners in Noida.

    (Edited excerpts)

    You chose to enrol for the LLM right after your undergrad. Did you consider working for a few years before an LLM?

    To be honest, I was very clear in the head that I wanted to finish my masters before joining work. A lot of people advised me that a better option would be to gain work experience for a few years and then apply for the LL.M. but I was sure that I wouldn’t be able leave my job abruptly and go for a Master’s degree in the middle of everything.

    Given the fact that I was confident about pursuing my masters in the field of Intellectual Property Law, I consciously chose to not work and instead pursue higher education right after graduation.

    “A lot of people advised me that a better option would be to gain work experience for a few years and then apply for the LL.M. but I was sure that I wouldn’t be able leave my job abruptly and go for a Master’s degree in the middle of everything.”

    I did not even sit for any campus placement because I didn’t need any distraction from my plans. I had started working towards this goal in my 3rd year of law school in Pune. Having said that I would particularly caution anyone who wishes to pursue masters to be certain about the course or specialisation before applying for the LL.M. programme.

    For me, personally, the course matters more than the college!

    How did you go about selecting just where to apply, and what got you to narrow down on George Washington? 

    The idea behind searching the most suitable college depends on one’s choice of specialisation. Since I had already decided I wanted a Master’s degree in Patents and Trademark Law, my search was filtered down to only those colleges which were known for their I.P. law programme and faculty.

    Keeping in mind that the US has the strongest traditions of Intellectual property rights, and has the most developed I.P. market in the world, my natural choice was a university in the States.

    Now, selecting universities in the U.S. was a little difficult as my search involved several factors such as curriculum, expanse of syllabus, teaching methods, ranking, faculty etc. in tune with my specialization, which was I.P. law. I did apply to other universities as well which got me through for a course at New York University but when it finally came to picking a college, I preferred the course over the university.

    The George Washington University School of Law has been the most prolific academic institution when it comes to Intellectual Property Law as a field of legal education. The GW School of Law has the oldest intellectual property law programme amongst all the universities in the United States, and has been consistently ranked amongst the top 5 universities for this specific field of law.

    “The GW School of Law has the oldest intellectual property law programme amongst all the universities in the United States, and has been consistently ranked amongst the top 5 universities for this specific field of law.”

    The traditions of patent law at the university carry the legacy of one of the first patent application being filed in the U.S. in late 19th century by GW Law’s faculty, and later, the same being filed for the Wright brothers. All this and the fact that the campus was located in the capital and a few hours away from New York City, gave me the confidence to go for the course at GW.

    Any advice on how one ought to go about the application process in terms of time management, personal statement etc?

    The planning for a Master’s application should start well before the time when the final application has to be submitted. One should ideally start with research on specific colleges one wants to apply to and find out the details of the requirements of the preferred courses in that college.

    A lot of universities prefer an application made directly to them and some others are flexible about the mode of application. My suggestion is to make a chart of universities/colleges with their last day to apply, and requirements in terms of certificates and other supporting documents and then work backwards. This would also help one not to miss any deadline. There are many social media groups and alumni associations of various universities/colleges, putting queries to such forums also gets a lot of clarity.

    “My suggestion is to make a chart of universities/colleges with their last day to apply, and requirements in terms of certificates and other supporting documents and then work backwards”

    Furthermore, it is important to note that almost all the universities consider your academic skills and achievements of your graduation years. They look for a candidate who has a dynamic personality and a positive attitude. Keeping that in mind, one has to consistently maintain academic excellence, engage in curricular and non-academic activities in the graduate law school, to be able to showcase a versatile outlook in the application. That includes your grades, your moots, your research publications, sports, social or pro-bono work etc. I believe this is a very important part of your applications which also forms the major percentage of the selection criteria.

    Another more significant aspect is the ‘Statement of Purpose’ that represents your whole candidature before the committee on admissions. It’s the top of the pile one-pager which makes or breaks your candidature. One should work on this statement earnestly and diligently to reflect insightfulness, originality and a sense of purpose as to why should one be admitted in the applied course.

    “One should work on this statement earnestly and diligently to reflect insightfulness, originality and a sense of purpose as to why should one be admitted in the applied course.”

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid of any kind?

    Yes, I did apply for the GW specific merit scholarships and was awarded a partial scholarship of US $ 15,000 (approximately Rs. 10 Lacs) .

    How was the LLM experience? What were some of the highlights along the way?

    In all honesty, it was the most studious one year of my life, especially considering the four-months’ fellowship with the federal government and preparations for the New York Bar exam right after the term ended.

    One of the good things with the curriculum there was the flexibility of picking courses of your liking. I was allowed to sit in lectures and avail the course-structure before having to decide the subjects I wanted to pursue. In terms of pedagogy, the faculty consistently encouraged us to look beyond grades and train our minds to apply the principles and concepts in real life situations. The emphasis was to prepare for each lecture before-hand and participate in class discussions so that the lessons are broken-down in multiple ways and are internalised.

    “One of the good things with the curriculum there was the flexibility of picking courses of your liking. I was allowed to sit in lectures and avail the course-structure before having to decide the subjects I wanted to pursue. “

    This meant spending more hours in Library and comprehensive understanding of the concepts rather than the eleventh hour cramming and rote-learning that we are used to. If you don’t give the required hours of study and research then you would feel lost during the lectures as the professors teach on the presumption that the students already have a basic idea about the topic. For someone like me, who likes to be at par, if not ahead of the class, it became necessary to devote my time in the application-based study.

    One highlight is the friends and connections I made while pursuing my masters. As my course especially catered to International Students, the class consisted of students from all over the world. This was a wonderful learning experience for me. Not to forget the connections I made while completing my fellowship with the federal government agency. Discussing world cultures, legal systems and global issues with representatives of different countries in a group was an amazing experience.

    Sometimes, it feels unreal to have real relationships with friends from all the continents of the world. I don’t know what can ever match this experience in this lifetime.

    “Sometimes, it feels unreal to have real relationships with friends from all the continents of the world. I don’t know what can ever match this experience in this lifetime.”

    When it comes to the NY Bar, how early did you start your preparations, and how would you advice future applicants to approach the exam?

    I did not start the preparations at an ideal time for the NY bar, mostly due to my engaging fellowship, even though most of the people around me started 4 to 5 months before the day of exam. I think planning your studies subject-wise, devoting substantial time each day on them and working a bit extra on your weaknesses clicked for me. There are several online and in-class tuitions available for the bar but you always have to devise your own methods and strategies if you’re running against time.

    I had two-and-a-half months in toto so I dedicated 16 to 18 hours every day on the NY bar preparations. One needs to be mentally strong, patient and have perseverance to set daily goals and achieve them irrespective of failures. After all, achieving several smaller goals allow you to accomplish bigger things in life.

    What is your reading of the US legal recruitment market when it comes to international LLM graduates?

    My personal experience is that the U.S. market is not very favourable for immigrant lawyers, even after completing the LL.M. They do import a lot of scientists, engineers and mathematicians but that doesn’t seem to apply to the legal job market.

    Having said that, I would still not discourage anyone from giving it their best shot like I did. Fellowships and trainings help a great deal as they let you establish contacts and give you an experience of the working environment there. It always fancies your chances to apply at a firm where you have already worked earlier.

    By the time I graduated, the recruitment scene had changed a lot as the new regime did not employ favourable policies for immigrants. However, I know for a fact that things will not remain the same always and one should always have a positive attitude towards any of their goals.

    Looking back, how do you think the LLM has helped you in your professional growth?

    It gave me a 360 degree perspective and a habit of pushing my limits when it comes to hard work and determination. Doing a masters is not only about the degree, it teaches you about living a life in unfavourable conditions and making you work for every small thing as nothing comes for granted.

    “Doing a masters is not only about the degree, it teaches you about living a life in unfavourable conditions and making you work for every small thing as nothing comes for granted.”

    Another important aspect is the opportunity to get connected to a global network of lawyers because of the exposure it gives you. Preparing and passing the New York Bar has given me a great deal of confidence in my abilities and some recognition which helps every now and then.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering an LLM abroad?

    I reckon the most relevant questions to tackle are

    • What your career path is going to look like eventually; and
    • What will your specialisation be in.

    The subjects you pursue remain with you for the entire life so it is important to either have a passion for that field of law before or a utility of it later. Doing an LL.M. means spending a lot of money, and it will only be wise to make an informed decision. Getting work experience before applying, increases the value of your application and you tend to have a better chance of getting a good college.

    But not everyone can leave a job abruptly and go back to student life with financial dependence on parents or loans. A lot of times people enrol in LLM and go through it without recognizing any value addition to their experience or learning. It looks good on a resume but what it will do for you personally is the question that should have an answer for.

    “A lot of times people enrol in LLM and go through it without recognizing any value addition to their experience or learning. It looks good on a resume but what it will do for you personally is the question that should have an answer for.”

  • First Person Accounts (International): Faith P. Mumia on the LL.M. at Koç University

    First Person Accounts (International): Faith P. Mumia on the LL.M. at Koç University

    As most readers know by now, First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian law graduates who have pursued, or are currently pursuing, a post-graduate course (be it an LLM or otherwise) from different schools across the world.

    The FPA (International) is meant to broaden this scope somewhat, getting non-Indian law graduates to discuss their LL.M. experiences in different law schools from across the world. The idea behind the FPA(I) interviews is to help the Indian law graduate better understand her potential cohort, and also expand the LL.M. conversation in general.

    Faith Pepela Mumia is currently pursuing a master’s in law from Koç University in Turkey. In this interview, she shares her reasons for opting for the LLM with a thesis option, the most enjoyable aspect of the LL.M. experience thus far, and a whole lot more.

    Why have you decided to pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree?

    I am in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the Legal Code that protects us from anarchy. I love the law and its ability to lead and follow change in society for the continuation of peaceful co-existence. An LLM would be a conduit to the attainment of that understanding, and also professional growth.

    Why did you choose to study at Koç University?

    Koç University is one of the best universities in Turkey and in the world. I was aware of the impeccable track record and professional qualifications and skills that the Law Faculty rightly boasts of and greatly desired to be moulded further into a better academic and lawyer by them.

    Koç University also inspires trust in their international students and that created a feeling of being in a home away from home.

    Could you describe the LL.M. course you are studying?

    I am currently studying in the LLM with Thesis in Public Law. It comprises core public law courses such as Comparative Constitutional, International Criminal Law and Human Rights Law together with other minor public law courses and gives more in-depth understanding as to their operation in the present day society as well the contemporary issues that arise from their application or lack thereof.

    Which classes do you like most and why?

    Currently, per the timetable I have only had interaction with 3 courses and greatly enjoy all of them. I love the Transnational European Criminal Law and Procedure Class, the Investment Treaty and Arbitration Class and the International Labour Law class because all of them involve intense professor-student engagement, sound discussions, in-depth seminars and teaching and a lot of learning.

    How do you finance your education?

    The University graciously offered me a scholarship which included 100% Tuition Waiver and Student Housing. My parents support me financially to cover my living expenses.

    What was your most exiting, interesting, astonishing or hilarious experience at Koç University so far?

    This happened recently. I had my birthday and the students of the faculty and our faculty coordinator brought me cake with candles and sang “Happy Birthday” for me. I was very excited to note that the University not only cares for my growth intellectually but also cares for wholesome growth socially as well.

    What is the best thing about the program?

    The transformation and student-student and professor-student engagement that happens during Seminars.

    Name three terms that you associate with the word “law”.

    Change. Peace. Hope.

    What are your plans after graduating?

    I intend to proceed to a PhD, continue publishing, get actively involved in Policy Development and Research, and even teaching.

    What advice do you have prospective students?

    If you are looking to be challenged intellectually in the field of Law, look no further. Koç University is an institution with amazing facilities and home to innovative and transformative thinking and research as well as globally recognized professors. It is a place that inspires hope and trust with its treatment of international students of all backgrounds.

    You can find more about the LLM program here and the PhD in law program here. You can also read an interview with Esra Ozcan, Executive Director at Koç University Law School.

     

    (Disclosure: Amicus Partners is an authorised agent representative of Koç University. The contents of this interview were provided by Koç University)

  • First Person Accounts: Abhimanyu Verma on the MBL at Freie Universität Berlin

    First Person Accounts: Abhimanyu Verma on the MBL at Freie Universität Berlin

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of law graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    In this edition, Abhimanyu Verma talks about the Masters of Business, Competition and Regulatory Laws (MBL) at the Freie Universität Berlin. A graduate of the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (Class of ’16), Abhimanyu worked as a litigation professional for close to two years before signing up for the MBL course.

    After graduating in law, you chose to work as a litigation professional. What made you decide to study outside the country, and when did you start the preparations?

    After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in law, I decided that a varied litigation practice would assist me in finding specific interest areas to focus on. While working, I had the opportunity to assist my senior in Competition Law matters representing the Competition Commission of India at the Appellate Body and the Apex Court levels. I had no prior experience or knowledge in Competition Law.

    However, after working on a few matters, the significance and the breadth of its application was the principal motivation for me applying for a master’s degree abroad. I was aware that the US, EU and Australia had expanded on global competition law for many decades. From June of 2017 onwards, I decided focus on schools in these regions as a precursor to my application process.

    “I was aware that the US, EU and Australia had expanded on global competition law for many decades. From June of 2017 onwards, I decided focus on schools in these regions as a precursor to my application process.”

    How did you go about selecting where to apply, what were the schools that you applied to, and what got you to narrow down on Freie Universitat Berlin?

    At the outset, I narrowed my choice to Europe as the parallels in Competition Law and Policy between the EU and India are numerous. I had offers from the University of Melbourne, King’s College, London and Queen Mary University of London in addition to Freie Universitat.

    My decision to choose Freie Universitat was based on the assessment of the course and the wealth of experience that the lecturers that taught the course brought to the table.

    An important factor that determined my choice was advice from my senior, Mr. Naveen R. Nath, AOR. He advised me that the course is not just aimed at competition law students but also students that wish to learn about regulatory law, telecommunications law, energy and intellectual property rights.

    Could you shed some light on the application process for the MBL? Any advice for prospective applicants?

    The MBL programme selects 35 students for its class each year. The applications commence from January to May every year. The process to apply is relatively straightforward as they require all documents to be uploaded on their portal itself. The MBL programme requires a minimum of one year of relevant work experience in the relevant fields of the course, i.e. Competition, Energy or Telecommunications.

    The most important part of the application process is the Statement of Motivation. It is the pivot for a prospective applicant to highlight how their previous work experience would align with and contribute to the learning from the programme.

    “The most important part of the application process is the Statement of Motivation. It is the pivot for a prospective applicant to highlight how their previous work experience would align with and contribute to the learning from the programme.”

    How has the MBL experience been thus far? Any highlights along the way? The curriculum looks fairly demanding with 8-hour classroom sessions – was this difficult to cope with?

    The MBL programme has been an enriching course. It has given me a good insight into regulatory laws of not just Germany and the EU but of the US as well. The 8-hour classes do get a little exhausting! But they’re peppered with breaks so there is some respite.

    The course has been structured in this manner leaving the rest of the week free to study and prepare for the oncoming lectures or to enhance one’s own knowledge in EU law.

    What are your plans after the MBL? What is your reading of the recruitment chances of international graduates in Germany?

    I intend to return to India and work in the field of Competition Law as well as regulated sectors such as Telecommunications and Energy. Germany looks at highly skilled individuals to employ and in most cases, the pre-requisite to work requires a comprehensive grasp of the language.

    While the European Union is an integrated structure, knowledge of one or more of the EU’s official languages is an important asset for a job seeker.

    “While the European Union is an integrated structure, knowledge of one or more of the EU’s official languages is an important asset for a job seeker.”

    International graduates, specifically in law, have a chance of recruitment provided they have experience in M&A, Arbitration, Competition Law etc. for a minimum of 3-4 years. It is possible to garner experience through internships and subsequently build upon work experience in the EU as well.

    Lastly, any advice for Indian law graduates who are looking to do a master’s abroad? 

    One important skill to constantly work on assess is the ability to research and write research papers. It has been an important part of my course and from an educational standpoint, it is the most rewarding process to hone one’s skill.

    Freie Universitat also constantly reminds me of how important it is, to reflect originality of thought in one’s work. This is something every prospective master’s degree applicant will have to keep in mind while applying to law schools abroad.