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- 55% overall average in your Law Degree
- English Language IELTS 7 (7 in writing)
- TOEFL iBT 106 (25 in writing)
Student Profile: Prateek Maheshwari
Personal Information
Name:
Prateek Maheshwari (Advocate & Solicitor)
Course:
LL.M (International Business Law)
Where are you originally from?
Indore (M.P.), India
Where did you do your undergraduate degree?
School of Law, Devi Ahilya University, Indore (M.P.)
Where do you live?
Indore (M.P.), India
About Your Studies
Why did you undertake a postgraduate course?
My postgraduate degree has given me an in-depth knowledge of the subject. It was after completion of my degree from Devi Ahilya that I was determined to pursue a postgraduate degree in International Business Law from the University of Manchester, my intention being to understand business laws in an international concept.
Why did you choose your course and why did you choose to study at The University of Manchester?
The University of Manchester degree of International Business Laws happened to be a wonderful combination of subjects which were actually not dealt with in detail in my undergraduate course; however such vital subjects were emerging as a need in the country and were developing as such. Examples are subjects like Intellectual Property Laws, Informational Technology Law, and International Economic Law. Students have a wide ranging choice of subjects of interest to choose from. Therefore, despite having offers from other eminent universities, the curriculum programme of Manchester University was the best available option for an Indian student like me.
So far as opting for Manchester University is concerned, I feel the School of Law has the best available facility for teaching subjects of my preference. For example Prof. John Birds (Company Law), Prof. Dennis Khong (Intellectual Property law &Information Technology Law), Prof. Asif Quereshi (International Economic Law) are the best available legal academics with superb profiles and vast ranging experience in their respective fields. Also, the Manchester University remains one of the best in the Russell Group of Universities.
Coupled with the best teaching staff, the Law School also has the comprehensive “John Ryland’s Library” with the best available electronic resources for students. A combination of infrastructural resources coupled with teaching staff was not available to me with other universities from which I had offers. Therefore, for all of the reasons as mentioned above, I joined the LL.M Programme with School of Law, University of Manchester (U.K.).
What do you enjoy about your course/research?
Well, there remain several points of appreciation and impression that I have about my course curriculum and research. The first thing about the course is the international exposure observed in classroom study, as students across several countries participate in the LL.M Programme and interactions with such variants made me learn a lot about different cultures and legal systems.
Secondly, the faculty and tutors are so kind and helpful in appreciating the questions and queries of the students to the best possible extent. Here I would like to mention that for the purposes of seminars and research I was allotted with a personal tutor “Mr. Nuno Ferreira” who gains my appreciation for my excellent marks obtained in course and degree and he explained to me thoroughly the methodologies of work and study. He was a tutor-cum-friend for me and we enjoyed a good relationship during and after the course. He also provided with me a beautiful gift book “Rules of Life” before my departure, wishing me all the best for future; this happens to be a wonderful book and a must read.
What new skills did you learn through your postgraduate study?
Well, I feel there are several new skills which have been embedded in my persona through enrolment in the LL.M Programme, especially my analytical and research skill have enhanced to apex. Being a practicing lawyer and solicitor such skills which have been developed with a new insight are useful in my everyday life and useful in case study and research. In a nutshell, the ability to understand complex legal issues and finding a way through legal research is the most useful skill I have developed through the LL.M Programme of Manchester University.
How did the course suite your needs? (e.g. structure, contact with lecturers/supervisors etc)?
As mentioned above, the course is perfectly suited to my needs and especially to needs of lawyers and legal academia wanting to take a lead in international business matters. The course structure is wonderfully designed and complete flexibility is provided to students who are able choose the topics of their interests during the programme. As mentioned above, the tutor supervisor system of the law school is beyond appreciation, as they help new students to understand the educational system in order to comply with their daily assignments and classroom study approach.
How many hours did you study on campus and how many hours self study did you do?
Well, it was approximately around 30 hours a week in total with campus facilities including classes, seminars, workshops and library. Other than the said period, rest time was allotted for completing self-study of the handouts and referred material provided in handouts, searching through online resources.
What are your future plans and how do you think your postgraduate studies have helped you achieve them?
Well, my future plans are starting to take shape. Before starting my career in law, I wanted to establish a full service law firm in my hometown Indore (M.P.) as there happened to be no concept of such firms. In order to accomplish the same after returning back I was successful in establishing a firm and in the last two years the firm, named as “KPM & Associates”, has established its identity in Central India, serving the needs of domestic litigants coupled with serving overall specialized needs of companies with international business requirements in India.
I feel my education at Manchester Law School has broadened my vision and thinking and has made me launch a new concept of firm culture and a platform to meet international clients and understanding their needs. Due to my postgraduate degree at Manchester, despite being quite young in age (26 yrs.) the clients trust me and feel me competent to independently look after their work in the Courts of Law.
Away from your studies:
What do you like about the city?
Well the best thing about the city is that perfect size and life of the city, which is neither too big, like other cities, nor too small. The city life is just like a metro and everything from the campus is easily approachable. Further, the location of student accommodation and its nearness to the University Campus is appreciable. Places like London are approachable in around two hours time only. In all, the Manchester City experience is worth remembering and has attained the nature of eternal memories.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I used to go for short trips to visit places around the city of Manchester through international society tours majorly arranged on weekends. Such ways could serve my wish to see new places coupled with getting ready for upcoming working days of weeks. Other than short trips, moving around in the City Centre was also our favourite past time, where we enjoy watching movies (also Indian Movies are being released).
How affordable is Manchester?
Well, Manchester University Fees is as equal as any other University Fees within U.K. However the city of Manchester is better and more affordable in comparison to other cities of England. We can find almost all varieties of Indian Vegetables and grocery items at worldwide nearby shops, making life as easy and convenient as in India.
Finally how would you describe your time at Manchester University to a friend from home?
Well, the Manchester experience has changed my life completely. I am more competent and independent now to meet new challenges of life at a personal and professional level. The experiences and qualification gathered from the LL.M Programme has proved very fruitful to me and I would recommend the programme, especially LL.M (International Business Law) to interested students/lawyers from India and abroad who wish to become Internationally equipped commercial lawyers.
Prateek Maheshwari
Advocate (M.P. High Court)