Welcome to the Nigeria page
Entry Requirements
- 2.1 (high 2.2 will be considered) in your Law Degree
- English Language minimum Grade C GCSE
Student Profile: Folarin Akinbami
Personal Information
Name:
Folarin Akinbami
Course:
LL.M (2003-2004)
Where are you originally from?
Nigeria
Where did you do your undergraduate degree?
University of Manchester
Where do you live?
I live in Manchester
About your studies
Why did you undertake a postgraduate course?
I undertook a postgraduate course to improve my skills, gain better qualifications, and improve my employability.
Why did you choose your course and why did you choose to study at the University of Manchester?
I chose to do the LL.M in International Business Law because I have a keen interest in commercial and business law. I chose to study at the University of Manchester because I had already done my undergraduate degree here. This meant that I knew many of the staff in the Law School and I had already built up a good network of friends and colleagues from my earlier years of study.
What did you enjoy about your course/research?
There were a variety of course units on offer, and the ones I chose gave me good insights into different areas of commercial law- I chose International Law of Credit and Security, International Banking Law, Corporations and International Business Law and EC Labour Law.
What new skills do you think you have learnt through your postgraduate study?
I have learnt several skills on my postgraduate study. These include, among others, qualitative skills, analytical skills, organisational skills and the ability to take the initiative.
How did the course suit your needs? (e.g. structure, contact with lecturers/supervisors etc)
The course is a taught Masters course, so it involves attending lectures, and in some cases, tutorials. The method of assessment is exams in each of the individual course units, and then a dissertation/research paper based on a topic relating any one of the individual units. The lecturers were very accessible, and were always happy to answer questions or provide advice where necessary.
How many hours did you spend on campus and how many hours of self study do you have to do?
Lectures tend to take up about 6-8 hours of your week, but at Masters level a good deal of independent study is required. An extra 20-25 hours per week would be sufficient to keep pace with what is being discussed in the lectures.
What are your future plans and how do you think your postgraduate study will help you achieve them?
I have just completed my PhD, also at the University of Manchester, and I will be pursuing a career in academia. The LL.M helped me develop some of the skills necessary to write a PhD, and served as a useful stepping stone to help me pursue my career in academia.
Away from your studies
What do you like about the city?
I like Manchester because it is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, which has lots to offer and lots of things to do, for example the theatre, cinema, museums, bars and football stadiums.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I read, watch live football matches and socialise.
How affordable is Manchester?
Manchester is brilliant because it is less expensive than London, while having many of the attractions that London has.
Finally, how would you describe your time at Manchester University to a friend from home?
I would describe my time at Manchester as very good. I have made many friends and achieved a lot.