More graduates are tipping the scales of justice

Two of our Bachelor of Laws (LLB) alumni who live near England’s South Coast, both now undertaking AI-related postgraduate studies, show that the OU caters for both school leavers and those wanting a career change a bit later in life.

Laura has quite a Canterbury tale to share

A 41-year-old with five children including four with disabilities, Laura Bean from Canterbury (pictured) had left school at 16.

Two major incidents threatened to derail her OU studies. During her first year, Laura and her children had to live with friends for a few months while she arranged a new home. Then her mum was diagnosed with lung cancer before an operation to remove the cancer went wrong and she was in a coma for six weeks.

Laura, who has her own disabilities, is now studying for a Master of Laws (LLM) with the University of Law, in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology, and has been awarded a Lord (David) Blunkett Widening Access Scholarship to cover some of the tuition fees.

She said: “Don’t let anyone, or anything, stand in the way of you bettering yourself. Becoming a mother is my proudest achievement, but gaining a first-class honours law degree with very minimal sleep is a close second! It has given me a wealth of knowledge which I hope will benefit my children and other people in my life.”

Read more of Laura’s story.

And Caroline also shows Which path to follow

Southampton-based Caroline Clayton (pictured), who turned 25 this August, graduated with her Law degree in 2022.

Her successful OU studies earned a place at the University of Cambridge for a Master of Studies (MSt) in AI, Society & Ethics.

She is also a Senior Policy Advisor for the UK’s consumer champion, Which?, working in the Digital and Data Policy team on areas such as artificial intelligence and smart data recently.

Caroline said: “My academic studies with both the OU and at Cambridge have prepared me for a career in digital policy, focusing on areas increasingly impacted by the proliferation of AI and digitalisation.”

Read more of Caroline’s story.