Miles is a graduate from the LLB Scots and English Law and LLM Criminal Justice & Penal Change programme at the University of Strathclyde
Tell us a little bit about your background...
Before starting my masters at Strathclyde, I had completed my LLB in Scots and English Law at Strathclyde. I was freshly out of my undergrad when I applied for the masters.
What drew you towards undertaking a Masters degree?
I initially was interested in undertaking the LLM in Criminal Justice and Penal Change due to Honours year classes that I had taken. I found the subject matter (how and why responses to crime evolve over time) to be fascinating, and wanted to study it in more depth.
Tell us about the format of the programme. What was a typical week like?
During first semester we had two modules. This was increased to three elective modules in second semester, followed thereafter by the dissertation component. During term time, a typical week involved attending seminars for these classes, which tended to be two to three hours per class. Preparation for seminars would involve reading academic articles, studies and the relevant law from a set reading list. Rather than exams, each class was assessed through various pieces of coursework throughout the semester.
Tell us a little bit about your dissertation topic...
My dissertation focused on the development of the use of electronic monitoring of offenders in the USA and to what extent this was informed by the neo-liberal developments of the late 20th century. I was supported by a fantastic supervisor, who met with me regularly to answer any questions that I had.
What was the academic support at Strathclyde like?
The quality of teaching at Strathclyde was excellent, and staff were always willing to answer questions. Furthermore, opportunities for feedback were integrated into the module, so that we could implement feedback at the next available opportunity.
Tell us a little bit about how your degree has helped you in your post-University life...
Currently, I work as a research assistant at the Law Commission of England and Wales. I feel that this degree has helped to finetune my legal research and writing skills, which I use every day in this role. Further, the degree has provided me with a unique perspective into the operation of criminal justice, which has allowed me to directly contribute ideas to the development of the criminal law in England and Wales.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this course?
The best part of the course was the variety of trips and practical experiences that were available to us. We had the opportunity to visit the problem-solving courts in Glasgow Sheriff court and to speak to a judge working in those courts. We got to visit prisons and speak to staff about how they view their role in criminal justice. Also, we got to attend the Children’s Hearing System and roleplay as a panel member. We also received guest lectures from experts in their field, such as Tim Chapman, a world leading expert in restorative justice. My advice would be to take advantage of all the opportunities available to you, as you are not likely to get these anywhere else!