Ellen Shepherdson

LLB, 2026, South College

Looking back, one of the greatest advantages of studying Law at Durham was the flexibility of the degree and the opportunity to explore different areas of law before deciding where I wanted my career to take me. I arrived at university unsure of which area of law, or even which career path, I ultimately wanted to pursue.

Through the optional modules available in my second and third years, particularly International Criminal Law and Advanced Issues in Criminal Law, I found myself increasingly drawn to criminal law. Those modules sparked an interest that I was able to explore further through my dissertation. I graduated with a First-Class degree, and my dissertation, which was also awarded a First, critically examined the law on stalking through a radical feminist lens.

Beyond my studies, Durham’s collegiate system encouraged me to become involved in student life in a way that complemented my academic experience. Serving as President of three different clubs, while also being an active member of numerous societies and sports clubs at both the collegiate and university level, has taught me how to lead diverse groups of people, balance competing priorities and work collaboratively under pressure. These experiences were invaluable during the graduate recruitment process, giving me practical examples of leadership, resilience and teamwork alongside my academic achievements.

This year, I will complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations before beginning my training contract as a Legal Trainee with the Crown Prosecution Service. On completion of my training, I will qualify as a Solicitor Crown Prosecutor.

Looking back, Durham gave me far more than just a legal education, but the confidence to discover where my interests lay, the opportunity to pursue them academically, and the experiences that enabled me to begin my career as a future Solicitor Crown Prosecutor.

I found Durham’s careers support to be a valuable resource throughout the application process. I met with the Careers Service to discuss my applications and interview preparation, and the advice I received helped me understand what employers were looking for and how to approach each stage of the recruitment process with greater confidence.

More broadly, I appreciated that careers support was readily available whenever I needed it. Having access to tailored advice and practical resources complemented my academic studies and gave me greater confidence as I navigated graduate recruitment.

My advice is to make the most of every opportunity Durham has to offer. Your degree is only one part of the experience. Getting involved in sports, societies and college life pushed me well beyond my comfort zone and gave me opportunities to lead, collaborate and grow in confidence. Looking back, those experiences were just as valuable as my academic studies.