Tolulope Oke (Regulation and Compliance LLM, 2022)
"The teaching and learning method at CCLS, Queen Mary is one of the best I have experienced."
Year of graduation: 2022
Name of programme: Regulation and Compliance LLM
Country: UK
What influenced your decision to study at Queen Mary?
My decision to study at CCLS Queen Mary was largely influenced by the course selection, Regulation and Compliance, which had a wide and applicable range of modules. Based on my work experience as a Compliance Officer, the course and content further established my decision to obtain a master’s degree from Queen Mary. I was able to choose core compliance related modules and core regulatory modules which are valuable and ultimately beneficial to my career.
How did you find the teaching and learning?
The professors are immensely knowledgeable and engaging. Teaching and learning were very detailed, comprehensive, and practical. The reading materials were current and accessible, with opportunities for class discussions, assessments, and analysis of the relevance of the materials. I had the opportunity to express opinions and question processes with appropriate guidance. The practical learning further prepared me for reentry into a professional environment which has been immensely beneficial.
What was key about your programme/ were there any highlights?
My highlight without a doubt was my dissertation. The dissertation was a two-part project. First, an essay which was to document a procedural manual to be adopted in an industry with supporting justification for the procedural steps. The second project was a thesis which provided the opportunity for independent research in my area of interest. I received adequate guidance from my professor who had in-depth knowledge and was very supportive in reviewing and providing constructive feedback. These two projects not only enabled me to develop and improve upon my research and writing skills but have been adaptable in my current work.
Did you combine modules across specialisations and if so, what were the advantages of this?
I combined modules from financial regulations, securities regulations, insurance and core compliance modules. I was able to interact with other students and gain some insight into their learnings as well. These are now applicable in interacting with colleagues in various industries different from mine with some understanding of the topics of discussions.
What did you enjoy about living in London whilst studying at CCLS?
London is a beautiful, fast-paced city with lots of exposure and opportunities. While studying at CCLS, I was introduced to a diverse world of people, learnt about various cultures and I was able to enjoy the various social events, from visiting the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum, to enjoying stage plays at Lyceum Theatre.
Did you learn alongside and are you still in touch with classmates from other legal jurisdictions around the world? How did this add to your experience?
I did learn alongside classmates from other jurisdictions around the world. I am in touch with some of my classmates. It was interesting learning about the various legal systems, compliance mechanisms adopted in other countries and the outcomes therefrom. This has fueled my interest in considering global job opportunities to gain experience.
Has gaining a deeper understanding of your specialisation helped your career?
I had about 5 years’ work experience prior to studying Regulation and Compliance at QMUL. My experience cut across the EMEA region, with more focus on Nigeria, Spain, and France. However, with my study, I have been given an opportunity in the United Kingdom, which in turn has given me the chance to interact with Companies in Africa, and other European countries. I understand the applicable regulations, able to provide legal opinions which focus directly on providing solutions.
What piece of insight or advice would you offer for future students?
The teaching and learning method at CCLS, Queen Mary is one of the best I have experienced. It is practical and comprehensive, which gives you the opportunity to apply yourself, be analytical and thorough. It is most importantly relevant to the current economic and business environment. The modules are well detailed and should be properly assessed to ensure you get the optimal output from your study and take advantage of the lecturers’ availability, ask questions and seek to gain more understanding.
What was your best experience of studying at Queen Mary?
My best experience was being able to serve as the Course Representative for my course of study - the Regulation & Compliance LLM. I was able to interact with lecturers, support staff and students as well as provide solutions where required. To crown all my efforts, I was recognized as the Course Representative for the Month of March 2022 for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Would you be willing to share your Testimonial? If so, you could help a prospective student to make an informed choice to study at Queen Mary. (Class of 2020, 2021 and 2022 only).