Ellie Martin - LLB (Hons) Law

Having always thrived in an educational environment, Ellie Martin had initially decided to move away and experience life elsewhere before a few months in lockdown led her back to RGU and full-time higher education.

“Throughout school I had intended to study at RGU, but at the end of sixth year I decided I would move away for university after having spent my whole life in Aberdeen. When my final few months at secondary were cut short by the pandemic, causing me to spend the next several months at home, it afforded me a lot of time to really think about this next phase of my life.

“Moving away seemed like a great idea to allow myself to branch out and experience new places, but I ultimately realised that I wasn’t ready to leave my home. This last-minute decision naturally brought me back to RGU through clearing.

“Like most aspiring lawyers, I have always had a passion for justice, so what initially attracted me to a legal career was the notion of wanting to help others and make a real difference to the world.

“RGU’s modern and unique approach to teaching appealed to me greatly. The modules and modes of teaching offered by the RGU Law School felt like the best fit for me. I believed it would be the ideal setting for me to discover what I was truly interested in, and to learn in ways which were not as rigid and conventional as other universities.”

During her time at RGU, the 22-year-old has been taught by both practising solicitors and staff with past experiences in the legal field who can all offer first hand insight and accurate knowledge on what a career in law could look like.

As well as this, she described the support provided by the University as “second to none” that has allowed her to “gain the confidence to begin my legal career on a strong foundation.” Through the ups and downs of challenging studies, the support provided by lecturers went above and beyond, particularly her dissertation supervisor who “provided invaluable support throughout the entire process.”

“Achieving a first class honours LLB was always my biggest goal, and I could not be prouder to say that all the hard work paid off in the end. Nonetheless, this achievement is a testament to the unwavering support and excellent standard of teaching provided by the Law School staff.”

“RGU is renowned for its excellent employability statistics – something which attracted me to the University in the first place – and throughout my course I have come to understand why this is the case. RGU offers an excellent variety of employability and careers advice, and I have found most of my employability skills throughout my modules themselves.”

Ellie has applied to undertake the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) in order to help advance her legal career. Following a successful vacation scheme with a multinational law firm, she has also accepted a legal traineeship and will begin her legal career by working in Aberdeen at Pinsent Masons in September 2025.

Reflecting upon her clearing experience and the accessibility of universities to future school leavers like her, Ellie was optimistic.

“I attended a school which at the time was underrepresented in higher education. I was very aware that there were certain difficulties myself and my peers could face when applying to universities – particularly that some were just known as being somewhat inaccessible for students from similar schools.

“RGU ensured that a course like law was accessible to all students by maintaining excellent connections and implementing the correct adjustments – an aspect which I have always respected and supported.

“I have become aware of several new support services and strategies offered by the University which widens the accessibility of higher education. RGU has made itself a front runner in ensuring people from all walks of life have a very real option to attend university, and I hope that any aspiring student who believes university is out of their reach feels encouraged to consider an education at RGU.”