Philippa, who goes by the name Pip, developed a keen interest in law having grown up in a family of lawyers. Their influence was evident on Pip from a young age, who says she has always analysed information from a legal point of view.

Her passion to see the fulfilment of justice emerged as she grew older, leading to her studying Law at A-Level and seeking out work experience opportunities in the industry before joining Leeds Trinity University in 2019.

The four-year course Pip has completed includes an initial full-time Foundation Year and offers an alternative route into university and gaining a degree. This allows students to develop their academic skills and confidence, in addition to introducing them to key concepts and skills that will support and inform their subsequent years of undergraduate study.

Starting with a Foundation Year, Pip quickly became heavily involved in the Leeds Trinity community by taking on extra responsibilities. She created and chaired the Student Law Society, organising extra-curricular activities for her peers such as mooting competitions, which have subsequently become an annual event in the School of Law.

This represented Pip stepping out of her comfort zone, but the challenge of leading the Society, along with completing the legal clinic module in her final year, has increased her confidence, communication and people skills, all of which will be beneficial in her future career.

Pip’s theoretical understanding of law has also developed greatly as reflected by her consistently high grades throughout her time at Leeds Trinity.

As she graduates today, Pip said: “I am ecstatic to have achieved a First -Class degree, it has involved a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment to get to this point. I struggled at school, so to do this shows how much time and effort has been put in over the past four years and means a lot to me. I have to thank my lecturers too as they have given me lots of support. I am now very much looking forward to my future legal career, and I will be forever grateful for my time at Leeds Trinity.”

Julia Aveyard, Senior Lecturer in Law and Pip’s personal tutor, said: “The whole Law team are very proud of all that Pip has achieved during her time with us. Pip started out on the Foundation Year programme and has achieved a First Class Honours. The standard of Pip’s academic work was always exceptional, and I don’t think she ever missed a class. Pip has been an active member of our Law Society and is very much an inspiration to other law students.”

For more information on the LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation Year degree, which is now in Clearing, visit the website.