Student life in Bangor

Promising future lies ahead for Bangor graduate

Stephen Clear A talented student who is graduating with a First Class Honours Law degree from Bangor University has won a scholarship to study to become a barrister. Stephen Clear, 21, from London will take up his studies for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at BPP Law School.

However, before moving on to the Bar, Stephen will be remaining in Bangor for one more year to study a Masters in Public Law and Devolved Government.

Stephen said, “I came to Bangor University because it was so different from what I was used to. At Bangor the lecturers know students’ names and provide one-to-one contact. I feel this is part of the reason I have been able to achieve so much, as my lecturers could use their contacts to get in touch with the right people within the legal profession.

“I’ve had many highlights whilst I’ve been here. I’ve had the opportunity to write a dissertation looking into ministerial expenses and the use of social networking technology in helping Ministers communicate with the electorate. This made studying law come alive and I even got the opportunity to correspond with Boris Johnson, Nick Clegg’s Office and even Prime Minister David Cameron! I also represented Bangor University in a meeting with HRH the Prince of Wales, which was a great experience, although it was very nerve-wracking trying to drink tea in front of royalty!”

During his time in Bangor Stephen combined his studies with a variety of roles, such as serving on the Law School’s Staff-Student Committee and writing for the student newspaper. He was also elected President of the Student Law Society in his second year and ‘Master of the Moot’ in the third year, which meant he was responsible for organising mock trials.

Describing how it feels to have received First Class honours, Stephen said, “It feels fantastic to be graduating from Bangor and I really feel that I have achieved above and beyond what I expected.”