Joshua Benn

Why did you choose to study at Swansea University?

All of the courses at Swansea University are tailored for employability. More importantly, I learned through my research that the LLM in Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy Law would be taught by experts instead of pure academics. This assured me that I would receive practical knowledge of the legal, policy, and commercial dimensions of the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors. Of particular interest was the International Commercial Arbitration module, the successful completion of which would afford me the possibility of becoming an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Can you tell us about your course and what do you enjoy the most?

Quoting the words of the Director of the LLM programme, Professor Baris Soyer, the LLM is no ‘Mickey Mouse LLM.’ The LLM in Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy Law is robust and guaranteed to enhance my legal knowledge. I am provided with both lectures and seminars, which greatly assist with my understanding of the various topics. Interactions during both sessions are encouraged by all lecturers. Moreover, even if some students may be too shy to participate in class, the lecturers make it known that they are always accessible to answer questions. In fact, each student is provided with a mentor in the form of a lecturer to ensure that their journey is manageable.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the vast resources made available by the lecturers to aid with our studies. What I enjoy the most is the individual feedback given on my assessments by the lecturers, which enlightens me about what is for my improvement moving forward. 

What are your three favourite things about Swansea?

My three favourite things about Swansea are:

1. Walks along the singleton beach. Because of its coastal defences, the beach looks much like Guyana's seawall.
2. The variety of activities available, from delicious eateries to affordable shopping outlets – there is always something to do! I came from Guyana, which is tropical, so adjusting to the weather in Swansea required, among other things, reshuffling my wardrobe, which was made easier by the affordable shopping outlets.
3. The opportunity to network with individuals from various cultural backgrounds.

Would you recommend Swansea University to other international students?

Most definitely! With expert lecturers and world-class educational facilities, including a library that is open 24/7 and also provides online access to a wide range of resources, Swansea University is the University to be!