Alumni support helps power Tamsyn's legal journey

Supported by a Foundation Year Success Bursary, funded through regular gifts from supporters and alumni, Tamsyn has been able to cover her essential travel costs and purchase a dedicated laptop for her studies.

Mum-of-two Tamsyn, who works as a business manager for the NHS, said: “I do feel incredibly lucky to have been selected as one of the students to benefit from a bursary, because it has made a huge difference. It’s really reassuring to know there’s that bursary there to cover a big proportion of the expenses of going to university. It’s even more meaningful to know that there’s a community coming together to support students.”

That reassurance has allowed Tamsyn to focus fully on her university studies - a long-held ambition. She said: “From a very young age, I always wanted to go to university, but I ended up having my children relatively young and so it just wasn't really an option back then.”

When she began exploring the possibility of returning to education, Birkbeck’s flexible teaching model stood out as the ideal solution for balancing study with work and family life. Tamsyn said: “One of the things that really appealed to me was the fact that I was able to keep up with my work commitments and my parental responsibilities by studying in the evening.”

After researching universities and courses, which involved reading positive feedback from Birkbeck’s Law students on LinkedIn, Tamsyn chose to begin with a Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Studies before progressing to the LLB Law with Foundation Year, building her confidence and academic foundations step by step. “I have absolutely loved it. All the tutors are lovely and really supportive,” she said.

Alongside her studies, Tamsyn has made full use of the support available at Birkbeck. She said: “I have used the Student Advice Service whenever I have needed advice on something. The staff are very friendly, and no question goes unanswered. I believe that having a support system in place like this is essential for academic progression, and it shows that Birkbeck are invested in their students.”

The impact of Tamsyn’s studies is already evident in her professional life, having recently secured a new role within the NHS corporate services directorate, focusing on legal and governance. She said: “One of the things that came through in my interview was the fact that I was doing my law degree and that I had been successful with my bursary. I’ve already found that the skills I’ve learnt at Birkbeck have been transferrable to work. Last year, I had feedback from one of my managers to say that I was really applying myself and thinking in a different way.”

Looking ahead, Tamsyn hopes eventually to move fully into the legal sector, potentially within a corporate law firm in central London, and is exploring opportunities such as judicial assistant roles to gain further experience.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Tamsyn says studying at Birkbeck has already been transformative: “It's definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made.”