Shenling Zhu

LLM in Law

The teaching staff are extremely friendly and very approachable, making the time and effort to talk to students outside of the classroom.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Economic Law from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in 2004 and have practised as both an in-house lawyer and commercial attorney for the past six years.

I currently work at Nuodilaw firm in Shanghai, specialising in Corporate Law, Employment Law and have gradually taken on more work relating to the establishment of foreign enterprises in China. It was this latter aspect of my job, working with multinational firms, which made me consider pursuing a Master's degree in the UK, especially given the growing need for me to understand European legal issues.

The University of Hertfordshire's School of Law has worked closely with the Shanghai Bureau of Justice for a long time and it has an excellent reputation. The School's LLM programme is promoted on an annual basis on the Bureau's website, including the unique opportunity to undertake an internship as part your studies.

It was the prospect of working in an English law firm that really made up my mind to study at the University of Hertfordshire. I had originally decided to pursue a pathway in Commercial Law but once I'd had the opportunity to talk to members of the academic staff, as well as to fellow students, I eventually chose to take an LLM in Commercial and Maritime Law.

This is another very attractive feature of the School's Master's programme, the ability to tailor-make your programme of studies and to undertake dual pathways of study.

From the very beginning I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the School of Law. The teaching staff are extremely friendly and very approachable, making the time and effort to talk to students outside of the classroom as well as to arrange social events throughout the year. The social events are an ideal opportunity to meet academic members of staff and other students from a wide range of backgrounds.

They also mean that you can make friends and settle into your studies at the School very quickly. For me, this has been as important as the time spent in the classroom.

Soon into my time at the School, I took on the role as a student representative for the LLM programme.

I was also asked to help coordinate the School's annual Chinese New Year Celebrations together with some classmates. The success of this event led to further LLM events including an Indian Night and African Night. I even got the chance to dance with both the Head of the Law School and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Burns Night celebrations!

I was recently nominated by the School for, and won, an International Students Award for my academic achievements and my broader contribution to the School's community. I was so proud of the fact that people had taken the time and effort to notice what I had been doing and to nominate me. That is the other important feature of the School; academic staff take the time and effort to get to know you as an individual.

I was fortunate enough to gain a place on the School's internship programme which is a highly competitive process. This allowed me to undertake an extended period of work at Curwens Solicitors which has provided me with many of the insights into European-based commercial work that I had wanted to gain whilst in the UK.

Alongside this I enrolled on the School's LLM work experience modules, which are intended to develop the writing, drafting and negotiation skills of students.

Even though they were intensive courses, I found that the School had once again taken the time and effort to provide something to students which was not only extremely useful but also great fun to participate in.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University of Hertfordshire and would recommend it to anyone.

About Shenling Zhu

Shenling Zhu (LLM, 2010) graduated with Distinction.

She is the winner of a University International Student Award for outstanding academic achievement.

Organiser of the School of Law’s Chinese New Year Celebrations and student representative on the LLM programme for 2009/10.

Shenling has returned to her job as a commercial lawyer in Shanghai.