Growing up in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire region, Isobel Munn always had a deep interest in the criminal justice system. Her academic journey began at Southfield School in Kettering, where she studied from the age of 11 through to 18. It was from there that she took her first step into higher education, enrolling at De Montfort University in Leicester.
“At 18, I attended De Montfort University in Leicester where I studied for a total of five years,” Isobel shares. “My undergraduate degree was Criminology and Criminal Justice which I completed between 2014 and 2017.”
Transitioning to Law
While her undergraduate studies laid a solid foundation in the theory of crime and justice, it was her postgraduate education that propelled Isobel towards her current role as a Criminal Defence Solicitor at Noble Solicitors. To make the leap from criminology graduate to qualified solicitor, Isobel pursued two key legal qualifications at De Montfort University: the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC).
“Between 2017 and 2018 I completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at De Montfort University,” she explains. “This was a conversion course that gave me the equivalent of a law degree. I completed the seven core modules required to achieve a law degree that would usually be split over three years.
“From 2018 to 2019, I then completed the Legal Practice Course, again at De Montfort University. This was the course that all Solicitors/Barristers were required to complete.”
The Courses That Made a Career
The importance of these postgraduate courses to Isobel’s career path cannot be overstated.
“Completion of both the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course were absolutely essential in being able to pursue employment as a Solicitor. I would not have been able to become a Solicitor without having completed the courses.”
“STWLC gave me an opportunity to invest in myself and have confidence that I could pursue my dream job.”
Discovering STWLC
However, as with many postgraduate students, funding these essential studies was a significant challenge. That’s where The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STWLC) entered the picture.
“I cannot recall exactly,” Isobel says when asked how she first discovered the Charity. “I believe that there was something advertised at the University or it may have been suggested when I was seeking support to arrange funding for my postgraduate studies.”
A Positive Experience with the Charity
What began as a potential funding solution turned into a pivotal moment in Isobel’s professional development. Her experience with STWLC was not only practical, but also motivational.
“I found the experience helpful! When applying for the loan, it was helpful to be able to clarify, in my own mind, what my plan was for the future. Everyone was very friendly and appeared as though they really wanted to help me invest in my goals.”
The Impact of STWLC
Reflecting on the overall impact of the Charity, Isobel is unequivocal.
“100%. Without STWLC, I don’t know how I would have been able to fund my postgraduate studies which ultimately led me to become a Solicitor. STWLC gave me an opportunity to invest in myself and have confidence that I could pursue my dream job. It is a fantastic Charity aimed at supporting people become their best selves; without taking anything in return. I would have no hesitation in recommending STWLC to anyone.”
Invest in Your Future
Are you looking to invest in your future through postgraduate study but unsure how to fund it?
STWLC offers interest-free education loans of up to £10,000 to help individuals take the next step in their academic and professional journey – just like Isobel did.
Find out more and apply below.