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Journalism of Courage
— Kunal Gupta
My interest in studying abroad began during my undergraduate years, when I realised how interconnected the world of law, diplomacy, and policy truly is. Participating in international moot courts and research projects exposed me to diverse legal systems, and I found myself increasingly drawn to understanding global frameworks of justice and governance. The idea of studying abroad became less about a dream and more about an academic necessity — a step towards widening my perspective and grounding my legal education in an international context.
I come from Chandigarh, and completed both my Class 10 and Class 12 from Shivalik Public School. My school, and the city itself, gave me a strong sense of grounding. My academic interests started shaping there, especially as I took part in debates, science exhibitions, and extracurricular activities that built my interest in public affairs and law.
After schooling, I moved to Symbiosis Law School, Noida, under Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, to pursue my BA LLB. degree. Thanks to an academic collaboration between my college and the University of Birmingham, I was offered the chance to complete my LLM in International Law and Security in the UK while still being enrolled in my undergraduate law degree.
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What appealed to me most about the UK was the legacy and depth of legal education here. Studying law in the UK, especially international law, felt like being at the heart of the subject. The exposure to a highly diverse, globally aware classroom environment and the opportunity to learn from leading scholars in the field made the country an obvious choice.
For the LLM, I did not apply to other universities. My path to the University of Birmingham was secured through the institutional agreement, and I viewed it as a rare opportunity. However, for my future academic ambitions, especially my PhD, I plan to apply widely. I am currently exploring programmes in the UK, Europe, China, and Australia. The idea is to identify a research ecosystem that aligns with my interest in international law, diplomacy, and public policy.
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I managed everything myself without any external counsellor. From understanding the admission requirements to arranging documents, securing my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and navigating the visa process, it was all self-managed.
What made it easier was the support and communication from the University of Birmingham. Their emails were detailed, timely, and extremely student-friendly. They had dedicated support staff to guide you at every stage. So, while the process might look overwhelming from the outside, it was actually smooth and empowering. Doing it all myself made me feel more prepared for the journey ahead.
Since I was applying through an academic partnership between the two universities, the first step was securing formal nomination and academic clearance from my home institution. Once that was complete, the University of Birmingham provided direct instructions regarding the application portal and supporting documents.
One of the key things I found helpful was keeping all documents prepared well in advance, so that there were no last-minute delays. The university clearly listed the requirements, and they were consistent with the expectations of most postgraduate courses in the UK.
– Academic transcripts and marksheets from my undergraduate degree
– A personal statement explaining my interest in the LLM programme and how it aligned with my future goals
– A detailed CV with academic, extracurricular, and research experience
– Letters of Recommendation from faculty who had guided me closely
– Passport identification page
– Evidence of English language proficiency (although I was exempt due to my academic background)
After receiving my offer letter and completing the acceptance process, I moved on to apply for the Student Visa (Tier 4). The UK visa process is relatively straightforward, especially when you refer to the official guidance available on the government website.
– A valid passport
– CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) issued by the university
– Proof of financial capacity to support tuition and living expenses
– Tuberculosis (TB) test results (mandatory for students from India)
– ATAS certificate (not required in my case, but important for certain courses)
– Accommodation details
– A passport-sized photograph meeting the UKVI specifications
Throughout the process, I found that regular communication with the university’s international admissions team made things much easier. They were extremely responsive, and every step was well-guided through email updates. My advice to any future applicant would be to read the instructions carefully, start early, and keep backups of all documents in both digital and physical form.
I applied for scholarships, and I consider it one of the most important and rewarding parts of my application journey. I was fortunate to receive two scholarships — the Harding International Legal Scholarship, awarded by the University of Birmingham, and the GREAT Scholarship, which holds special significance for me. GREAT Scholarship is jointly funded by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council.
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The scholarship offers eligible international students £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate programme. For me, being selected for this scholarship was both an academic milestone and a source of personal pride.
The application process for both scholarships was hosted through the University of Birmingham’s internal scholarship portal. After securing my admission offer, I was invited to complete the scholarship application, which required:
– A detailed scholarship application form
– A personal statement focused on my academic achievements, leadership skills, and career aspirations
– My Statement of Purpose as submitted during admission
– An updated CV
– Letters of Recommendation
– Supporting academic and co-curricular documents
– The process required deep reflection, particularly when writing the personal statement. It was not just about listing achievements, but about communicating a narrative — why I study law, what drives my interest in diplomacy and policy, and how I plan to contribute after the degree.
Receiving these scholarships has been transformative. They eased the financial burden, certainly, but they also connected me to a broader community of international scholars and created opportunities for intellectual exchange beyond the university.
The day I landed in Birmingham is etched in my memory for how symbolic it felt. As I walked through the airport, still jetlagged but buzzing with excitement, I noticed massive posters about the GREAT Scholarship. That moment reminded me of what I had achieved, and I walked toward immigration with a quiet sense of pride.
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I had arrived a day before my official check-in, which helped me settle in gradually. I was already somewhat familiar with international travel due to earlier academic programmes in Russia, so I wasn’t overwhelmed. To clarify, the academic programme I mentioned is the “New Ties for a New World” Competition and Workshop held at Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, where I secured 2nd Place and the Audience Award in July 2024. I also represented India multiple times at the International Financial Security Olympiad held in Sochi, Russia where I was a two-time finalist.
These experiences provided me with valuable international exposure before my time in the UK. But living abroad long-term is a very different experience. You start noticing the absence of daily cultural rhythms; your mother tongue, your local food, the chaos you secretly love back home. Still, I found myself adapting quickly. What helped was my clarity of purpose. I knew what I came here to do. The infrastructure, the ease of access to resources, and the diversity on campus were exhilarating. Within a week, I felt like I belonged.
The initial days in Birmingham were a blur of excitement and discovery. Everything – from learning how to navigate the city’s buses to figuring out the right SIM card plan – felt like a small victory. The University of Birmingham campus itself is breathtaking. The Old Joe Clock Tower, the sprawling lawns, and the blend of modern and classical architecture give the feeling of studying in a place where history and progress coexist.
Freshers’ Week was a whirlwind of introductions, laughter, and adjustment. The student community was diverse; I met classmates from Nigeria, the United States, China, and Greece – all bringing their own worldviews to the classroom. That diversity shaped not just discussions, but the way I began to look at law itself. It was no longer just a subject – it was a living dialogue between cultures, systems, and ideologies.
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Studying International Law and Security at Birmingham has been a deeply enriching experience. The course content is rigorous but rewarding, blending legal theory with pressing global issues like human rights, cyber warfare, and conflict resolution. Classes are a mix of lectures and seminars, and professors here push you to think independently rather than seek the “right” answer.
What I appreciate most is the balance between structure and freedom. You’re given reading lists that could fill small libraries – but you also have the freedom to shape your arguments, challenge established interpretations, and even lead discussions. That intellectual autonomy is what sets British education apart.
The university’s legal research facilities are world-class. The Main Library and the Law Library became my second home, with late-night study sessions often accompanied by coffee from the on-campus Costa café. It’s a setting where ideas flow as easily as caffeine, and where your peers constantly inspire you to raise your own bar.
Life in Birmingham is not all about reading case laws and writing essays. There’s a whole world waiting outside the lecture halls. I spend my weekends exploring the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, strolling along the canals, and occasionally catching a play at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Food has been both an adventure and a comfort. From discovering authentic British fish and chips to finding the perfect butter chicken at a local Indian restaurant, food has often been my bridge between cultures. There are days when homesickness hits – usually when I crave my mother’s rajma chawal – but video calls and Indian grocery stores help bridge that gap. Socially, the campus buzzes with events.
As a GREAT Scholar, I have attended multiple networking events organised by the British Council, where I have met scholars from across the world. Each conversation feels like a window into another culture, another dream.
The UK’s unpredictable weather tested my patience at first – it can go from sunshine to heavy rain in 10 minutes. Adapting to the academic style was another hurdle. The emphasis on critical analysis, referencing, and self-driven research can feel overwhelming initially. But over time, it teaches you discipline, independence, and academic honesty.
Managing finances was also a new experience. From budgeting weekly groceries to balancing part-time work and study, every decision counts. The key, I learned, is planning and prioritisation. The University’s International Student Support Office offers wonderful resources – from mental health support to workshops on part-time jobs and taxation – which really helps you stay grounded.
Studying in Birmingham has transformed not just my career path but also my sense of identity. I have become more globally aware, yet more rooted in where I come from. Being an Indian law student abroad means you constantly compare, reflect, and bridge the best of both systems.
Every lecture on international human rights reminds me of the importance of context – how the same principles can mean different things in different societies. And every time I speak about India in class, whether about its constitutional structure or its diplomacy, I feel a quiet sense of pride.
The exposure here has also made me realise how much global policy and law depend on empathy and understanding, not just intellect. Whether it’s discussing post-conflict reconstruction or the ethics of cybersecurity, the essence remains the same: law is about people.
One of my favourite memories so far has been witnessing the first snowfall of the year on campus. The red-brick buildings dusted with white snow looked straight out of a storybook. It was peaceful – almost symbolic of a pause in the middle of this whirlwind year.
Those quiet moments – walking to the library under a soft drizzle, or reading in the warmth of my dorm room as it rains outside – have become opportunities for reflection. Living alone in a new country makes you self-reliant in ways you don’t anticipate. You learn to cook, to budget, to care for your mental space, and, above all, to trust yourself.
Once I complete my LLM, I plan to pursue a PhD in Law focusing on international security, diplomacy, and public policy. I am currently exploring programs in the UK, Europe, and Australia that align with these interests. My long-term goal is to contribute to international legal frameworks – whether through academia, global organisations, or diplomacy.
Studying abroad has changed the way I see the world. It has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the beauty of human connection across borders. But most importantly, it has reaffirmed my belief that education is not just about degrees – it’s about transformation.
I often think of something a professor once said: “The law is only as strong as the people who believe in justice.” That line has stayed with me, guiding not just my studies but my sense of purpose.
(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)
