Olivia Fowler

I have always had an interest in true crime. I used to love watching documentaries and trying to understand the ‘why’ behind people’s actions. This led me to study law, psychology and criminology at A level and I found the topics fascinating.

The more I learned, the more I wanted to understand how the criminal justice system works and how we can make a difference through it. This is what inspired me to take it further and study at university – I wanted to turn that interest into something real and meaningful.

The lecturers bring a valuable mix of experience and academia to the course. Some come from strong academic backgrounds while others have real lived experience in the job. That balance means we’re not just learning from books but also getting an insight into the real world.

Confidence, resilience, independence. These are the top three skills that I have developed during my degree.

The Policing Awards night has been the most memorable part of my degree so far. This is an annual awards night where all three undergraduate year groups come together to celebrate each other’s achievements.

Knowing that what I’m learning could one day help me to make a real difference in people’s lives. This is the best thing about the degree for me. I also really value how often we get to hear from guest speakers, whether that is people who are in the job (officers, CSI, detectives), or those that have been impacted by crime. It adds a whole new layer of depth and realism to what we’re studying.

The people are the best thing about Edge Hill University. From my first day at university, I have felt so welcomed by everyone (students and staff). Everyone is so kind, supportive and willing to help. Whether it’s getting advice from lecturers, or asking someone for directions, everyone is so approachable.

My career aspirations are to become a solicitor. I am unsure on the area of law I would like to practice in yet though. I am enrolled onto the LLM SQE/Legal Practice Masters at Edge Hill University next year and I am also looking at completing a PhD in the future.

I have also been fortunate to receive both an academic scholarship and a sports scholarship. This support has helped me financially but also given me access to the sports centre facilities which has made it easier to balance my personal passion of making an Olympic running team with my studies and other career aspirations.

My advice would be never be afraid to ask questions. If there is something you don’t understand, ask. The lecturers are supportive and want to see you succeed. It is so much better to ask than find yourself not sure what to do. Nobody expects you to know everything from the start.

I have been supported in many ways throughout my degree. I have regular meetings with my personal tutor, which are helpful to check on both my wellbeing and my academic progress. The lecturers are always happy to go through draft assignments and offer feedback before submission and genuinely want you to do your best.