Andrew exchanges the operating theatre for the courts of law

At the age of 13 Andrew Scott thought about a future career as a barrister, but didn’t think he was clever enough. Now, nearly 20 years later, Andrew is on course for a Barrister’s career, thanks to his First Class LLB (Hons) degree from the University of Teesside. Andrew will shortly leave his 14-year nursing career, having clinched a £13,000 legal scholarship from Gray’s Inn in London, which will enable him to train as a prospective barrister. He starts his Bar Vocational Course at the start of October.

Andrew, 32, from Loftus, achieved his Law degree after five years of part-time study. His First Class degree is a sharp contrast to his ‘A’ level results at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, where aged 18; he only passed General Studies and failed three others.

Andrew said: “I saw people around me who were going to Oxford and Cambridge but I was just interested in having a good time. The best thing about being at Sixth Form was meeting my wife, Dawn.”

Following Sixth Form Andrew trained as a nurse at Middlesbrough General Hospital, and went on to work in Middlesbrough, a Saltburn nursing home, in London, and finally the University Hospital of North Tees as an anaesthetics nurse. His future legal career began in 1996 when he represented himself in a tribunal against a trade union.

Andrew said: “I couldn’t afford to pay for a solicitor or barrister and had to represent myself. So I went along to Teesside University’s library and read through the appropriate legal texts to help me with the case. While I was there I sat alongside Law students and listened with interest as they spoke about their course.”

The tribunal’s outcome was successful for Andrew, and the opposing Barrister approached him afterwards, asking if he had ever considered a legal career. When a training officer at work later asked staff to consider degree level study, Andrew contacted the University’s Law Lecturers and enrolled on a part-time evening degree.

Andrew said: “I can still remember the first Lecture, I was absolutely mesmerised, the Lecturers were so interesting and enthusiastic. There was also a good mix of students, including civil servants, housewives, police officers, and some other nurses. I’ve made some friends for life.

“My favourite modules included Public Law, where we looked at the powers of the police and employment law, which is very topical, for example looking at an employee’s right to strike. While I’ve been studying, several Hospital colleagues have asked me for advice on different legal issues and I’ve been able to help them. I’m grateful to them for their support as they swapped shifts to enable me to study. ”

After achieving consistently high marks, Andrew consulted his tutors about applying for a Barrister’s scholarship. With their encouragement, he successfully applied, gaining an interview place alongside Oxford and Cambridge graduates.

Andrew said: “It’s an honour and a humbling experience to gain a First and the scholarship. I could not have achieved this without the support of my wife, her parents and my parents. Teesside University has changed my life for the better. Their slogan is open your mind and this has happened for me, not only with Law. I’ve read more novels in the past five years than in the whole of my time at school, my favourite author is now John Steinbeck and I’ve even started to read Shakespeare.”

Andrew is not the first in his family to graduate from Teesside, his father Peter previously gained both a degree in History and Politics and a Diploma in Personnel Management Studies, while his Aunt Jean Christie achieved a BA (Hons) degree in History two years ago.

For more information on the LLB (Hons) degree call 01642 384019, or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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