Ali Wylie explored various industries before finding his true calling as a law lecturer at the University’s London Bloomsbury campus. Here he shares his passion for supporting student development and the University’s dedication to ensuring student success.
Written by April Baniqued. Published 06 June 2025.
Talk us through your career journey and how you became part of The University of Law.
My journey began with a joint honours LLB in Law and Accounting & Finance, followed by an LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law. After completing my studies, I started a career as a Chartered Accountant, but over time I realised my interests were pulling me in a different direction. It was then that I stepped into my first teaching position as a lecturer in Law and Business at a private university. This role rekindled my interest in legal practice and so, after three years of teaching, I returned to education to complete my LPC. I secured a training contract with a regional firm and took on various seats before specialising in litigation, later becoming accredited as a Mediator.
My career evolved once more as I found myself drawn back to teaching and supporting students. I became a Careers Advisor which granted me a career qualification, then completed a PGCE in Maths and achieved Qualified Teacher Status. These experiences only deepened my desire for helping students grow. I continued to pursue this path as a Careers Consultant and later as Deputy Head. It was when I started working at a different institution whilst earning my diploma that I longed to teach law again. This has led me here: a lecturer teaching a subject I love at a great university — The University of Law. I believe there is no better place to teach.
Who has influenced you most throughout your career?
There have been many people along my journey who have shaped who I am today. From the teachers I had in school to the lecturers and tutors at university, as well as the colleagues I worked with in my professional career. I’ve drawn inspiration from various styles, phrases and approaches. I’ve always been competitive, determined and resilient, qualities which have helped me persevere and see things through to the end.
What has been your proudest achievement, either personally or professionally?
I am proud of several achievements in both my career and personal life. Although I face many hurdles, my most significant career achievement is perhaps qualifying as a solicitor. From an educational perspective, completing my joint honours LLB degree with a 2:1 is a highlight. I’m also proud of earning a distinction in my postgraduate diploma in Careers, where I achieved a high mark of 80% in group work. In my personal life, I’ve won numerous fencing, pool and chess competitions. My proudest moment came when I won the Warwick National Fencing Competition in my first tournament, out of 70 competitors.
What do you think makes the University unique?
The University of Law is a diverse and inclusive space, with staff and students from all over the world. There is a strong emphasis on ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel supported and valued.
What truly sets the University apart as a legal education provider is that most of our lecturers come from within the industry. By integrating this practical experience into learning, students can connect the dots, better understand why their learning matters and see how their studies will be applied in the real world.
There are a significant number of resources to help students succeed, including an effective teaching model, structured lectures, engaging workshops, revision software tools and comprehensive student guides. Personal tutors and academic coach support, along with mock exams and library services, further enhance the student learning experience. There is particularly heavy investment in exam practice. The feedback from these is thorough, enabling students to recognise any gaps in their knowledge and improve their performance in final exams. This also helps develop crucial employability skills, including communication, teamwork and presentation.
What can students look forward to when they step into your classroom?
When students step into my classroom, they can look forward to a relaxed yet serious environment. They can enjoy the balance between breaking down complicated information, discussions and debates, as well as some good banter here and there. I encourage each and every one of my students to actively participate throughout. I ask lots of questions to ensure all can follow and progress. Students describe my teaching as very engaging and enjoyable, and I believe all my peers conduct such teaching.
What’s one aspect of teaching that truly excites you?
I take pleasure in seeing students excel in their learning and career journey. It is truly exciting when teaching crystalises into learning and students who struggled to get to grips with a difficult concept understand it and are excited about it. Some students balance a multitude of tasks; full-time education, full-time work, engaging in caring duties (despite their own health woes). I am inspired by their success despite adversity. I believe such students are role models. Their resilience and determination remind me of the power of perseverance and the impact of dedication, motivating me to continue supporting and encouraging others to reach their potential.
What is your advice for our students?
My advice for students is to be organised and prioritise your commitments by identifying what you can do, what you can delegate, and what you should focus on, assigning tasks based on their level of importance. Write down all your commitments and allocate a timeframe in which to complete them, setting out SMART objectives – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely.
As a career professional, I often advise students to find a time during the day when they are most mentally active to focus on their studies. Other times can be used to unwind and work on their career. Of course, this depends on whether the student is an early bird or a night owl.
Another key tip is to limit procrastination, as it is not your friend. While procrastination is common, it’s important to stay disciplined, avoid distractions and focus on the task at hand to maximise productivity.
The overall message is to map out your tasks and time with strong planning and organisational skills, while maintaining a good work ethic to work efficiently and effectively.
Interested in studying at the University? Find out more about the courses we offer.
