Credit for Sarah as she prepares for Caribbean trip

9 December 2016

New graduate Sarah Margarson has secured a lucrative internship

A graduate from Cumbria is preparing to pack a case and head for sunnier climes in the new year, after securing a lucrative internship at a Caribbean-based solicitors which usually only takes on Harvard graduates.

Sarah Margarson, of Workington, has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) with a Masters in Financial Investigation.

The 24-year-old will begin her placement at Martin Kenney and Co solicitors in the British Virgin Islands in January.

For the past four years, Sarah, a former Workington Sixth Form student, has lived in Preston while studying at UCLan. Initially for a degree in Policing and Criminal Investigation, the fraud module of the course inspired her to pursue the master's.

Her dissertation has been deemed so impressive, her tutor David Short is passing it to the Home Office Proceeds of Crime Unit for consideration.

Having moved to Cumbria from Australia at the age of 10, Sarah’s love of travel was one of the reasons she embarked upon studies at UCLan.

She said: “I got the opportunity to study abroad as part of the course, which helps you to gain a global perspective and that’s important for me as I’ve always wanted to work overseas. During my master's I spent three months at the Police Academy in Prague which was so insightful.

“UCLan is one of only two universities to provide this particular master's, so it’s a rare qualification and one I hope will give me the edge when applying for jobs in the future. I’ve particularly enjoyed the global perspectives aspect, learning how UK laws compare on an international platform.

 “I was also able to learn basic German, Polish and Chinese, and undertook a leadership course. The life experience I gained from my time at UCLan has been invaluable.”

"UCLan is one of only two universities to provide this particular Masters, so it’s a rare qualification and one I hope will give me the edge when applying for jobs in the future."

Sarah was one of 1,500 students who graduated in front of family and friends at Preston’s Guild Hall during the winter ceremonies.