Alumni profile - Anastasia Lourou
(Law LLB, Graduate Class of 2023)
Studying [at Queen Mary] required immense dedication and determination, and the support I received—from my professors, the library staff, and the wider Queen Mary community—was instrumental to my success
Introduction
My name is Anastasia Lourou, and I am a graduate from Queen Mary University of London. I completed my Law LLB degree in June 2023 before pursuing the Commercial and Corporate Law LLM programme, which I completed with Distinction in September 2024. During my LLM, I was honoured to receive the Commercial and Corporate Law Programme Prize for achieving the highest grades in the programme, while also serving as the Course Representative.
What was your background before studying your LLB?
Before pursuing my LLB, I was educated in Cyprus, where I attended the Gymnasium of Petraki Kyprianou and the Pancyprian High School of Larnaca. I graduated as valedictorian from both institutions and received awards for my academic achievements.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary?
I chose to study at Queen Mary because it is located in London—a global hub of opportunities—and is renowned as a leader in law. As a Russell Group university with a stellar global reputation, Queen Mary stood out for its excellence. What truly solidified my decision was the opportunity to learn from world-class professors whose contributions have shaped the field of law. These are not just distinguished academics but experts who have influenced the development of legal principles and authored key books taught across universities. The combination of Queen Mary’s reputation and its exceptional faculty made it my top choice.
If you’re fortunate enough to study at Queen Mary, know that you’ve been given an incredible opportunity—don’t take it for granted. Commit fully, work hard, ask questions, and be curious.
What were the highlights of studying your programme?
The highlights of studying my LLB and Commercial and Corporate Law LLM at Queen Mary were, first and foremost, the incredible friendships I formed. Queen Mary’s diverse and inclusive environment brings together students from all over the world, creating a vibrant campus where different religions, cultures, languages, and mindsets converge. It’s a melting pot of ambition and determination, and I was fortunate to meet people who inspired me and remain close friends to this day.
Another significant highlight of my time at Queen Mary was receiving the Commercial and Corporate Law Programme Prize for achieving the highest grades in the programme and graduating with Distinction while serving as the Course Representative. This achievement was particularly meaningful because it reflected the rigorous standards of excellence upheld by Queen Mary and its world-class professors. Studying here required immense dedication and determination, and the support I received—from my professors, the library staff, and the wider Queen Mary community—was instrumental to my success. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and resources provided by Queen Mary, which enabled me to thrive and achieve this milestone
What are your plans for the future?
I have many aspirations for the future, each unique, but one thing is certain—I want to fully realise my potential and continue challenging myself. I distinctly remember a professor at Queen Mary telling me, ‘When you’re done with Queen Mary, continue growing and don’t stay in your comfort zone.’ This advice truly resonated with me. Queen Mary felt like home during my four years there, but the university and its professors were so committed to my success that they showed me there are no limits to what I can achieve.
Inspired by this, my future plans revolve around stepping out of my comfort zone, exploring opportunities on a global scale, and constantly pushing myself to grow both personally and professionally. Whether that involves working internationally, advancing in my career, or pursuing new challenges, my goal is to embrace every opportunity and strive for excellence in everything I do.
What advice would you offer for future students?
If you’re fortunate enough to study at Queen Mary, know that you’ve been given an incredible opportunity—don’t take it for granted. Commit fully, work hard, ask questions, and be curious. Be that person who participates actively in seminars, asks questions in lectures, and engages with professors (even if some might find it ‘annoying’!).
Take full advantage of all the resources Queen Mary has to offer—the mentoring programs, the lectures, seminars, tutorials, library services, and office hours. These resources are there to help you succeed, so use them. Trust me, whether you’re here for three, four, or even five years, that time will fly by. When it’s over, you’ll either look back with pride and gratitude for everything you gained or regret not making the most of it. I’m proud to say I fall in the first group, and I hope you will too.