Meet Tasya Marmita Irawan

After several years working as a corporate lawyer and in-house counsel at major fintech companies in Indonesia, Tasya Marmita came to UCL Laws to pursue a general LLM. She reflects on our intellectually rich environment, the inspiring experience of learning from world-leading academics whose work shapes the field, and how adapting to life in London has strengthened her resilience and independence. Her advice to new students: stay organised, make the most of every opportunity, and remember: time flies faster than you think!

Give us a brief overview of your academic and personal journey before joining UCL Laws.

Before joining UCL, I worked as a qualified lawyer in Indonesia, initially as a corporate lawyer for 2 years and then as an in-house lawyer at major fintech players for the last 2.5 years. Before that, I pursued my LLB at Universitas Gadjah Mada with an exchange semester at the University of Tokyo. After several years in practice, I decided to deepen my expertise by studying at UCL Laws.

What has surprised you most about UCL Laws or your time in London?

I was surprised by how diverse and intellectually stimulating the environment is, both at UCL and in London itself. The open, discussion-based classes and the global perspectives of my peers really stood out. Not to mention, the lecturers are literally the best in their fields and highly esteemed, so much so that when you write a research paper, the authors you reference are often your own lecturers or other UCL faculty members. I will always be endlessly grateful for this!

Can you share some of the challenges you faced during your studies and how you overcame them?

Balancing academic pressure with adapting to a new city and a new education system was initially challenging. I overcame this by building a routine, making the most of the facilities provided by the university, and reminding myself of my long-term goals.

A favourite moment from the course, class discussions, mooting, a project, or an internship?

 One of my favourite moments was attending lectures and realising how passionate the lecturers are about their subjects. They’re truly the best in their fields, and during lectures they manage to pass on that passion to us students. It’s never monotonous and participating in class makes you want to learn more and understand more.

How have you grown during your time here – as a student, aspiring legal professional, or personally?

Academically, I’ve become more analytical and confident in approaching complex legal problems. Coming from a different jurisdiction, I now understand more about UK Laws and their foundations, which will help me to navigate them at a professional level. Professionally, I’ve expanded my network and gained a more global mindset. Personally, living in London has made me more independent and adaptable.

What are your summer plans, and what’s next after graduation?

This summer, I’m exploring opportunities for my next career move, ideally in London or in a cross-border context. After graduation, I plan to leverage my UCL experience to transition into a more global-facing legal role, taking on bigger challenges than in my previous career.

What advice would you give to new students joining UCL Laws this year?

Stay open-minded and make the most of every opportunity — academic or social. Do your readings, engage in class, attend events, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.

London is an amazing city with something new to explore every day, but remember to pace yourself and stay on top of your studies early on. Time flies faster than you think, and before you know it, it’s exam season! Don’t make things harder for yourself by procrastinating. Be organised early, and you’ll thank yourself later.

UCL has so much to offer — and once again, time truly flies!

Follow Tasya Marmita Irawan

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tasyairawan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasyairwn/