The Open University (OU) is celebrating the remarkable achievement of Krishangi Meshram, who has become the institution’s youngest-ever Law graduate.
At just 18 years old, Krishangi completed her studies in Law with a First Class Honours Degree, a remarkable feat considering she began her academic journey with the OU at the age of 15.
Krishangi, who hails from Mayapur in India, was presented with her degree at a ceremony held at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester this month. Now 20, she reflected on her achievement with pride: “I’m so happy to be here and to celebrate. You give all your focus and attention to accomplishing something for three years, back-to-back, and then to be able to celebrate that is amazing!”
She said she chose to study law, to gain a degree that would give her “a breadth of transferrable knowledge” with skills such as reading and analysis of complex documents and writing essays. It was doing her Year 3 practical modules that really changed her outlook about what to do in the future, she says, and when she realised that becoming a lawyer was truly going to be “her thing”.
Learning at a distance with the OU, she says she also got a whole lot more.
“I didn’t realise that I’d be gaining the valuable skills that the OU taught me, from self-discipline to organisation.”
Krishangi attended an international school, close to her home and family. The bright student completed her school exams by the age of 15 and wanted to pursue study at higher education but wasn’t keen to leave her parents and younger sister.
“My family and I are also lucky enough to travel a lot, so I needed a study option that I could take with me on our adventures around the world.
“This is when I found out about the OU – it ticked all the boxes. I could utilise the open entry policy so I could start a degree without A Levels, I’d be studying at a UK university, where I could remain living at home and carry on travelling with my family.”
The teenager studied at full-time pace, shaping her studies around family life, meaning she completed her studies in July 2022 at just 18 years and six months.
Krishangi’s academic journey also saw her make new friends amongst the OU’s international online community, including a “study buddy” from Russia.
Professor Hugh McFaul, Head of the OU Law School, said: “Huge congratulations to Krishangi on her tremendous achievement! I’m very proud that the OU Law School was able to support her in achieving this success without her having to leave family and friends in West Bengal.
“Her story shows the tremendous reach of the transformative open access education we offer, and I wish her every success in what I’ve no doubt will be a stellar legal career.”
Since graduating, Krishangi has already made her mark in the legal world. She secured her first job in Singapore and is now focused on completing her professional qualifications. Having recently finished her Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a Master’s in Business, Law and Management from the University of Law, she is preparing to specialise in her legal career.
Krishangi’s journey from a 15-year-old starting her degree with the OU to a 20-year-old on the path to becoming a qualified lawyer demonstrates the power of flexible, accessible education in helping students achieve their full potential—no matter where they are in the world.
