How to get into Oxbridge Law

Excerpt

Applying to UK universities, particularly for competitive Law programs at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, can be a lengthy and intricate undertaking. Our team here at Icon Education can offer you with expert assistance to navigate each stage of this demanding application journey.

What does Oxbridge Law look for?

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, collectively known as Oxbridge, provide highly prestigious undergraduate Law programmes: the BA in Jurisprudence at Oxford and the BA in Law at Cambridge. These programs are known for their demanding academic curriculum, tutorial-based instruction, and significant focus on legal theory. Admission is exceptionally competitive, with each university accepting only a limited number of students annually. This selectivity fosters a close academic community and allows for substantial individual guidance from faculty members.

Undergraduate Admissions

Typical academic backgrounds of successful applicants from recent admissions cycles are as follows:

GCE A-Levels	Minimally A*AA, with strong IGCSEs, with a preference for students who take Language Based subjects.
Singapore GCE A-Levels	Minimally 3 H2 As, as well as an A in General Paper/ Knowledge and Inquiry.
International Baccalaureate	Minimally 41-42 points total, with at least 776 for Higher Level subjects.

Those whose first language is not English must submit supplementary English proficiency test results:

IELTS	Overall score of minimally 7.5, with no individual band score falling below 7.0.
TOEFL iBT	Overall score of minimally 110, with scores that do not fall below 22 for the Reading component, 24 for the Listening and Writing component, and 25 in the Speaking component.
Cambridge C2 Proficiency	Overall score of minimally 191, with scores that do not fall below 185 in each subtest.

Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

As part of their holistic application processes, all applicants to undergraduate Law programmes for both universities are required to sit for the LNAT. This is a computer-based admissions test specifically designed to assess skills that are essential for success in the field of legal studies. It focuses on critical thinking, logical reasoning, comprehension of complex texts and the ability to construct and evaluate arguments effectively.

Do note that while neither university assesses familiarity with prior legal knowledge, both universities place different emphasis on its components. Oxford University uses the multiple-choice section of the LNAT as a significant comparative factor in its evaluation process. In contrast, the University of Cambridge adopts a more comprehensive approach, taking into account an applicant's academic background, performance in interviews, and written work samples to assess their overall fit with the programme.

Postgraduate Admissions

Postgraduate applicants have a variety of programmes to choose from. Oxbridge offers specific taught Master's degrees in law. The University of Oxford provides the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) for students with a common law background and the Magister Juris (MJur) for civil law graduates. The University of Cambridge's primary Master's level law program is the LLM.

Admission to these highly competitive law programmes targets candidates with exceptional academic backgrounds. Typically, successful applicants hold a first-class law degree from a UK institution or an equivalent international qualification. However, in certain circumstances, candidates with a strong second-upper class degree with other substantial academic or professional accomplishments. Applicants to Oxbridge postgraduate programs must meet the same English language requirements as undergraduate applicants.

Beyond strong academics, applicants must also include a CV/ resume, two academic references and a personal statement outlining their legal interests, academic goals and motivation to pursue advanced legal research and study.

Interviews

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge usually require undergraduate and postgraduate Law applicants to participate in an academic interview during the admissions process. These interviews aim to evaluate candidates' intellectual abilities, critical thinking skills, and ability to work through new concepts, rather than their existing legal knowledge.

Oxbridge university interviews, conducted by law academics, aim to assess a candidate's potential for their rigorous academic programs. At Oxford, interviews often involve discussions of hypothetical legal or ethical dilemmas, where applicants are expected to verbalise their reasoning, assess different viewpoints, and adapt their responses. This format closely resembles their tutorial teaching method. At Cambridge, interviews frequently include analysing a provided short text, followed by broader questions designed to test logical thinking and argumentation skills. In both Oxford and Cambridge interviews, the process mirrors the academic challenges students will face.

Tips to enhance your application

Admission to Oxford and Cambridge Law is highly competitive, especially for international students, requiring more than just exceptional grades. Successful applicants demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a genuine passion for law through extensive extracurricular engagement. Consider these strategies for your application:

Oxbridge admissions tutors are looking for applicants who show a genuine and sustained interest in the subject beyond what is taught in school. Read widely from legal texts, news articles, and introductory books on law. Further enhance your application by also participating in essay competitions, attending open law lectures or public debates. These will help you with reflecting critically on legal and ethical issues, and shape your personal statement and interview answers accordingly.
Focus on academically rigorous, essay-based subjects such as English Literature, History, Politics, Philosophy, or Sociology, as these cultivate the analytical and writing skills essential for studying law. Avoid relying heavily on vocational subjects, as your overall subject combination should demonstrate depth, critical thinking, and intellectual challenge. A mix that includes a subject like Maths or a language can add balance, but strong essay subjects should form the core.
Finally, it is important to ensure that your interest in law is well-informed. Seek opportunities to observe court proceedings, converse with legal professionals, or enroll in online legal short courses. Even short engagements can offer significant value if you thoughtfully consider your takeaways. Incorporate these reflections to demonstrate your maturity, self-awareness, and well-defined reasons for pursuing law as both an academic discipline and a profession.

We hope these suggestions assist you in your law school application. For more personalised guidance and support throughout this process, please feel free to reach out to our team at Icon Education. We wish you the best of luck!