I am thinking about applying to the Oxford MJur and the Cambridge LLM this fall. On Oxford's webpage I found out that the application materials must consist, inter alia, of a statement of purpose and one 2,000-word piece of written work (which sounds rather challenging and important). What kind of topic and what (academic) level is the 2,000-word essay expected to have? A paper possibly coming into consideration for getting printed, for instance, in the Common Market Law Reviev or would that be exaggerated?

On Cambridge's webpage I couldn't find similar requirements. Are they hidden somewhere in the online application form or does Oxford simply have a stricter application process?

What part of the application materials typically demands the greatest effort?

Do you think it is generally possible to hand in academic references after the application deadline?

Please help. Thanks.

1. Every section is equally important. Assuming that your grades reach the minimum threshold required.

2. The topic of your written work should reflect your critical thinking and legal reasoning skills. Do you have any written work submitted as part of your coursework assignments? If you received a positive feedback from your marker it'd be ideal to use that as a starting point.

3. There is no written work requirement for the Cambridge application.

4. Stricter application process or not I don't know. Maybe viewed as a little bit more difficult to get in (at least for the BCL), but the opposite may be true for applicants coming from civil law jurisdictions. The Oxford application utilises the embark system, which is an international standard, whereas the Cambridge one is "homemade", which could be frustrating at times, especially in that its word count for the open-ended questions just doesn't work.

5. It is best to have everything sent in before the deadline.

6. Start preparing for your application today.

(And good luck!)

Dear BWW

Many thanks for your insightful reply - that already helps a lot!

As regards grades: I have a law degree from a good continental university I finished within the top 9% of my class, whereby I was within the top 7% as regards the last third of the course. In addition, I recently graduated in business administration (majoring in 'business and law') with distinction, which, according to an informal notification, puts me among the top 2% of all graduates ever. I hope this will foster my chances of admission.

As regards the topic of the 2,000-word piece of written work: Is it advisable to confine oneself to a law topic or is it possible to hand in an essay about, for instance, international relations, economics etc?

Dear BWW

Many thanks for your insightful reply - that already helps a lot!

As regards grades: I have a law degree from a good continental university I finished within the top 9% of my class, whereby I was within the top 7% as regards the last third of the course. In addition, I recently graduated in business administration (majoring in 'business and law') with distinction, which, according to an informal notification, puts me among the top 2% of all graduates ever. I hope this will foster my chances of admission.

As regards the topic of the 2,000-word piece of written work: Is it advisable to confine oneself to a law topic or is it possible to hand in an essay about, for instance, international relations, economics etc?