When are people planning on arriving.

My thoughts:

Cambridge - any time around late September to 1 October seems appropriate.

Oxford - are BCL/MJur students really expected to be in residence from mid-September? Teaching doesn't start until a week into October and I have been told that nobody really arrives until early October.

Thoughts?

It says on the BCL handbook that we are supposed to be 'reading' before the start of term. =P It's up to you, really. I'm planning to arrive by mid-September (if I finally decide on Oxford.)

I am planning to arrive in Oxford at the end of September. I think that the programme is not THAT tough that we will have to study in advance (at least I hope that is true!!!). BTW: Is there something like an introduction week and when does it start?

My college tutor at checked for me with the faculty and told me that the MJur students are expected to be in Oxford for Monday, 26 September 2005.

It says on the offer letter that the BCL course begins on 25 September so it's probably good to arrive on the 25th. In any event, that gives you some time to shop for essentials, settle in and meet some people. =)

Are there tutorials in the first term or are the tutorials mostly scheduled for the second term? Do we get an opportunity to attend some classes at the beginning and finalise our subject choices after attending the BCL classes?

I was planning on arriving about one week before the official start of the program anyway, so I could spend at least a few days in Oxford without having any pressure from courses. And of course, get to know some people from the program.

I plan to arrive on 23/24 September - cutting it a bit fine am sure! But have done my undergrad there and recall how quiet things were before the official term start date. I also have been told that the BCL students should be there by 25th September so I guess that should the overall plan.

I look forward to meeting you all.

So Blue, Joseph1, Gregory - have you all decided to go to Ox over Cam?

Hi Orion,

I have not decide, yet. I have an offer from Hughes Hall, Cam, which college is not said to be the best but has a relatively big LLM-group. In Ox I would be in Queen's College. So, college-wise Ox would be better but in terms of subjects, maybe Cam since I am interested in intl law and corporate law and in both subjects Cam seems to be stronger a bit this year.
What about you, have you decided? Do you have college offer from Cam or Ox?

Hi Orion,
I have not finalised my decision. I am leaning towards the BCL because of: 1) The tutorial system; 2) The opportunity to attend Jurisprudence lectures in Oxford (a subject I enjoy) and 3) the wider range of courses at Oxford. Although many comment that Cambridge is better for International Law, I think that the situation is changing. Oxford is making big strides in the field of IL.

Does anyone know whether they have made the decisions for the Cambridge Trusts (for law students)? I understand that many people from other departments have attended interviews. Given that the Law Faculty decides later than the other departments, does this mean that law students are less likely to receive funding?

I don't know about the Cambridge Trusts - I certainly haven't heard anything.
I agree with Blue's analysis about the relative merits. I am going to Cambridge in the end, in part because it is cheaper, in part because of the intl. law thing and the courses offered this year (although I agree that Oxford is also good - esp. law of the sea), in part for no good reason except that I needed to make a decision. But now I am worried that I will be there alone as everyone else seems to be going to Oxford!

Hi Orion,
don't worry, at least one person will be with you in some international law courses at Cam: me! I am going to study mainly European law, mixed with some international law courses (WTO law, maybe International Dispute Settlement).

Hi Orion,

I can understand. I don't think that there is a world of a difference between Cambridge and Oxford.

I'm sure that you will find many coursemates in Cambridge. If everyone has decided to enrol at Oxford, you can always have a one-to-one seminar on eg International Settlement of Disputes with Crawford (I know that he is fantastic!) -grin-

Since you would like to specialise in international law, are you planning to apply for international law/NGO-type jobs after your LLM?

there's actually a great difference between the cam llm and ox bcl. the cam llm is known to be sort of like a holiday and you will have ample time to socialise, etc. only choose the ox bcl if you are prepared to work (but of course you will get rewarded intellectually).

there's actually a great difference between the cam llm and ox bcl. the cam llm is known to be sort of like a holiday and you will have ample time to socialise, etc. only choose the ox bcl if you are prepared to work (but of course you will get rewarded intellectually).