Hello all, I was hoping some members here could shed some light on the credentials and qualifications that Oxford looks for when admitting students to read for the BCL.

Also, I imagine applying early is best, but to which colleges ought one to apply to ensure the best chances of admission?

Thanks.

Ave atque vale.

the admission of the bcl programme is the department's job... if the law department makes u an offer, ur place in a college is garanteed:)

good luck..

Yeah good luck.

Catullus, in response to your questions:

1) In terms of qualifications, Oxford, unlike, say, some US schools, is interested in your academic credentials. This means a 1st class/ highest honours/cum laude/whatever else it may be called - degree. Exceptionally they may admit people who formally do not hold a cum laude degree, but were among the top 10% of the graduating class - this applies to graduates of Oxford and Camridge and some universities that are notorious for awarding a ridiculously small number of honours degrees, e.g. NUS.

2) Applying early will not give you an advantage - the admissions process is not rolling, and applications are only reviewed after the deadline.

3) As it has been pointed out above, the choice of college does not impact on your chances of admission, as your application is forwarded to your college of first choice only after the Law Faculty has made a decision that you are admitted. In terms of strategy I would recommend putting down a college that you both like and it is realistic for you to get in. Applying to Balliol or Magdalen, unless you are a Rhodes scholar, can be a gamble, whereas some colleges that are less known outside of Oxford (e.g. Lincoln or New) are also excellent, and you have much greater chances of getting what you want rather than being randomly assigned to a college. Put down a college that is less known, but attractive to you for some reason as your second choice (e.g. Sommerville if you a big Thatcher fan, or a college where there is a tutor in your field of interests, etc.). Otherwise if you put down Magdalen as 1st choice and St John's as second, you risk being directed to a totally random college.