The miminum LLM/BCL entry requirements for OxBridge are 1st & 2:1 for UCL and LSE. I've been told that a 1st is equivalent to 70%. Does anyone know what the realistic requirements for these 4 universities are? (72%? 75%?) i.e. how far the cut-off points are from the stated minimum requirements.

Thank you.

I believe that class ranking is the main determinant. For Oxbridge, you should be in the top 10 (preferrably the top 5 I believe). Raw grades are less helpful than rankings because some schools deflate while others inflate their grades, making any meaningful comparrision futile. But ranking you against your peers in your llb provides a clear snap shot of your calibre...

I would respectfully disagree. Where one is placed within class rankings is subject to two key variables: size and quality of class. I could attend the smallest, worst University if I wanted to and ease my way to the higher end of the class or have chosen to study at the best University in the country and received a better degree. No schools in England can deflate or inflate their grades as they are all marked externally to verify the marks, I assume you study elsewhere?

I'm going to have to side more with Equity on this one (at least as it applies to non-U.K. applicants). With the exception perhaps of the few schools at the extreme ends of the reputational spectrum, my personal observation has been that successful Oxbridge applicants do tend to come from at or near the top of their classes. Indeed, I know Oxford for one is quite forthcoming about its preference in this respect. While there are certainly drawbacks to this methodology (as Brett is quick to point out), no application screening process is without its blind spots.

btw, returning to the original question, and for what it's worth (especially given the grading idiosyncrasies of each jurisdiction), I'm a Canadian with an A- (around 80%) average from a good law school and somehow got into Oxford, LSE and UCL. My advice would be to just apply and see what happens.

Best of luck!

I agree there are unfair and subjective draw - backs to the class ranking formula. My point, however, is not that rankings ought to be the key admission criteria, simply that,for better or worse, they are. I'd wager that if you graduate in the toip 2% of a crappy 4th tier law school you will have a better , or at least equal, shot at entry to oxbriodge than if you graduate bottom-middle of the pack at a top tier school.

Thank you all.

A question about the ranking: do your universities give you the statistics of the exam results? e.g. top, average, median etc.?

If not, how do you go about ascertaining your ranking? Because for some obscure reason of its own my university treats ranking as "classified information". I can only guess that I am in the top 10% but I don't know whether I am in the top 5% or not.

Hi,

Im about to commence my final year in my uni in the UK. I wanna apply for the BCL/LLM at Oxbridge for the 2009-2010 academic year and was wondering whether I would be rejected on the basis that I do not hold a 70% or above average? At the moment, Im holding a 69.83 % average (its just a few decimals!!)
thanks,

If not, how do you go about ascertaining your ranking? Because for some obscure reason of its own my university treats ranking as "classified information". I can only guess that I am in the top 10% but I don't know whether I am in the top 5% or not.

Ultimately I would have to say that the final point is that a first is not a definite route into Oxbridge. I don't know for sure but would think that at least 95% of the applicants for their programs have a first and, considering they only accept 30% of UK applicants, that leaves a lot of people with great grades but no place. What can you take from this? If you want to apply, it's worth a shot, but give yourself a back up plan!