I want to apply for BCL at Oxford next year. I would be glad if someone point out my chances of getting it. I have -
1. Ranked 30 out of 100 students
2. Internships in big law firms
3. Two international publications (including Asia Pacific Journal on Human Rights and Law)
4. Paper Presentations
5. Credit Courses
6. Research Assistantships
7. No Moots
8. Kick ass Referees
9. Standard Statement of Purpose
10. One of the best law schools in India

HELP ME PLEASE.

I think you have a good shot. You're certainly not a weak LL.M. applicant. That said, Oxford is exceedingly difficult to get an offer from. You have a very good class rank, and, quite frankly, I wish I had as great a profile as you outline in numbers 2 through 10. That's all really important, and it will help your chances. Good luck!

Thanks Martini for your reply.

I am really scared because I am not in the top 10% of my class. Also, I don't have any mooting experience. But I will give it a try. I am also applying for the Felix Scholarships.

I don't know how that will affect your chances. You should definitely give it a shot, and I wouldn't be surprised if you got it. You do have a great application. But let me just ask what you will do if you don't get in? (I don't know anything about the Felix Scholarships, though I gather you're eligible being from India.)

Hi P_Martini,

What class of degree do you have? The Oxford BCL requires the equivalent to a First Class Honors law degree.

Hi P_Martini,

What class of degree do you have? The Oxford BCL requires the equivalent to a First Class Honors law degree.

Dear Martini,

Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, you are right that people from developing countries (in my case India) are only eligible for felix.

I am sure if I don't get into the Oxford BCL, I will go to either Kings or LSE. But only in the UK. Well, again, I am not sure about my chances at Kings/LSE either, in which case, I may consider Queen Mary or UCL.

Oxbridge is big on academic grades (more so than anything else). Being 30 out of 100 is probably not good enough. A student in the UK who is 30 out of 100 in their cohort will usually hold a 2.1 (which is not good enough for Oxbridge). Usually it's only the top 1-5 per cent who will be good enough.

Still apply though! It depends on how you grades equate to English grades.

I think your credentials will get you an offer from any London college.

Dear Martini,

Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, you are right that people from developing countries (in my case India) are only eligible for felix.

I am sure if I don't get into the Oxford BCL, I will go to either Kings or LSE. But only in the UK. Well, again, I am not sure about my chances at Kings/LSE either, in which case, I may consider Queen Mary or UCL.

Very true. Which program did you choose? I think Edinburgh is a very useful choice and I have heard people opting this college over Queen Mary and UCL. But in my case, I am more interested in criminal laws, so I think Kings is a reliable option after Oxford. Qeen Mary is well known for International Finance, I guess.

In India, 60% is considered to be a First Class Hons. and the Oxford application says it has to be a First Class (i.e. 70%) or an equivalent (60% ???). I think I qualify for the First Class requirement. Isn't it.

Yeah, in fact, if you look each program will generally give a country-by-country breakdown of their admissions standard, e.g., "First Class", so if you haven't already, be sure to go over to Oxford's website and have a look around. I know LSE has a part of its website with this information, and I know I've seen it elsewhere.

As for other concentrations, though, I really couldn't say where some of these schools might rank. On general prestige, I might put Edinburgh ahead of King's but not UCL. That said, my perspective is North American and people are more likely to have heard of Edinburgh than King's and even UCL. For criminal law, though, I have no idea which program might be strongest of those three. They're all pretty closely grouped, I think most people would agree. The order in which they should be ranked is a different matter, though. I couldn't say.

not that it should be your central consideration, but in the UK the most prestigious law schools are considered to be oxbridge, followed by ucl/lse (neck and neck), and then kings/notts/bristol/durham. edinburgh is different as it mainly teaches scots law, but is still an excellent university. however, for law ucl is certainly considered to be a better bet than edinburgh in the UK (where the programmes are best known).

Hey,

I have a similar question. I am the student from Czech republic, so our system of grades is quite different..however, I found on the site of LSE the acceptable grade average for my country so my question is, does it mean that if I have exactly this average, I can stand the chance to be admitted? Provided that I have the good references, some success in moot courts and international work experience. Or is this just indicative and in fact, u have to have the average grade much much below?