Hi all,

I have received offers from both oxford and cambridge...but am a little confused as to which university to go to..and would appreciate any help/ inputs...

My main area of interest is law of WTO and the inter linkage between trade, human rights and environment...

although from the other posts i gather that oxford BCL has a better reputation...will this analysis change given my interest areas...

Thanks a lot!!!

I doubt whether one can/should really rank a BCL and a Cambridge LL.M. against each other (MJur might be something different), although this definitely is a popular topic on LL.M. Guide and many self-proclaimed specialists try to do that. My strong impression is that in most cases, these people tend to follow personal impressions/preferences rather than an objective standard. However, it makes sense as soon as - like in your case PIL - special fields of interest come into play.
I don't know exactly about the corresponding facilities in Oxford for PIL, but Cambridge has the Lauterpacht Centre, which is internationally renown. Therefore it definitely is a good choice.
You might want to check out these threads, too:
http://www.llm-guide.com/board/79664
http://www.llm-guide.com/board/82226
They also argue in favour of Cambridge.

Best of luck,

Dutchman

Cambridge has a better reputation in public international law and is widely considered to be the best place for PIL internationally. Oxford is famous for jurisprudence and private law (restitution etc). There are some good PIL people at Oxford too, but Oxford is not a star in that field.

If you're really committed to PIL (and are confident that you can find a job in the field and/or are interested in academia), it makes more sense to pick Cambridge. Having said that, BCL is considered to be the superior programme amongst the two generally (more rigorous, more student/faculty contact, a little harder to get into etc.), so think twice before turning it down.

There are enough PIL courses at both universities to choose from. If I were you I'd focus on what kind of educational system suited me better.

More WTO publications come out of Cambridge than Oxford, but both law schools are not leaders in the area of WTO law. It's a bit misleading to assume because Cambridge has a solid PIL speciality they'll also be good in WTO law. WTO law is a niche subject and many PIL experts have little knowledge of the subject. Generally though, Cambridge would be the better choice for WTO studies.

If your intention is to get the best WTO education (rather than the best brand name), I would say UCL is a better choice of university for WTO matters and linkages. They run a module looking specifically at WTO linkages, and they have academics looking at WTO/environment issues (eg. Joanne Scott).

The best places (globally) for WTO law are Georgetown and the WTI, Berne.

hey..thanks a lot everyone!!!! tried finding out from other sources as well...looks like when it come to PIL (WTO Law included)..Cambridge seems to be an overall better choice..but it really is difficult to let go of a BCL Offer!!!

anyways..another point in favour of Cambridge seems to be that it is so much cheaper than oxford..it costs almost one third less!!!

however, I am facing some problems with funding..so may end up requesting for deferment of my offer..have you guys heard of anyone who has got it deferred..and what reasons they gave..is lack of funding a good enough reason considering that the offer it itself is conditional upon funding proof!!

on another note..is any scholarship result still pending for cambridge or are all of them already declared??

Thanks a lot once again..you guys have been of great help!!!

hey..just another thing..do you guys know if the cambridge LLM has always been this cheaper than the oxford BCL...or is the increase in the oxford fees a recent phenomenon..and cambridge may follow soon...i understand that fees are subject to revision every year..but am wondering if there is chance that the next revision for 2011-2012..will bring the cambridge fee at par with oxford?

This info is necessary..since if I defer Cambridge..only to end up paying a lot more next year..the amount I will save in one year will go in covering the increase in fee itself!!! and my deferring the offer will not be of too much help in terms of finances..

Oxford recently (!) increased their fees for 2010/11 sharply to over 10.000 pounds. Personally, I think it is not unlikely that Cambridge (currently around 6.500 to 7.000 pounds) will follow in subsequent years. They'll be introducing a new Corporate LL.M. next year, and perhaps the corresponding reform of the LL.M. curriculums might also be a good opportunity to adjust fees. However, I don't think that an increase for the general LL.M. will be higher than 1 - 1.5k pounds. But these are all just my personal thoughts!
I don't think that there is any official information on this topic.

hey..just another thing..do you guys know if the cambridge LLM has always been this cheaper than the oxford BCL...or is the increase in the oxford fees a recent phenomenon..and cambridge may follow soon...i understand that fees are subject to revision every year..but am wondering if there is chance that the next revision for 2011-2012..will bring the cambridge fee at par with oxford?

This info is necessary..since if I defer Cambridge..only to end up paying a lot more next year..the amount I will save in one year will go in covering the increase in fee itself!!! and my deferring the offer will not be of too much help in terms of finances..

Hey Bolivia!!!

No, I actually went that year itself. Did not apply for deferment. Sorry can't be of much help!!

Would you recommend the LLM programme at Cambridge, though?

I myself wish to specialise in PIL and have offers from both Oxford and Cambridge.

Thanks!

Dear All,

I see the post are a little bit old, but I try anyway: I would like to have information on WTO law. I work full time, so I was thinking to a PhD at Berne University (I am already in Switzerland). I am a lawyer and I have a LLM form a US top 10 university.
Is it possible to do both, i.e. work full time and obtain a PhD? Is the Berne PhD well regarded? Any experience to share?

Many thanks in advance!