LLM or BCL


Hey everyone, I've received offers from Brasenose College, Oxford for the BCL and Wolfson College, Cambridge for the LL.M., unfortunately I haven't received scholarships for either programs. I also have the option of taking up the LL.M. at Europa Kolleg, Hamburg with a full scholarship including airfare. I really can't decide where to go. Can anyone help me, I more confused now that I have the option of going to hamburg on a scholarship.

Also which program is better the BCL or the LL.M.(Cambridge) and how good are the employment prospects for an international student in the UK after these programs ?

Hey everyone, I've received offers from Brasenose College, Oxford for the BCL and Wolfson College, Cambridge for the LL.M., unfortunately I haven't received scholarships for either programs. I also have the option of taking up the LL.M. at Europa Kolleg, Hamburg with a full scholarship including airfare. I really can't decide where to go. Can anyone help me, I more confused now that I have the option of going to hamburg on a scholarship.

Also which program is better the BCL or the LL.M.(Cambridge) and how good are the employment prospects for an international student in the UK after these programs ?
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Inactive User

Congrats on all the offers!

Both Cam and Ox have stellar law schools. However, I do think the Cambridge LLM has a very good reputation and is held in high regard. I would pick Cambridge.

As for Hamburg, I understand your concerns. It is so rare to get funding from anywhere these days that it makes you question everything. The programme does seem strong but what are the prospects after it? Will you fill fulfilled that you made the right decision or are you playing safe money wise?

I suggest you ask yourself where you really want to go. If all of them were thrown up in the air and you could only grab one, which would you? The one you shout and/or grab is the one you want to go!

As for jobs in the UK, with a Cambridge LLM or a BCL from Oxford you would be a in a very good position for locum positions or maybe associate (depending on the firm but most likely US firms). You can always qualify as a solicitor afterwards via the QLTS but that will add more expense on top of the studies but if it is something you really want to do go for it.

Good luck!!

Congrats on all the offers!

Both Cam and Ox have stellar law schools. However, I do think the Cambridge LLM has a very good reputation and is held in high regard. I would pick Cambridge.

As for Hamburg, I understand your concerns. It is so rare to get funding from anywhere these days that it makes you question everything. The programme does seem strong but what are the prospects after it? Will you fill fulfilled that you made the right decision or are you playing safe money wise?

I suggest you ask yourself where you really want to go. If all of them were thrown up in the air and you could only grab one, which would you? The one you shout and/or grab is the one you want to go!

As for jobs in the UK, with a Cambridge LLM or a BCL from Oxford you would be a in a very good position for locum positions or maybe associate (depending on the firm but most likely US firms). You can always qualify as a solicitor afterwards via the QLTS but that will add more expense on top of the studies but if it is something you really want to do go for it.

Good luck!!

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wrightone

They are both incredible universities, congrats on getting an offer from both!

I'd choose the BCL. Brasenose is a really nice college,and the BCL itself has a stellar reputation.

Reasons for this choice:

Unlike the Cambridge LLM (and all other LLMs I am aware of), the BCL incorporates the Oxbridge 'tutorial method' into its course - this means that, in addition to lectures and seminars, you will also do between 4 and 10 tutorials per subject (depending on the course) where you'll be expected to prepare an essay or a short paper or presentation, which you'll have to defend with one or two other students and your tutor , who is ordinarily the person convening the course (so, the person who quite literally wrote the book on the subject). It is hard work (having to write a 2,500 word essay every second or third week on top of the readings required for the seminars) and will keep you very busy, but it is definitely worth it in terms of how much you will learn. In saying that, if you're wanting a more relaxed year, then the BCL probably isn't the best choice!

I suppose it also depends what kind of areas of law you are interested in - e.g. international law Cambridge may be better, but human rights/ public law I'd say is better suited to Oxford, or if you're wanting to practice in the UK some of the BCL 'traditional' subjects like conflict of laws, Oxford is also really good.

Congrats on the offer - I'm told they made less offers in the BCL than previous years (at least, a lot more people seem to have been rejected), so its a great achievement.

They are both incredible universities, congrats on getting an offer from both!

I'd choose the BCL. Brasenose is a really nice college,and the BCL itself has a stellar reputation.

Reasons for this choice:

Unlike the Cambridge LLM (and all other LLMs I am aware of), the BCL incorporates the Oxbridge 'tutorial method' into its course - this means that, in addition to lectures and seminars, you will also do between 4 and 10 tutorials per subject (depending on the course) where you'll be expected to prepare an essay or a short paper or presentation, which you'll have to defend with one or two other students and your tutor , who is ordinarily the person convening the course (so, the person who quite literally wrote the book on the subject). It is hard work (having to write a 2,500 word essay every second or third week on top of the readings required for the seminars) and will keep you very busy, but it is definitely worth it in terms of how much you will learn. In saying that, if you're wanting a more relaxed year, then the BCL probably isn't the best choice!

I suppose it also depends what kind of areas of law you are interested in - e.g. international law Cambridge may be better, but human rights/ public law I'd say is better suited to Oxford, or if you're wanting to practice in the UK some of the BCL 'traditional' subjects like conflict of laws, Oxford is also really good.

Congrats on the offer - I'm told they made less offers in the BCL than previous years (at least, a lot more people seem to have been rejected), so its a great achievement.
quote
Bender



Both Cam and Ox have stellar law schools. However, I do think the Cambridge LLM has a very good reputation and is held in high regard. I would pick Cambridge.



Is the implication that the Oxford BCL has something other than a good reputation? Is it held in something less than "high regard"?

If the original poster were choosing between a Fiat or a Golf, would your advice have been: "the Fiat has a full set of tires and a functional engine - I would pick the Fiat"? Would you recommend one apple over another on the basis that the former is a fruit?

It's almost as if the anemic, anonymous advice available on the internet isn't worth the effort it takes to solicit it anymore.

In terms of the initial question, they are both excellent programs. The BCL is more intensive, and generally requires more work on an ongoing basis due to the tutorial system, however, as described above. The LLM is slightly more relaxed.

Perhaps more importantly, the food at Brasenose is incredible.

<blockquote>

Both Cam and Ox have stellar law schools. However, I do think the Cambridge LLM has a very good reputation and is held in high regard. I would pick Cambridge.

</blockquote>

Is the implication that the Oxford BCL has something other than a good reputation? Is it held in something less than "high regard"?

If the original poster were choosing between a Fiat or a Golf, would your advice have been: "the Fiat has a full set of tires and a functional engine - I would pick the Fiat"? Would you recommend one apple over another on the basis that the former is a fruit?

It's almost as if the anemic, anonymous advice available on the internet isn't worth the effort it takes to solicit it anymore.

In terms of the initial question, they are both excellent programs. The BCL is more intensive, and generally requires more work on an ongoing basis due to the tutorial system, however, as described above. The LLM is slightly more relaxed.

Perhaps more importantly, the food at Brasenose is incredible.
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Inactive User

From the opinion of most city lawyers it seems that some people tend to prefer the Cambridge LLM.
As I can't really talk about the course content, I try to give some advice. Better to have some than none.

Not sure if the food comment is also critical for the OP.

Good luck OP and congrats!

From the opinion of most city lawyers it seems that some people tend to prefer the Cambridge LLM.
As I can't really talk about the course content, I try to give some advice. Better to have some than none.

Not sure if the food comment is also critical for the OP.

Good luck OP and congrats!
quote

Thanks all, a friend suggested that I take up the Hamburg LLM right now since its on a scholarship, and apply to Ox-bridge again next year. I personally believe the knowledge I gain at Hamburg will help me make more of my time at Oxford, that is assuming I do get in again next year. Please advice me if taking up the LLM at Hamburg will affect my chances- for better or worse- if I were to apply to Oxford again next year :)

Thanks all, a friend suggested that I take up the Hamburg LLM right now since its on a scholarship, and apply to Ox-bridge again next year. I personally believe the knowledge I gain at Hamburg will help me make more of my time at Oxford, that is assuming I do get in again next year. Please advice me if taking up the LLM at Hamburg will affect my chances- for better or worse- if I were to apply to Oxford again next year :)
quote

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