Hi all,

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me. I've currently applied to UCL, KCL and LSE for a LLM. But I don't know if it's worth applying to Oxford and Cambridge as well. It says on their websites that they require a First, but I've heard of quite a few people being accepted with 2.1s.

So my question is, do you think I would have any chance. Please be as honest as possible, because I don't want to waste my time trying and bothering my referees again if it is pointless. My background is as follows:

I have a 2:1 degree from Staffordshire University, about the level of 65%. In my second year, I won the award for being the Best Undergraduate of the Year, based on my academic performance that year. I have also completed the LPC at Nottingham Law School, where I gained a distinction. I have worked in a law firm for around 2 years, where I was basically an assistant to a lawyer in a small high-street law firm.

So what do you think? Would I have any chance?

Also, do the application forms for Oxford and Cambridge ask about GCSE (high school grades) and A-Level results, or only degree and postgrad results?

Thanks and PLEASE reply!

I don't know anyone who got into the BCL or Camb's LLM in recent years without a first, and I know quite a few people from my university (LSE) who have gone. I think they use degree class to filter the applications initially. Hasn't the deadline for Cambridge already passed though? (may be completely wrong)

The deadline for Cambridge is 1st December for postal applications (the online deadline was two weeks before this) so it might be too late to get your application together and sent for 2010. Oxford's deadline for the BCL is some time in January.

I'm sorry but I'm really not sure how the selection process at either university is done and whether anyone has been admitted with a 2.1.

The applications don't ask any questions about your school education.

I hope this helps a bit. All the best with your applications :)

TBH, with a 2.1 from Staffordshire, I'd say you don't have a chance.

However, you never know, so always apply.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I always thought it would be a long shot, and I only asked because I heard of a couple of people being admitted with a 2.1. However, on the basis of the advice given here, and my own thoughts, I don't think I will apply. It appears that I don't have a chance, so the hassle of writing a 2,000 word essay, getting references etc doesn't seem worth it.

If anyone else disagrees with the replies above, PLEASE post, otherwise, I think I will just stick with LSE, UCL and KCL. At the moment, I have been recommended for an offer from UCL, still waiting on the others :)

I've heard of people getting offers for Cambridge wih a 2.1 but not for the LLM (taught). I certainly know of someone who had an offer for a research degree focusing on criminal law.

You don't need to write a 2,000 word essay for Cambridge...or at least I hope you don't since I've already submitted my application.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I always thought it would be a long shot, and I only asked because I heard of a couple of people being admitted with a 2.1. However, on the basis of the advice given here, and my own thoughts, I don't think I will apply. It appears that I don't have a chance, so the hassle of writing a 2,000 word essay, getting references etc doesn't seem worth it.

If anyone else disagrees with the replies above, PLEASE post, otherwise, I think I will just stick with LSE, UCL and KCL. At the moment, I have been recommended for an offer from UCL, still waiting on the others :)

GeorgeP,

I'm currently reading for the BCL at Oxford, and I don't know of anyone who has less than a first. So I think it would be a long shot for you to get on the BCL. You would need to have mitigating circumstances for getting a 2:1 -- e.g.: you were ill during your finals or you had to work full-time while studying. And you would need strong references, both academic and professional, and a good CV and personal statement. Personally, I don't think you have anything to lose by submitting an application (except your time, of course), even if your chances of getting in are not great, but you have everthing to gain.

All the best,

Jim

...i spoke to members of the admissions departments of both oxford and cambridge in a bid to determine whether or not i ought to apply for the bcl/llm given my upper second degree classification. i was told - very nicely, although very categorically - that i didn't really have a snowball's chance in hell on account of the simple fact that both universities are inundated with applications of an exceptionally high calibre, particularly so for as popular and competitive a discipline as law.

that said, stranger things have been known to happen. george bush was after all elected twice. so go for it, you've nothing to lose!

I read some comments with some false information for the applicants.

First of all, I know more than half of the LL.M. students at Cambridge at the moment and have not come across any student with a degree less than First. To be honest, most of them were the first rank holders with offers from various universities such as Harvard and Oxford.

Secondly, you need a first to proceed to the Cambridge's research programme unless there are exceptional circumstances such as writing up a perfect dissertation but not achieving a first.

Hi

I am trying to apply to Oxbridge's Master program in law for the next academic year. I have completed my LLM the top ten ivy leauge law school in USA. My average grade is about A-. My school does not rank the student. I have worked as a corporate and securities lawyer for 4 years. Do you think I am wasting my time applying to Oxbridge?

GTT, you ought to check Oxbridge's websites... if I'm not mistaken, they say somewhere that students already holding an LLM shouldn't apply. But I'd crosscheck that if I were you 'cause I'm not 100% sure.