Hi

Sorry if this has been asked before, I was wondering approximately how many people apply to Oxford for the BCL each year?

Also, do you think the global financial situation will result in an increase in postgraduate applications (as people lose their jobs and look for something else to do) or a decrease (as people have less money for LLMs?)

Cheers

Certainly an increase. In the USA, applications are up for up to 50% when compared with last year.

Certainly an increase. In the USA, applications are up for up to 50% when compared with last year.

I think a decrease.......banks are not giving out any loans

Applications to Oxbridge won't have increased substantially because you can't compensate marks by work-ex. Plus, those who are academically competent won't have faced job cuts. I think worth of competent people would have only gone up in these times. So, at least, for Oxbridge, there wouldn't be a substantial change in the trends, though, certain amount of increase in no. of applicants might be there.

Applications to Oxbridge won't have increased substantially because you can't compensate marks by work-ex. Plus, those who are academically competent won't have faced job cuts.

I hope so.

For Columbia, applications have gone up by 50%.

Thats amazing!!

Applications to Oxbridge won't have increased substantially because you can't compensate marks by work-ex. Plus, those who are academically competent won't have faced job cuts.

Jags, I disagree a bit because companies are doing job-cuts irrespective of academic competence. They have other criteria in mind and they dont understand international credentials. Applicants to Oxbridge (especially international guys like you and me) are more prone to be thrown out of jobs irrespective of excellent academic creds. Its just your performance and it is not necessary that you will perform well if you have great credentials. I think finances may act as an obstacle for some but not for people from Asian countries as they have seen lesser impact of credit crunch when compared to Western economies.

"companies are doing job-cuts irrespective of academic competence."

Skal is definitely correct about this in my country - the top firms are cutting people based upon what group/area they are in rather than their academic qualifications/competence - some of my friends who have been in the top five at first-tier unis have lost their jobs because they requested a rotation in finance/commercial law. And some firms are offering their top graduates approximately one sixth of their starting salary for each year they defer their start date - this made me wonder what these people will do with that time - nearly all would have first class undergraduate law degrees as the minimum graduate mark for those firms is apparently your university's first class cutoff plus one mark.

Skal, JCL:

In view of strong opinions expressed by you above (and since you are better qualified at commenting on the issue), I would retract my earlier statement.

But, Skal, your point as to lack of finances, especially because of the credit crunch is worth noting. If someone (Americans/Britishers) is out of job, or is being paid poorly, and has already run into debt during earlier studies, he would find it difficult to raise more funds. So that could be a determinating factor.

Otherwise too, I hope there isn't much of an effect on the probability and that commutations and permutations dont work against us.

Yeah, it's a good point.

I hope that the 200+ views of this post in 24 hours are not reflective of the amount of people who applied!!

JCL, you have a valid point here!!! :)

I might be wrong but I somehow remember having been told that Oxford hadreceived about 700 something applications for BCL/MJur last year.

Now, thats an interesting point, because it is generally believed that around 1000-1200-1500 (depending upon the source and whether it is recession or not) apply to Oxbridge.

i know it is rather late but I have been concentrating on applications to US universities because I was under the impression that tuition in the UK is very very unaffordable (as it is in pounds). However, to my surprise, it is somewhat affordable.

Do you guys think it is too late for me to drop an application now? Also, would it be worthwhile for me to try?

I have a first class honours in my first degree (marketing) and a first class for law. I also hold a MBA and LLM - both with a distinction average (i.e. top 10%). should i give oxford a go?

thank you.


cheers,
g

i know it is rather late but I have been concentrating on applications to US universities because I was under the impression that tuition in the UK is very very unaffordable (as it is in pounds). However, to my surprise, it is somewhat affordable.

Do you guys think it is too late for me to drop an application now? Also, would it be worthwhile for me to try?

I have a first class honours in my first degree (marketing) and a first class for law. I also hold a MBA and LLM - both with a distinction average (i.e. top 10%). should i give oxford a go?

thank you.

cheers,
g

Hey lustitia,

sorry was not aware the deadline for oxon has passed! I saw 3 deadlines there but was not aware the one in March does not apply to the BCL. I might give applying to UK a miss then. however, just for the sake of discussion, which is the best? UCL, Kings or LSE?

I am still quite divided between trying to "break into" another legal market (either US/UK) or going into Academia. While I am trying to resolve this dilemma I am applying for both LLM / PhD programs as I hope I would have a solution to this problem later this year. When I do, I will then be able to accept offers in the pathway I have chosen....

Does this make sense? Just so confused at the moment :(

The above 700 figure is indentical to that which I read on the Ox faculty website a few weeks ago. I think Cambridge has generally had more applicants because it is cheaper (at least for home students) by a good few thousand pound- bringing it towards the realms of affordability for a lot.

Geez, 700 is a lot! Do you think that all 700 applicants have first class honours? Or would some apply anyway without?