Also got a warm rejection email here, it was worth a try I guess. Congrats for those who got admitted, and Good Luck to everyone else in the future :)

[Edited by Edgaarrrr on Mar 20, 2019]

Admitted as well. :)

Did anyone apply for the MPhil?

Did anyone apply for the MPhil?

Admitted to the BCL as well. Received the email at 11:29am UK Time :)

I was accepted by a college a few hours after the BCL offer - didn't take long at all!

[Edited by doingalright39 on Mar 21, 2019]

I was accepted by Pembroke College a few hours after the BCL offer - didn't take long at all!

Not yet - I got the college placement email very shortly after the BCL offer. It doesn't seem to be dependent on accepting the offer for your course.

[Edited by doingalright39 on Mar 21, 2019]

To all of you who also hold a Cambridge LLM offer, how are you going to arbitrate between the two? I feel like I'm faced with the most important decision of my life...

I also received a conditional offer for Mjur at 14.00 UK time. Best luck to all! :)

To all of you who also hold a Cambridge LLM offer, how are you going to arbitrate between the two? I feel like I'm faced with the most important decision of my life...

[Edited by Mombastic on Mar 20, 2019]

I notice that the offer letter refers to the BCL starting on Monday 30 September, which is two weeks before Michaelmas full term. Presumably, then, the BCL has extended terms: if so, are they listed somewhere? I'm not able to find any extended term dates for the BCL on the Oxford website.

EDIT: To answer my own question, Monday 30 September marks the start of a two-week induction programme before the beginning of the term proper.

[Edited by Nameless on Mar 20, 2019]

Hey,
could perhaps a few from Germany name their exam grade (MJur)? Would like to know how oxford decides for Germans.

Hey,
could perhaps a few from Germany name their exam grade (MJur)? Would like to know how oxford decides for Germans.

I'm also in the dilemma between MJur and Cambridge LLM. I know that the differences are marginal. Would it be possible for someone who is also having trouble deciding (or who has been in that position) to outline some basic points that we should base our choice on? What are the differences between the LLM and the MJur? Personally, I received funding from Cambridge so that is bound to play an important role, but I'm uncomfortable deciding based on that fact alone..

Many thanks Mombastic for your insights. Provided that I don't end up in a college I don't particularly fancy, I think I'll accept the MJur offer.

Brooke, feel free to text me on pm.

When I did the Cambridge LLM in 2016 it was the number one law school in the world and had been for the past few years. I don't know whether it has been knocked off now though. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about the prestige of the BCL v the LLM. It is true that the Bar likes the BCL, but I'm also applying for pupillage this year and haven't had any trouble getting interviews from the top chambers so I wouldn't worry so much about that either. If you're looking to do research after, it is worth bearing in mind that the BCL is a great feeder for the Mphil (and therefore Dphil) and they definitely prefer you, whereas if you do the Cambridge LLM you have the stress of needing a 1st to get onto the PhD because that is their criteria for you to continue.

What does seem to be true is that Oxford is better for people doing Corporate and Commercial and that Cambridge is better for International Law. They tend to accept people on that basis as well (so if you've been rejected from Oxford, may be better to leave off your love of international human rights next time). But equally, both are pretty strong in their 'weaker' areas as well, and the ICL course at Cambridge was great even though what comes out of the Lauterpacht centre is more well known. Their views on jurisprudence are also diametrically opposed, so it's also worth bearing that in mind- if you are a die-hard fan of Hart then Oxford is for you!

The other thing that is definitely true is that the BCL is more work than the LLM (and everyone, including employers, knows that)- BCL has essays due frequently and more contact hours than the LLM. So depends on what you want from your year- Cambridge tended to have people who were there just for fun because they were bored working and wanted to go to boozy formals. But someone who works with me at the moment adored the BCL and made tons of friends, so I'm sure you would love that as well. Either way, it goes too fast so enjoy it!!

In general, both are great, and you're lucky to go to either. I would follow the funding...

Hope that helps!

To all of you who also hold a Cambridge LLM offer, how are you going to arbitrate between the two? I feel like I'm faced with the most important decision of my life...

The same question popped up during previous years and apparently it doesn't have a concrete answer, which means I'm going to give a personal view about this. I'm on the BCL, and right now, should I be put in a situation to make the final decision between Oxford and Cambridge (even though I got rejected by the second), I would definitely take the BCL. It is extremely demanding and literally takes you outside the comfort zone. The main criticism against the BCL is its name, i.e. Bachelor of Civil Laws, and when applying for jobs outside the UK, people will wonder whether you're taking another LLB. I generally dispel any myths by saying you just put in brackets (LLM Equivalent). Conversely, the BCL is a very strong asset if you want the Bar (mainly in the common law world). It doesn't guarantee anything, but it helps. There's also the financial aspect in the sense that the BCL's more expensive than Cantab's LLM. That's true, but if you have funding for it, the BCL should be your preference.

I also want to emphasise that I'm not the guy who brings into discussion the argument about Oxford being better than Cambridge or vice-versa (I think that's a proposition based on moral outrage and a puerile discussion topic to argue that your Uni's better) nor do I prefer Oxford because Cambridge rejected me. Both institutions the same in many respects - the collegiate structure, opportunities, etc. Also, look at the numbers and see who's in the BCL/MJur cohort - everyone topped their class. Indeed, that may be for Cambridge too, but the BCL is acknowledged to have more prestige than the other.

However, if you're at Cambridge it doesn't mean that your degree is less worthy - that's absolutely not my intention to say! As I said, it's just a matter of personal preference.

Also, Oxford has the Summer Internship Programme - unsure whether it is the same at Cambridge. What's nice about this is that it gives you the chance to have some pretty nice internships in some legal departments across the world :)

Regardless, congratulations to all of you who got accepted either at Oxford or Cambridge. In case you've been unsuccessful, do not be disheartened. You can also reapply next year, and remember: it is also a matter of luck to get into these places. Best of luck to everyone!

Hi, I was also admitted for the BCL on Wednesday! I'm so pleased, given that I was rejected last year. Note to future applicants: there's hope for all. Has anyone heard back from colleges? If so, which colleges? And if anyone was rejected from colleges, how was this notified to you? Thanks (I'm now getting worried about what college I get!)

Hi, I was also admitted for the BCL on Wednesday! I'm so pleased, given that I was rejected last year. Note to future applicants: there's hope for all. Has anyone heard back from colleges? If so, which colleges? And if anyone was rejected from colleges, how was this notified to you? Thanks (I'm now getting worried about what college I get!)

[Edited by doingalright39 on Mar 22, 2019]

Congrats! Yes, I was accepted into Pembroke College on the day I got my offer for the course.

Ahh cool! My preference was Magdalen, but doubt I’ll get it.