I'm aware that both Oxford and Cambridge state on their respective websites that they require 1st class honours for admission into their BCL/LLM programs. However, is there anyone out there who has gained admission into either of those programs with marks other than a 1st?

I have a 77% average (which is probably equivalent to a 2A honours) for my JD degree at Melbourne University and have worked at top tier law firms in Australia.

All comments are welcome. Thanks.

I imagine there are people who have been admitted with high 2:1 degrees but I'd imagine they would come from Oxbridge or similar and have been granted mitigating circumstances of sorts. I'm not really sure how much your experience would assist as I find it difficult to fathom how experience in a law firm can make anyone any better at academic study but I do believe it has some role to play in international admissions so you never know, your luck might be in. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that Oxbridge are elite world institutions, not just top UK centres, and so they are incredibly competative to get in and I'd say that, although there are no hard and fast rules to admissions, anyone with less than a first has a great deal to prove in their PS and references if they stand any chance. Good luck!

I've heard rumours that you can get into Cambridge LLM with a 2.1, but the BCL always requires a first I think.

The best approach is to apply, and see what comes back. I firmly believe that.

I'd heard it was the other way round - saying that, there are no hard and fast rules, they'll take everything into account.

oh well! who knows which is correct then!!!

Well, you're right that both institutions seem to state that they require a first, at any rate, so it's probably an outside chance with anything less. But the chances of getting in without an application are, as always, zero.

That said, however, I had just prepared a post with quotes from both school's webpages spelling out their specific requirements, but upon re-reading them, it dawned on me that I had fatally misread both quotes, and that neither was even remotely relevant.

So it turns out, apparently, that actual intelligence or research ability is seemingly NOT a requirement for either school! Who knew?

Take that, Oxford's "Qualitative Requirements" description!

Well, thanks for all your comments.

Look, I suppose that the best thing to do is apply, cross my fingers and hope for the best! I'll also be applying to LSE as well...