I'm interested to know who else has gotten into this program - who are you, where are you from etc.

Also, any ideas about funding? I didn't do my funding research until near to the application deadline, and so I missed a lot of deadlines. Ack!!!

Hi Kgov,
I can not help you with the funding research but maybe you can answer my question.
I am intrested in the Master of Studies in Legal Research (MSt). How did you get in? Could you please give me some information about your background, motivatian letter etc.?

I did the MSt this past year and was also subsequently admitted to the Doctoral Program (after successfully defending my thesis).

Send me a message if you'd like to know more information about admissions and my background (I ain't just posting it on here!).

I did the MSt this past year and was also subsequently admitted to the Doctoral Program (after successfully defending my thesis).

Send me a message if you'd like to know more information about admissions and my background (I ain't just posting it on here!).

Well, first advice, is to apply on time! Dude you have until this friday to get your materials to the law faculty! (MSt is third gathered field, which is Jan 18, I believe).

Well, first advice, is to apply on time! Dude you have until this friday to get your materials to the law faculty! (MSt is third gathered field, which is Jan 18, I believe).

Is anyone starting the MSt this upcoming year? Where are you guys from?
I was wondering if it is a good programme and if there is much of a difference between this and the MPhil.

I will be on the MSt (in Legal Research) course this year. Unfortunately, I found out this afternoon that I will not be able to attend the orientation day for research students, since my entry clearance is only valid from October 2, and the orientation begins on September 30. Oh well.

I am a Canadian who went to law school in the US. Can't really tell you how the program differs from the MPhil, as I haven't started yet!

That's awesome! I'm from Canada too :)
Which part of Canada? Where n the US did you study?
I'm originally from Montreal and studied one year in Toronto. I have never been to the UK so it should be quite the experience. Looking forward to it!

The only big difference between the MPhil and the MSt at Oxford is this:

You can only get onto the MPhil program if you have already completed a BCL or MJuris at Oxford, and done so at a very high level (that is to say, completing the BCL is not enough). As such, the bar for admission onto the MPhil is much higher. This may have effects in terms of the calibre of the students (or it may not).

Langhan:

Without inside information about the admissions standards for the MSt, you have no basis to assert that the bar for admissions to the MPhil is higher. Coming at the top of one's class on (say) Harvard's LLM course is no easier than getting a distinction on the BCL. Furthermore, I doubt that the admissions department at Oxford would set two disparite bars at different heights when the two programs lead ultimately to the same qualification, i.e. the DPhil.

CLD: Check your mailbox, I'll PM you.

Furthermore, I doubt that the admissions department at Oxford would set two disparite bars at different heights when the two programs lead ultimately to the same qualification, i.e. the DPhil.

An additional formal qualification, yes. This, however, is not the same as a higher academic bar, nor does it entail that result.

Given the worldwide competition for the small number places on the MSt course (and the size of the applicant pool), the bar for those applicants is raised significantly higher than what is formally required. One needs far more than a "good 1st" to secure a place --one needs to stand out against all those who merely meet that criterion.

You are confusing the requirements to apply with the requirements to win. These two requirements are essentially conflated for the MPhil, but not for the MSt. Again, there is no reason to believe that the standards for admission the latter are any lower, despite difference in the formal requirements for applications.