Hi people, I am in the process of applying to the University of Oxford to study the BCL programme. I graduated with a 1st from UCL. However, during the first year of my study I was extremely ill and, as a result, only obtained a 2:2 on average. Will this affect my chance of being accepted? It should also be pointed out that I am a working as a judicial clerk for a High Court judge.

Your chances are very good. I would be very surprised if you didn't get an offer for the BCL. UCL and Oxford moderate each other's undergraduate law examinations to maintin the parity of standards and the chief external examiner for the Oxford BCL is a UCL professor. In my experience, all first class LLBs from UCL get an offer for the BCL if they apply for it.

Just make sure you write a good personal statement, send in a good piece of written work and get some UCL professors who know you well to write your references. Explain carefully about your first year illness.

Good luck.

Hey Kazaf, thanks for your comments. I would like to ask you another question though if I may - how much weight is given to the essay part of the application?

Kind regards,

Davey

The essay is one of the factors used in evaluating candidates for admission. I think it plays a role only if your grades are excellent. If you didn't have a First, an excellent essay is unlikely to save you. Since you do have a First, a poor essay might put them off, but you really shouldn't be worried about that! If you could get a First in law at UCL, you can certainly produce an essay that would satisfy them.

Thanks again for help Kazaf - will post a message if I get in!

Have a great Christmas!

Kind regards,

Davey

Hey Kazaf! What are you doing back here? I am in mid-BCL procrastination mode. How is the LLM going? The BCL is a killer in terms of workload. What are your plans for next year? Send me a PM if you like because I don't know if I'll be back here soon.

As for Davey's question, it seems to me that it is your overall mark that counts. If you got a first overall from UCL I would be surprised if you didn't get into the BCL.

I don't know what difference the essay makes to be honest, although it may affect whether your first choice college take you on.

My advice is to choose an essay that you think contains a logical, rational approach to a problem. Don't overreach and choose one that you think will impress because it's full of difficult theory or on what you consider to be a particularly difficult area of law unless you are also very comfortable that you have dealt with the issues methodically. If that makes sense.

Question --

I'm new to this board, but I saw your post about Oxford and thought you might be able to help me out.

I'm from the US, and did my undergrad here (graduated with a 3.7GPA). I then worked in Haiti for about 2 years with orphan care and community development. Since then, I've been traveling back and forth to Haiti every few months to visit the people I worked with (mostly the kiddos) and working full time as a fundraiser for a University. I really want to get back into school, and into international work. I think the LLM program at Oxford would be perfect for me.

But... it's Oxford. What are my chances of getting in? I have great experience, and I have a keen interest in this sort of program, but I don't want to go through all the hassle if I have NO chance! What do they look for? I'm taking the GRE now, and my pre-test scores have been about 1100 total (600 math, 500+ on verbal).

Can you help me with some tips or advice?

Kind regards,
Amy