Oxford is renowned and one of the best universities in the world, especially for its faculty of Law. The Law course at Oxford is ranked 1st in the UK by The Complete University Guide (2023).
Not only is it competitive to gain a place at Oxford, but the Law course is one of the most competitive degrees too. In 2022, the Annual Admissions Statistical Report revealed that Oxford Law receives 8.1 applicants per place. Oxford Law’s acceptance rate is just 13%. Hence, only a small selection of applicants are successful in receiving an offer, and the application process is far from simple.
If you’d like to get into Oxford University for Law or you’re just curious about what it takes to get into one of the broadest and most thorough Law courses in the UK, then this guide contains everything you need to know – from entry requirements to tips on what you need to do to get into Oxford.
The Profs’ Law tutors have first-hand experience with the admissions process and what is required to succeed at each stage. Thanks to our expert support, students who work with The Profs are over three times more likely to receive an offer from Oxford University. Reach out to our team today to maximise your chances of success.
What is the Law course at Oxford like?
Oxford’s undergraduate Law course is academically acclaimed for its rigour and depth. Oxford offers its Law students premier library facilities, extensive opportunities for mooting and debating, and distinguished faculty.
Law is a prestigious Humanities Discipline. The Law course at Oxford offers unparalleled access to academic resources, unrivalled chances to develop advocacy skills, and instruction from world-renowned legal scholars.
At Oxford, the undergraduate Law degree can be attained through two different courses. Both allow you to explore an area of law that interests you. There are two types of Law degrees at Oxford:
- Course I: BA Jurisprudence is a three-year course
- Course II: Law with Law Studies in Europe (LLSE) is a four-year course
Both courses follow the same syllabus, however, Course II offers a year abroad for its third year. The third year is to be spent studying abroad, gaining exposure to different legal systems and approaches; students develop additional skills and languages though usually instructed in the local tongue.
Please note that Course I allows acceleration for those with a prior degree through the “Senior Status” path, outlined on the Law Faculty website along with details on course options, opportunities, and requirements.
When considering applicants for its Law programme, Oxford places particular emphasis on strong analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. These skills will be further developed and honed throughout the course and can be applied to a range of career paths, including roles in law firms, government, non-profit organisations, and academia.
Oxford Law graduates have the opportunity to graduate with one or more of the following degree titles: Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence (BA Jurisprudence), Magister Juris (MJur), or a Master of Philosophy in Law (MPhil Law).
What are the entry requirements?
The entry requirements to study Law at the University of Oxford are high as Oxford is one of the most competitive universities to get into.
Take a look at the table below detailing the Oxford Law entry requirements:
Other UK qualificationsCheck the full list of UK qualifications accepted by OxfordOther international qualificationsCheck the full list of international qualifications accepted by Oxford
| Qualification | Grades Required |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA |
| Advanced Highers | AAB or AA with an additional higher at grade A |
| IB | 38 (including core points) with 666 at HL |
Worried that you won’t achieve the necessary grades for Oxbridge Law? The Profs’ A level and IB tutors can help. We have extensive experience helping students excel in their coursework, final exams and entry tests for this competitive course. Reach out to our team for support.
What subjects are recommended?
For some courses, your subject choices determine your eligibility. However, at Oxford there is no advantage or disadvantage to studying Law before university. No specific subjects are requested from candidates applying for Course I. Though, generally, Oxford deems it helpful if applicants have taken a subject that incorporates essay writing.
It is mandatory for Course II students to provide proof of proficiency in their chosen language for the course (unless the year abroad is in the Netherlands).
It is advised for Course II applicants to prove that they’re suitable for the foreign studies part of their course and demonstrate a genuine interest in the foreign legal system, as well as highlighting any experience with other languages. A level language skills are desirable, but not necessary. Extracurriculars like volunteering or reading are satisfactory too.
What admissions tests are there?
To be considered for Law at Oxford you must take The Law National Admissions Test (LNAT). The LNAT can be taken before or after submitting your UCAS application.
The LNAT is split into section A and section B. Section A is multiple-choice and is marked out of 42. Section B is an essay question which is not marked, though your essay will be sent to Oxford for the tutors to assess whether you can deliver a convincing argument and come to a conclusion.
According to LNAT data, average scores fall below 22. Oxford’s shortlisted applicants tend to score about 28, and successful applicants usually score about 29. So, aiming for a high score is vital if you’re setting your sights on Oxford Law School. This means it will be crucial to study and complete LNAT practice tests. The Profs provide highly esteemed LNAT tutors to help you ace this step of your application.
How hard is it to get into Oxford Law School?
Applying for Oxford is no simple feat. Getting into Law is especially competitive and challenging. If you’re thinking about applying to Oxford, take a look at the table below to get an idea of the competitiveness surrounding this undergraduate degree:
| Course Type | Interviewed | Successful |
|---|---|---|
| Course I | 36% | 12% |
| Course II | 32% | 10% |
The Profs’ Oxbridge admissions tutors can help you triple your chances of getting into Oxford to study Law. Thanks to our network of experienced tutors, many of whom are Oxbridge graduates and ex-admissions officers themselves, we have the very latest and best knowledge on what Oxford is looking for in their Law applications. Get in touch with us today to chat with a member of our team about how we can help with your application to Oxford.
What are the fees for Law at Oxford?
The table below shows the annual course fees for Oxford’s Law students:
| Home students | International Students |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | Between £28,950 and £44,240 |
You can find out more information about what fees you will pay on Oxford’s fee status page. You can also use Oxford’s fees, funding and scholarship search to see the funding options available to you.
4 tips on how to get into Law at Oxford
1. Prepare thoroughly for each stage of the admissions process
When applying to study Law at Oxford, there are many stages of the admissions process to consider. You should prepare for each one thoroughly if you’re set on being offered a place.
Your grades – preparation for your Oxford application really starts from the moment you start secondary school. It is worth noting that Oxford, unlike many other universities, is interested in your academic history before Sixth Form. Though their expectations regarding your GCSEs (or equivalent) differ depending on your course. For Law, aspiring Oxford students are required to have at least a grade 4 or 5 (a C grade) in GCSE Maths to prove that they are sufficiently numerate. Don’t worry if your GCSE grades aren’t up to par. The Profs have tutors dedicated to GCSEs and resists. Excellent A level grades (or equivalent) are essential in order to be considered for a place at Oxford, so you should be aiming for AAA in your A levels (or equivalent) as a minimum.
Your UCAS application – the first official stage of your Oxford application is completing your UCAS application online. As well as your grades, this includes your personal statement. This is the first chance you’ll get to showcase your suitability for Law at Oxford and prove that you are interested and committed to the subject areas. Find out how to write a stand-out personal statement in this helpful guide.
The LNAT – you are also required to take the LNAT test when applying for Law at Oxford. This is designed to be challenging, so it’s really important that you prepare for it just as you would for any other exam.
The interview – if your UCAS application and test scores are impressive enough, you may be invited to an interview at Oxford. This is your last chance to impress the university and prove that you are an excellent candidate for Law.
The Oxford Law interview assesses your academic ability, potential, and capacity to present a justified argument whilst considering counterarguments. It is used to find out how you think and gauge whether the Oxford tutorial system suits you. Oxbridge interviews are like oral admissions tests and there is often even a mark scheme your interviewers will be scoring you against, so it’s important to seek professional help to prepare effectively. At The Profs, we have excellent interview training experts that can help you prepare specifically for your Oxford Law interview.
Note that all students applying to university for 2023, 2024 or 2025 will still be required to submit a UCAS personal statement as normal. However, from January 2025 onwards (October 2024, for Oxbridge applicants), there will be changes to the UCAS application process and students will no longer be required to write a personal statement. Instead, all applicants will answer a series of shorter, more tailored questions provided by UCAS.
2. Show evidence of your love for law
With such a low success rate, it’s important that you do everything you can to make your application stand out from the crowd. Your academic ability might get you on the shortlist, but it’s not what secures your place. Oxford particularly looks for applicants who have a true interest in law as well as exceptional abilities and dedication. There are many ways you can show this, such as:
Conduct wider reading, beyond your school syllabus – Self-learning demonstrates a desire to learn about law at a higher level. Reading around law will allow you to draw from a wider bank of knowledge than your standard curriculum. This should demonstrate excellent capability and genuine interest in law, which will help you to stand out.
Take on relevant extracurricular activities – With the competition so high, academic excellence is not enough. Stand out by showing initiative and interest beyond your curriculum. For Oxford Law, this could look like being part of a debate team, writing for your school newspaper, attending summer school, or taking on responsibilities in a leadership role. Or maybe you’ve built a relevant blog you’d like to reference.
Find relevant work experience – Relevant work experience will help you to demonstrate your ambitions and genuine fascination for law, as well as your commitment to it. If you know someone that works at a court, law firm, or for a politically focused publication, ask them if you might be able to help out or shadow for a week or two.
Even if you don’t know anyone, have a look online for local opportunities and reach out. If this isn’t possible, something as simple as attending public access court hearings and recording some notes will prove your interest and dedication to law. If you do mention your work experience, remember to discuss how it will help you as an Oxford Law undergraduate.
3. Have a 5-year plan
Another factor that can set you aside from other applicants is having a 5-year plan. This doesn’t have to be a plan that you necessarily stick to – in fact, it is expected that your interests and ambitions change as your knowledge and experience grow. Having a plan is simply a great way of demonstrating to Oxford that you are committed to the subject and that you are motivated to succeed at your degree, and thus would be a valuable Oxford student.
The first step to having a plan is to develop an understanding of the industries a Law degree can lead to and the specific areas you can specialise in. Make sure you outline your future intentions with an Oxford Law degree, whether that includes embarking on a PhD in Law, a legal profession, or pursuing a certain jurisdiction.
It is good to show your goal as well as prove your motivation to show you are a forward-thinking candidate who is serious about your career. Relating your areas of study, activities and personal passions back to potential careers is essential to presenting a targeted, future-focused candidate profile in just a few sentences.
4. Seek help from an expert Oxbridge admissions tutor
If you want to apply to Oxford it’s important to be aware of how competitive the Law course is.
Your application requires you to perform well in multiple stages to be in with a chance of securing an offer. Shortlisted candidates can often fall at the last hurdle of admissions. Unfortunately, schools and colleges are oftentimes not equipped to provide specialist Oxford and Cambridge preparation due to a lack of experience, expertise or resources. As a result, we advise seeking a professional Oxford admissions tutor to help you through the process.
The Profs’ Oxbridge admissions tutors have many years of experience helping students develop their academic profiles, tailor their application to Oxford’s admissions criteria, prepare for the LNAT exam, and excel in their admissions interview.
Plus, Oxbridge applicants are over three times more likely to receive an offer when working with The Profs’ experts. At The Profs, You’ll gain invaluable independent study skills that will prepare you for study at an elite UK university, as well as a deeper and broader understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to study Law at degree level. Reach out to our experienced team today to get started.
