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Oxford/Cambridge admissions

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The_Nagle

Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:48 AM
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.
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S_Dimelow

Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 70
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Wed Sep 10, 2008 09:23 PM
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!
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hjscotland

Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 133
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Tue Sep 16, 2008 02:40 PM
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.
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Brett

Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 49
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Tue Sep 16, 2008 02:44 PM
I'd heard it was the other way round - saying that, there are no hard and fast rules, they'll take everything into account.
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hjscotland

Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 133
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Tue Sep 16, 2008 02:48 PM
oh well! who knows which is correct then!!!
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Bender


Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 84
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:56 PM
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!

[Edited 16 Sep 2008 by Bender]
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The_Nagle

Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Oxford/Cambridge admissions
Sun Sep 28, 2008 07:23 AM
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...

[Edited 28 Sep 2008 by The_Nagle]
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