Hi Everyone

I'm looking at the Oxford BCL and Cambridge LLM programmes, and wanted to confirm some things I've heard. I'm from Australia and word on the street is that Oxford is the place to be for Jurisprudence and Human Rights Law whereas Cambridge is the place to be for International Law and Commercial Law. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, what are the respective universities' reputations in private international law? I know that Oxford offers Conflict of Laws and Cambridge offers the International Commercial Litigation course.

Finally, what are the respective universities' reputations in private law remedies including restitution, and equity including agency law? I've noticed that all my equity and company/agency law lecturers are from Cambridge, and wondering whether there's a reason for that.

Thank you in advance.

Having spoken with numerous friends reading for the Oxford BCL and Cambridge LLM, my understanding is that Cambridge has a strong reputation in international economic law whereas Oxford is very strong in its general areas of private law (which is why it is the favoured degree for those going to the English bar, although this favouritism has died down recently).

In terms of private international law, Oxford's conflict of laws course is taught by Adrian Briggs, a pre-eminent thinker in that area. Cambridge's international commercial law course is a bit more specialised and goes into litigation strategy as well, whereas the Oxford course is more theoretical (as is the case for all Oxford BCL courses).

Trust me - it's the same.

The entire difference is the way in which the BCL is taught (makes you think on your feet) and its bigger financial constraints compared to the Cantab LLM.