Law (Jurisprudence)
Studying law at Oxford equips you for careers as a solicitor or barrister while developing versatile skills applicable across many fields. The degree focuses on critical thinking, analytical reasoning, constructing persuasive arguments, precise writing, and independent thought. Students engage deeply with primary sources, including cases and statutes, forming their own views on what the law is, why it exists, and how it could evolve.
Oxford offers two law courses: Course I, the standard three-year BA in Jurisprudence, and Course II, a four-year BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe. Course II follows the same curriculum but includes a third year abroad in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or the Netherlands, studying local or European law and gaining exposure to different legal systems and teaching approaches.
For graduates from other disciplines, Oxford provides a Senior Status accelerated version of Course I, allowing them to join the program and complete the degree in a shortened timeframe. Both courses cultivate a profound understanding of law, preparing students for professional practice or further academic study.
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Oxford Law Degree Overview
The Oxford BA in Jurisprudence offers two pathways: the standard three-year Course I and the four-year Course II (Law with Law Studies in Europe), which includes a year abroad studying European or international law. Both pathways are equivalent to an LLB and equip students with a strong foundation in legal theory and practice.
UCAS Code: Refer to course options
Entrance Requirements: AAA at A-level or equivalent
Course Duration: 3 years (Course I) | 4 years with a year abroad (Course II)
Subject Requirements
Course I: No specific subjects required
Course II: A relevant modern language is required for the year abroad, with Italian treated as an exception
Helpful Background: Any subject involving essay writing is advantageous
Other Requirements
Admissions Test: LNAT mandatory
Written Work: Not required
Admissions Statistics
Course I: 31% interviewed, 10% accepted, intake 188
Course II: 26% interviewed, 9% accepted, intake 29
This program is ideal for students seeking a prestigious law degree with rigorous academic training, international exposure, and preparation for careers in law, public service, and beyond.
A Typical Week for Law Students
At Oxford, a typical law student’s week combines tutorials, lectures, and seminars. You usually study one to two subjects at a time, increasing to up to three subjects in your third year.
Tutorials are the core teaching method. You can expect one or two hour-long tutorials per week in small groups of 2–4 students. Written work is usually required for each tutorial, helping you develop critical thinking, analysis, and argumentation skills.
Lectures and Seminars supplement tutorials. Lectures are non-compulsory but strongly recommended, averaging 2–3 hours per week. Third-year students may also attend discussion-based seminars for their optional courses. Seminars typically involve up to 30 students, though occasionally larger groups may meet if covering multiple topics.
Most of your study time—approximately 45 hours per week—will be devoted to reading, reflecting, and writing essays in preparation for tutorials.
Expert Teaching Staff
Most tutorials, lectures, and seminars are led by world-leading researchers and academic experts in their fields. Some sessions may also be taught by doctoral-level postgraduate students, providing a diverse and high-level academic experience.
For a detailed overview of how the teaching year is structured, you can visit Oxford’s Academic Year page.
Law Course Structure
The Oxford BA in Jurisprudence is carefully structured to provide a comprehensive grounding in law, combining core subjects, optional topics, and, for Course II students, an international study experience. Course content may be subject to change, but the following reflects the current structure.
Year 1 Foundations of Law
Core Courses:
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
A Roman Introduction to Private Law
Legal Research Skills and Mooting Programme
Course II Additions:
French, German, Italian, or Spanish law and language classes (first six terms)
Dutch language courses for students studying in the Netherlands
Assessment:
First University Examinations: Three written papers covering Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Roman Introduction to Private Law.
Examinations are typically held at the end of Term 2.
Year 1 (Term 3), Years 2 and 3
Core Courses:
Tort Law
Contract Law
Trusts
Land Law
Administrative Law
European Union Law
Jurisprudence
Optional Courses:
Two subjects selected from a wide range of options available on the Law Faculty website.
Course II Students:
Year 3 is spent abroad at a European partner university, with assessments conducted both at Oxford and the host institution.
Assessment:
Final University Examinations: Written papers in Tort Law, Contract Law, Trusts, Land Law, Administrative Law, and European Law.
Jurisprudence: One shorter written paper plus an essay (submitted after the second year summer vacation).
Optional courses: Assessment methods vary depending on the option selected.
Students should note that not all optional courses are offered every year, and the university may adjust the content or assessment format as necessary.
Academic Requirements
To apply for the BA in Jurisprudence at Oxford, students must meet rigorous academic standards. Offers vary depending on the qualification pathway, but all are assessed with respect to the context in which they were achieved.
UK Qualifications
A-levels: AAA
Advanced Highers (Scotland): AAB, or AA with an additional Higher at grade A
International Qualifications:
International Baccalaureate (IB): 38 points overall, including core points, with 666 at Higher Level
Other Qualifications: Equivalent UK or international qualifications are also considered. Applicants are encouraged to check the official Oxford admissions guidance for specific equivalencies.
Oxford considers contextual data wherever possible, taking into account the academic environment, school performance, and personal circumstances to ensure fair evaluation of all applicants.
Subject Requirements
Course I – Standard BA
Helpful: Studying a subject that involves essay writing can be beneficial for preparation, but it is not mandatory for admission.
Course II – Law with Law Studies in Europe
Essential Language Requirements:
To study in France, Germany, or Spain, candidates should have studied the relevant language to A-level, Advanced Higher, IB Higher Level, or an equivalent qualification.
To study in Italy, A-level Italian is not required, but candidates must demonstrate sufficient language aptitude to succeed during the year abroad.
Intensive language training will be provided during the first two years where necessary.
Helpful: An essay-based subject is advantageous but not compulsory.
Additional Requirements:
If any science A-level used to meet your offer includes a practical component, it must be successfully passed.
Non-native English speakers must meet Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements.
Alternative Pathway:
Students who may not meet standard academic grades but demonstrate a strong interest in law may be eligible for the Law with a Foundation Year. Details on eligibility and academic requirements are available on the Oxford Foundation Year pages.
Applying
All applicants must follow the standard Oxford University application process, as outlined on the Applying to Oxford pages.
Course-Specific Guidance:
The information provided here highlights key details relevant to candidates applying for the BA in Jurisprudence or Law with Law Studies in Europe.
Ensure that all academic and language requirements, admissions tests (LNAT), and deadlines are met as specified for your chosen course.
Candidates should consult Oxford’s official admissions pages regularly for updates or changes to the application process.
Admissions test
All applicants to Oxford Law (Jurisprudence) must complete the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) as part of their application.
Key Dates for 2025 Entry:
Test Date: 15 October 2025
Registration Deadline: 15 September 2025
It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure they are properly registered for the LNAT. Early registration is strongly recommended to avoid last-minute issues. Comprehensive information, including preparation guidance, is available on the LNAT official page.
Additional Language Requirements for Course II:
Candidates applying for Law with Law Studies in Europe (Course II) in France, Germany, Italy, or Spain may be required to complete an oral language test in the relevant European language during the interview. This ensures adequate proficiency for studying law abroad.
Written work
Applicants to the Oxford Law (Jurisprudence) BA do not need to submit any written work as part of their application. The admissions process focuses on academic achievements, LNAT scores, personal statement, and interview performance rather than pre-submitted essays or assignments.
Careers for Law Graduates
Oxford Law graduates enjoy a broad range of career opportunities, although most pursue legal professions. While the degree awarded is a BA in Jurisprudence rather than an LLB, both Course I and Course II meet the Bar Standards Board requirements for the academic component needed to qualify as a barrister.
For aspiring solicitors, graduates must complete the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination (SQE), as per the latest SRA requirements. Many alumni also practice law internationally, leveraging their grounding in English common law, which forms the basis of legal systems in several other countries.
Graduates from the four-year course with a year abroad gain valuable international legal knowledge, particularly in French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Dutch law, enhancing their global career prospects.
Victoria, a graduate who completed a training contract with Linklaters, reflects on her experience:
“Studying Law at Oxford was about far more than learning and applying the law. I learned to consider its history and social context, critically assess what I was learning, and develop my own informed opinions.”
Oxford Law Financial Support
Oxford University ensures that financial circumstances do not prevent academically qualified students from studying here. The university offers one of the most generous financial support packages in the UK, which may be further supplemented by individual colleges.
Course Fees (2026)
Home (UK): £9,535 per year
Overseas (International): £43,600 per year
Full-time Home undergraduate students can access tuition fee loans from the UK government, covering course fees in full, so payment upfront is not required. Fee levels are capped by the government and may increase annually.
Living Costs
Living costs at Oxford are estimated between £1,405 and £2,105 per month, depending on your lifestyle. The academic year is divided into three eight-week terms, so students typically need funds for around six months, though budgeting for nine months is recommended to cover holidays and essential expenses. Oxford’s college provisions and world-class facilities help manage these costs efficiently.
Financial Support for Home Students
Oxford offers extensive bursaries and scholarships for UK students:
Families earning around £50,000 or less may qualify for Oxford bursaries.
Additional support is available for households earning £32,500 or less.
Government loans and living cost support are also available for eligible students, including Irish and EU students with UK settlement status.
Students from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man have access to specific financial support through their respective funding agencies:
States of Jersey
States of Guernsey
Isle of Man
Overseas Students
International students can explore scholarships and bursaries listed on the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page.
Note: Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree are considered Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) students and are not eligible for government or Oxford funding.
Additional Fees
Students enrolled in Law with Law Studies in Europe spend their third year studying abroad at a partner European university. During this year, tuition fees are significantly reduced compared to standard Oxford fees.
Estimated Year Abroad Fees (2026/27)
Home students: £1,430*
Overseas students: £13,985
*Note: These figures are illustrative and may change once the government confirms the official course fee cap for Home undergraduates in 2026. Current policy charges fees for the year abroad at 15% of the government-set fee cap for Home students.
Funding and Support for Year Abroad
Oxford has bilateral agreements with partner universities in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Financial support may be available through the Turing Scheme, which provides living cost grants and enhanced assistance for disadvantaged students.
Students studying in Paris may also apply for housing benefits.
Living Costs and Work Considerations
Students are advised not to undertake regular paid work while abroad due to full-year coursework.
UK students can continue accessing government funding, and means-tested bursaries from Oxford remain available for lower-income households.
Additional travel grants and financial assistance may be provided by the University and individual colleges.
For detailed information on living costs in each host country, students should visit the relevant Oxford pages:
France
Germany
Italy
The Netherlands
Spain
This ensures transparency and proper financial planning for a successful year abroad experience.