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By "law" do you mean the taught courses that the faculties offer, or the research profiles of the two faculties?
I will deal with each in turn:
To restate one of my earlier posts: the main difference in the undergraduate degrees is the structure which is remarkably different, the Oxford system consists of 3 papers taken for Mods at the end of the second term and all of the other exams at the end of the third year; with Cambridge 4 exams are taken at the end of the first year and then 5 a year thereafter. With Oxford Administrative Law and Jurisprudence are compulsory- neither are compulsory at Cambridge; the Cambridge system also means you take two extra subjects than your Oxford counterparts- in effect you get 4 extra choices which your Oxford counterparts will not get which can be taken from a wide range of subjects. For Cambridge Roman Law is still compulsory in the first year, whereas Oxford gives you a choice between Roman Law and Introduction to Law. Although personally I would take Roman Law- the subject is fascinating and gives you a good overview about how different areas of law interact.
Cambridge supervisions for each subject run for three terms whereas Oxford tutorials in each subject tend to run for one term but be considerably more frequent during that term.
I am told that Oxford is more theoretical and Cambridge is more black letter- I am yet to conclude on this myself, since taking Cambridge as an example there are a considerable number of Oxford educated lecturers and vice versa; some have taught at both institutions. Although from what I have seen essay questions are more common on Oxford law papers than on Cambridge ones which tend to have more problem questions.
Given the choice I would take the Cambridge law Tripos for undergraduate studies- ultimately it gives you more choice in choosing your options, so you can take a greater number of subjects thus having a wider range of subject knowledge after your BA. That said the Oxford structure does provide for greater time to reflect upon the subjects taken.
I do however believe that the Oxford BCL has the edge for postgraduate studies, it is an excellent course (but considerably hard work), which unlike many other courses (including the Cambridge LLM) is taught by lectures, seminars and tutorials. It is also longer course than the LLM, however if you wanted to specialise in PIL the LLM might be more appropriate (see below).
As for the research profiles both Faculties have their differing strengths, Cambridge has undoubtedly a better reputation in the field of Legal History than Oxford, and also is traditionally strong in Public International Law. Oxford has an excellent reputation for jurisprudence and private law (particularly restitution and conflicts). These factors are however of little concern to the aspiring undergraduate and are far more relevant to PhDs/DPhils.
I will deal with each in turn:
To restate one of my earlier posts: the main difference in the undergraduate degrees is the structure which is remarkably different, the Oxford system consists of 3 papers taken for Mods at the end of the second term and all of the other exams at the end of the third year; with Cambridge 4 exams are taken at the end of the first year and then 5 a year thereafter. With Oxford Administrative Law and Jurisprudence are compulsory- neither are compulsory at Cambridge; the Cambridge system also means you take two extra subjects than your Oxford counterparts- in effect you get 4 extra choices which your Oxford counterparts will not get which can be taken from a wide range of subjects. For Cambridge Roman Law is still compulsory in the first year, whereas Oxford gives you a choice between Roman Law and Introduction to Law. Although personally I would take Roman Law- the subject is fascinating and gives you a good overview about how different areas of law interact.
Cambridge supervisions for each subject run for three terms whereas Oxford tutorials in each subject tend to run for one term but be considerably more frequent during that term.
I am told that Oxford is more theoretical and Cambridge is more black letter- I am yet to conclude on this myself, since taking Cambridge as an example there are a considerable number of Oxford educated lecturers and vice versa; some have taught at both institutions. Although from what I have seen essay questions are more common on Oxford law papers than on Cambridge ones which tend to have more problem questions.
Given the choice I would take the Cambridge law Tripos for undergraduate studies- ultimately it gives you more choice in choosing your options, so you can take a greater number of subjects thus having a wider range of subject knowledge after your BA. That said the Oxford structure does provide for greater time to reflect upon the subjects taken.
I do however believe that the Oxford BCL has the edge for postgraduate studies, it is an excellent course (but considerably hard work), which unlike many other courses (including the Cambridge LLM) is taught by lectures, seminars and tutorials. It is also longer course than the LLM, however if you wanted to specialise in PIL the LLM might be more appropriate (see below).
As for the research profiles both Faculties have their differing strengths, Cambridge has undoubtedly a better reputation in the field of Legal History than Oxford, and also is traditionally strong in Public International Law. Oxford has an excellent reputation for jurisprudence and private law (particularly restitution and conflicts). These factors are however of little concern to the aspiring undergraduate and are far more relevant to PhDs/DPhils.
Sorry, Knogle, I just couldn't resist... 
PDJM - very informative post.
I don't know much about law, as you may have guessed. I had to look up the definition for 'black letter law', and this is what I found:
Do you mean to say, then, that the Cambridge course has a reputation for being more about comprehensive learning of cases, whereas the Oxford course is less comprehensive in that way but focuses more on the philosophical aspects?
PDJM - very informative post.
I don't know much about law, as you may have guessed. I had to look up the definition for 'black letter law', and this is what I found:
An informal term indicating the basic principles of law generally accepted by the courts and/or embodied in the statutes of a particular jurisdiction.
Do you mean to say, then, that the Cambridge course has a reputation for being more about comprehensive learning of cases, whereas the Oxford course is less comprehensive in that way but focuses more on the philosophical aspects?
manthi
There seems to be this conception among everyone here that Cambridge is better at sciences while Oxford is better at the arts. Is this true?
Well, if you look at the Times good university guide, the only reputable source of academic league tables, cambridge is better than Oxford in law, history, english literature, spanish and portuguese, italian, french, german, music, linguistics, geography, russian, classics, ancient history, economics and archaeology. So i think youre a bit of a silly sausage for suggesting that Oxford is better for arts.
Niccolo
Well, if you look at the Times good university guide, the only reputable source of academic league tables, cambridge is better than Oxford in law, history, english literature, spanish and portuguese, italian, french, german, music, linguistics, geography, russian, classics, ancient history, economics and archaeology. So i think youre a bit of a silly sausage for suggesting that Oxford is better for arts.
If you look at the Tines good university guide, the only reputable* source of largely-inaccurate academic listings...
*In that it puts Cambridge top...
2 5 +
If you look at the Tines good university guide, the only reputable* source of largely-inaccurate academic listings...
*In that it puts Cambridge top...
If you look at the Tines good university guide, the only reputable* source of largely-inaccurate academic listings...
*In that it puts Cambridge top...
Haha, i was referring more to the fact that the guardian table is highly influenced by ridiculous, politically correct ideological considerations as opposed to pure academic strength.
Niccolo
Haha, i was referring more to the fact that the guardian table is highly influenced by ridiculous, politically correct ideological considerations as opposed to pure academic strength.
The Guardian tables often make for comedy reading, but that's the only good thing that can be said for them. I particularly liked last year's rankings for Medicine, which were not only very strange, but differed hugely from the rankings the year before that, despite no new information (2004 rankings shown in brackets):
1. Imperial (9) [controversial, but ok]
2. Hull [welcomed its first students in September 2003]
3. Oxford (17) [well, I would have put it higher]
4. UCL (24) [fair enough, I suppose]
5. Manchester (14)
6. Dundee (6) [come again? they have a medical school?]
7. Cambridge (4) [finally!!]
...
13. Newcastle (15) [hmm, usually this is ranked as the best one in the country, but fair enough!]
...
24. Southampton (21) [even though it's the most competitive school numerically to get into]
This is going to be very controversial, but I'm going to give you my opinion on the Oxford/Cambridge law question.
In my experience of being good friends with law students at both schools, the Oxford course seems to be MUCH more hellish workwise. Jurisprudence finals are a nightmare - 9 papers within two weeks at most - and I have heard that the way the grading system works (arguably) makes it easier to get class I at Cambridge. But they are both probably equally respected by firms/chambers if you wanted to go into law, and I'm sure Cambridge law is hard work too.
So - if you want a SERIOUS challenge, probably much greater than anything you've experienced before, go to Oxford. If this scares you, go to Cambridge. Just an opinion, of course.
In my experience of being good friends with law students at both schools, the Oxford course seems to be MUCH more hellish workwise. Jurisprudence finals are a nightmare - 9 papers within two weeks at most - and I have heard that the way the grading system works (arguably) makes it easier to get class I at Cambridge. But they are both probably equally respected by firms/chambers if you wanted to go into law, and I'm sure Cambridge law is hard work too.
So - if you want a SERIOUS challenge, probably much greater than anything you've experienced before, go to Oxford. If this scares you, go to Cambridge. Just an opinion, of course.
suziestonebitch
This is going to be very controversial, but I'm going to give you my opinion on the Oxford/Cambridge law question.
In my experience of being good friends with law students at both schools, the Oxford course seems to be MUCH more hellish workwise. Jurisprudence finals are a nightmare - 9 papers within two weeks at most - and I have heard that the way the grading system works (arguably) makes it easier to get class I at Cambridge. But they are both probably equally respected by firms/chambers if you wanted to go into law, and I'm sure Cambridge law is hard work too.
So - if you want a SERIOUS challenge, probably much greater than anything you've experienced before, go to Oxford. If this scares you, go to Cambridge. Just an opinion, of course.
In my experience of being good friends with law students at both schools, the Oxford course seems to be MUCH more hellish workwise. Jurisprudence finals are a nightmare - 9 papers within two weeks at most - and I have heard that the way the grading system works (arguably) makes it easier to get class I at Cambridge. But they are both probably equally respected by firms/chambers if you wanted to go into law, and I'm sure Cambridge law is hard work too.
So - if you want a SERIOUS challenge, probably much greater than anything you've experienced before, go to Oxford. If this scares you, go to Cambridge. Just an opinion, of course.
Last time I checked, the percentage of people that get a First in Law at Cambridge was extremely low. An average figure for most subjects is about 20%, but for Law it's closer to 5%! It's not meant to be a system with a fixed quota of Firsts, so this is only an average value for the final year. As for the rest of what you said, thanks for your sincere opinion.
sTe\/o
The Guardian tables often make for comedy reading, but that's the only good thing that can be said for them. I particularly liked last year's rankings for Medicine, which were not only very strange, but differed hugely from the rankings the year before that, despite no new information (2004 rankings shown in brackets):
1. Imperial (9) [controversial, but ok]
2. Hull [welcomed its first students in September 2003]
3. Oxford (17) [well, I would have put it higher]
4. UCL (24) [fair enough, I suppose]
5. Manchester (14)
6. Dundee (6) [come again? they have a medical school?]
7. Cambridge (4) [finally!!]
...
13. Newcastle (15) [hmm, usually this is ranked as the best one in the country, but fair enough!]
...
24. Southampton (21) [even though it's the most competitive school numerically to get into]
1. Imperial (9) [controversial, but ok]
2. Hull [welcomed its first students in September 2003]
3. Oxford (17) [well, I would have put it higher]
4. UCL (24) [fair enough, I suppose]
5. Manchester (14)
6. Dundee (6) [come again? they have a medical school?]
7. Cambridge (4) [finally!!]
...
13. Newcastle (15) [hmm, usually this is ranked as the best one in the country, but fair enough!]
...
24. Southampton (21) [even though it's the most competitive school numerically to get into]
The last thing you should use to judge the quality of a course is the applicant
lace ratio. A high ratio does not necessarily indicate a good course, but instead a course which is turned down by many.Knogle
The last thing you should use to judge the quality of a course is the applicantlace ratio. A high ratio does not necessarily indicate a good course, but instead a course which is turned down by many.
lace ratio. A high ratio does not necessarily indicate a good course, but instead a course which is turned down by many.I'm well aware of that, but the applicant : offer ratio is very high at Southampton as well. I know some extremely good applicants that were turned down by Southampton, whereas there are some med schools that are relatively easy to get into in comparison. I'm not saying it should be in the top 5 or something, merely that it shouldn't be 24th out of 27!
EDIT: Southamtpon also scored full marks in the TQA. I'm not sure what they got in the research assessment exercise, but they're a top place for medical epidemiology. I just can't see what the ranking is actually based on. Compare this to Hull, which has no reputation in any field and is probably relatively easy to get into, yet has been ranked 2nd.
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