Law with Senior Status

When applying to do a second degree, such as law with senior status, at oxford, (yet having completed the first degree at a slightly less prestigious uni), is there the same competition in admissions as that found at undergraduate level?

I suppose I am talking about myself here, but after an English degree at Birmingham, this is what I've got my mind set on. But does anybody happen to know how competitive entry would be at this level? Or perhaps to continue with English and do an MA in that...?

Reply 1

dokebi

i do not have the answer to your first question,
but just wondering,
have you considered a law conversion course...?
its certainly shorter than doing a whole new degree...
and it opens the way to a career in law too.

Reply 2

silence

i have, but these second degrees you do are two years long, as i think you have to get some work done in the summer before starting. with a law degree, you only spend one year training at law school, rather than two. so in theory it's just gaining an extra year, but i'd assume it would result in being better qualified. i've heard (although everyone hears everything about every career path) that law degrees are the most sought after qualifications. particularly in the top five and american firms, they prefer and in some cases only recruit those with law degrees. a conversion course, however, shouldn't hinder and application to a top twenty firm. apparently :confused:

Reply 3

d750

A friend went on to do a law as a senior student, and is just about to finish. But he absolutely hates it. It's an incredible amount of work, and its dispiriting because it very hard to do as well as someone who has an extra year's experience. He got a mid 1st in his first degree, but is looking at a 2.2 now.

Reply 4

viviki

Senior status at places like oxford I believe are very competitive you would need a very high 2.1 or a first.
Other unis are alot easier to get into for senior status than at undergrad level though, quite honestly because the institutions need the money.

Reply 5

dokebi

hmm. but isnt oxford short of money as well?
i mean with all these headlines about oxford wanting to favour international students....

Reply 6

viviki

But oxford can pretty much get whoever they want because of their superior reputation. Supply exceeds demand.

Reply 7

silence

to do study at oxford after the age of 21 requires quite a bit of money i thought

Reply 8

Hoofbeat

dokebi

hmm. but isnt oxford short of money as well?
i mean with all these headlines about oxford wanting to favour international students....

I don't think Oxford are necessarily short of money, but rather keen to keep their profits high/increasing!

Reply 9

viviki

I think it really depends what you want. Yes the city conversion course is seen as prestigious here but if I was looking for international recognition I'd do the course at Oxford.

Reply 10

d750

Economicz

Of course, another option would be to go to graduate law school in the US where most professional legal qualifications are taken after graduation. Obviously the Ivies and certain other schools are extrememly prestigious, if that's what the poster is after. I just think it's a little pointless to do a 2nd BA, and admissions tutors will probably need a very good reason to admit students to do them.

Not at option is you want to practice law in Britain, surely?

Reply 11

Fluffy

There are figures onthe Oxford website on admissions - it includes the number of senior students they admit.

Beware though - as a senior student you're looking at full international fees (regardless of whether you're a 'home student' or not) as well as the college fee... I guess saving a year of study is a good thing, but it still costeth lotseth!

Reply 12

silence

thanks for all the feedback about this.

obviosuly such a thing is still a couple of years off at least, but there's so many bloody paths to take. i'll let u all know when i'm studying my conversion course for cardboard recycling management strategies or something.