Law & Law with Law Studies in Europe

On average, St John's accepts 8 Law students per year.

St John's welcomes applications for Law with Law Studies in Europe.

Students applying to study law should be able to formulate and evaluate arguments and adapt them to changing information and circumstances. A good law student is articulate, precise and enjoys being challenged.

The entry requirements for this course are determined by the University’s Faculty of Law

More information about applying to study Law at Oxford can be found on the Faculty’s website.

General advice about applying to St John’s can be found here.

• St John's students are part of a thriving and supportive community.
• The tutorials for most of the compulsory core modules are delivered by fellows of the College.
• Law students have their own well-resourced Law Library in College, in a purpose-built setting in the new Kendrew Quadrangle.
• The St John's College law society, the Holdsworth Society, includes students, tutors and alumni. Each year this holds dinners and other social events and organises the popular Holdsworth Mooting Competition.
• Hogan Lovells, a major firm of solicitors, sponsors a prize for the best performing second year lawyer.

• By studying law you will develop valuable skills. The tutorial system ensures you are able to produce clear written and oral arguments. You will learn to apply what you have studied to concrete situations, and to think both with and about law, from a range of diverse perspectives.
• Law alumni from St John's include the former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, Sir Stephen Richards (former Lord Justice of Appeal), Lord Hamblen (Justice of the Supreme Court), Nigel Carrington (former Vice-Chancellor of University of the Arts, London), Alistair Burt (former MP and Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa), and Shaheed Fatima KC (barrister, awarded the Liberty/JUSTICE ‘Human Rights Lawyer of the Year' 2007). Many others have gone on to notable careers as barristers, solicitors and legal scholars, as well as a broad range of careers outside the legal profession.

Philip is a first-year student reading Law with German Law

What A Levels (or equivalent) did you take?

History, Latin, Philosophy, Maths, Further Maths, German

What inspired you to study at Oxford?

I’m very interested in law and in particular the theoretical study of how the law does (and should) develop. The opportunity to study the subject in great depth and be taught by world experts in the field was therefore something that appealed to me a great deal when deciding to apply to study at Oxford. I was also drawn to the focus on independent study and thought: I was confident that the tutorial system, focusing (especially in subjects like law) on reading and discussion, would fit my skillset and be an intellectually stimulating environment.

What do you like about studying at St John's?

Perhaps the best thing about studying at St John’s is the carefully balanced academic environment. We have a great culture of encouragement from tutors, peers, and everyone else, to put your best foot forward academically, but I never feel under pressure to succeed. College life is very suited towards a good working environment: I spend much of my time reading in the College Law Library (St John’s being one of the few colleges to have one), but there is also a great range of places to relax and take a break.

What aspects of your degree do you find particularly enjoyable or fulfilling?

I find there’s something very satisfying about finishing a (relatively) long reading list and suddenly realising how much I now understand the content. It’s that process of discovery and learning which, if a bit clichéed, I think is the most fulfilling part of studying. It’s also great fun, after beginning to understand something, to reflect on what I think about it to answer an essay question. The process, typically weekly, of constructing an argument, often in response to quite a specific question, is certainly enjoyable: it combines a sense of creativity with a careful attention to detail.

How does life in College compare to what you originally envisioned?

I was pleasantly surprised on arriving and settling in to find out how social the environment in College is. I think it’s very easy to preconceive of the College simply as somewhere where you sleep, work, and eat, but I found it much more all-encompassing than that: beyond the dedicated social spaces (which St John’s has plenty of), simply the frequency with which you bump into others and have a chat is excellent. College life is busy and exciting.

What do you do in your spare time?

I spend a lot of my spare time walking around the beautiful streets and parks of Oxford. We are also lucky at St John’s to have amazing gardens, which are a great place to wander around and spend some time outside when the weather is good, and right on our doorstep are the expansive University Parks. Oxford is also a very buzzing city and so there’s plenty to get up to!

What advice would you give to someone hoping to study at Oxford?

I think the best advice, not only for succeeding in admissions, but also for getting the most out of your studies, is to think very carefully about what you want to study and - crucially - why you really want to study it. If, for example, you’re thinking about studying law, the question to ask yourself is: what is it about law that interests you academically? Perhaps you’re drawn to a certain area of law and how it interacts with society. Maybe a particular book or other resource sparked your interest. I think the admissions process is very genuine in this respect: at every stage of the process, the tutors are looking to take the students who are the most passionate and have the greatest potential to get the most out of three (or more) years of study at Oxford.

Oliver is a second-year student reading Law with French Law.

What A Levels (or equivalent) did you take?

French, Modern History, Maths, Further Maths

What inspired you to study at Oxford?

Oxford University's prestige and reputation for academic excellence were definitely major factors. The tutorial system was also appealing, since I've always found that being able to talk directly with experts in a field is more effective for learning than being taught in larger groups. I was also drawn by the rich history and culture of the university, and its strong college communities.

What do you like about studying at St John's?

The college has excellent resources, with the law library being an especial bonus for law students. It has great financial support, very cheap but comfortable accommodation and great catering in halls and the Kendrew café. The college gardens are another excellent feature, especially during Trinity term when it's at its best.

What aspects of your degree do you find particularly enjoyable or fulfilling?

I really enjoy the intellectual challenges of legal reasoning, especially in tutorials and essays where I'm able to reckon with all the various perspectives on a given topic to arrive at a reasoned conclusion. The breadth of the subject keeps things varied and interesting, but that challenging (but rewarding!) centre is always there.

How does life in College compare to what you originally envisioned?

I expected an intense academic environment, which is what I've found, but I was surprised by the level of support and downtime we're afforded as well. It's been much easier than I expected to maintain an active social life in college, whether it be in the form of society events, college workshops or activities or informal social gatherings.

What do you do in your spare time?

I've always had an interest in linguistics, which life at college has allowed me to pursue further. Having access to other subjects' faculties, libraries and lecture series is a great opportunity to engage with academic topics even outside the scope of your degree. I'm also passionate about creative writing, for which there are lots of workshops offered by various colleges and the university as a whole. I also have lots of opportunities to go out for meals with friends and one of the many great eateries in the city, or to hang out in the many available college facilities.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to study at Oxford?

Above all, don't be intimidated. Applying to Oxford can seem daunting, but most applicants are in the same boat as you. Interviewers are looking primarily for people with potential, not those who have already achieved it. Present yourself honestly and authentically, read widely and demonstrate a real passion for your subject, and your suitability should come across naturally.

Gareth is a second-year student reading Law

What A Levels (or equivalent) did you take?

Maths, Further Maths, History, English, and Economics

What inspired you to study at Oxford?

Oxford had three main appeals: firstly, it was (and still) is one of the best places to study law; secondly, the historic buildings mean even the most mundane days can still have a sense of beauty; and thirdly, I really liked Harry Potter growing up.

What do you like about studying at St John's?

The fact accommodation is on-site for the duration of the degree is probably the biggest advantage to the college. It makes such a difference not having to worry about finding a place to rent or plan for a 20-minute bike ride to get to the library. St John's is also willing to use its endowment which means that the college's wealth does result in frequent and tangible benefits to students.

What aspects of your degree do you find particularly enjoyable or fulfilling?

At Oxford, we do not have any exams after Mods (after your second term in first year) until Finals. To me, this space to parse the different subjects from contract to jurisprudence is incredibly fulfilling as the connections between the subjects start to emerge. The structure of the course at Oxford encourages students and provides the time to slowly see how, for example, the various subjects of private law intersect. While more is expected at Finals as a result, I feel more able to read about the subject for knowledge's sake rather than having to worry about being assessed every year.

How does life in College compare to what you originally envisioned?

Somehow, it passes both faster and slower than I expected. Since law at Oxford requires a lot of self-directed learning, it means I spend a fair amount of time on my own to get through the reading. At the same time, there is always so much going on over the eight-week terms; by the end, I'm always almost surprised that as much happened as it did.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a member of the University's amateur boxing club so training can take up a fair amount of my spare time. But I also like to watch YouTube cooking videos and try to replicate some of the recipes for myself. When I don't feel like cooking, formals are another great way to catch up with friends over some good food.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to study at Oxford?

If you are particularly interested in any subjects, I would encourage you to read more about it in your spare time. Read about the topics that specifically interest you and maybe even some academic articles. You don't need to understand everything. But if you find you enjoy it or are just curious to know more, then consider studying that subject at Oxford.

Philip is a second-year student reading Law.

What A Levels (or equivalent) did you take?

I did the IB program, studying Higher Level Math, Physics and History and Standard Level English A, French A and Chemistry

What inspired you to study at Oxford?

What inspired me to study at Oxford was a) the teaching style and academic rigor, b) the city and c) the college community. I found that the tutorial style and one-on-one teaching that Oxford boasts was best placed to help me reach my maximum potential as a student and as a professional, particularly when learning from some of the world's most successful experts. The community the college creates was also something unique that inspired me to study at Oxford. Being in an environment of like-minded students in such a tight-knit format seemed like an opportunity like no other. Finally, the city itself was incredibly inspirational (this goes without saying!).

What do you like about studying at St John's?

St John's college creates an excellent environment that allows students to become their best selves. The fact that I get to live in college all three years of my undergraduate degree in ancient quads like Front and North Quad is notable in this regard. Having tutors close by equally invested and integrated in the community also makes the experience more fulfilling and engaging. The libraries, gardens, cafes all make students feel as comfortable as possible and equip them with the tools required to succeed and flourish during term time. Whether I am need of some fresh air and greenery I can go to the garden, or when I'm in need of social interaction and go to the Marquee there is always something at St John's that fits my needs. Indeed, I think what I like most about studying at St John's, beyond the expertise of our tutors, is simply the environment that it creates. I firmly believe there is no place that better prepares students for the difficulties of term time.

What aspects of your degree do you find particularly enjoyable or fulfilling?

I find the academic rigor of my degree particularly fulfilling. The discussions I have had with both my tutors and my peers inspire me to learn more about a various range of subjects, some I had never considered before. You never know what interesting and stimulating conversation you'll will have when walking the college grounds. The content of my degree is equally enjoyable. I was not quite convinced I wanted to study law when I first applied but have now fallen completely in love with the subject and cannot wait to pursue a career in the field. Oxford does an excellent job of allowing students to individually engage with the subject-matter of their degree in ways that are most meaningful for them. Extra-curriculars have also made my degree wonderful. I got involved with mooting early in my time at Oxford and this has now become a central part of my university experience. In April, for instance, I had the opportunity of representing the University at the world's largest international moot in Washington DC. The fact that I have the opportunity to explore my interests, no matter how diverse, has supplemented the academic appeal of my degree.

How does life in College compare to what you originally envisioned?

I never expected everything to be in such close quarters, virtually eliminating the need to walk more than 10 minutes to get all the amenities and resources that are required. I expected life in College to be tight-knit and within close-quarters but never to this extent! Life in College, for someone coming from Canada was a shock, to say the least as the living, teaching and social arrangements are radically different from those that I am used to in North America. Life in College feels more like living in board than living a 'traditional' university life, perhaps (in a good way, of course).

What do you do in your spare time?

During my spare time I like to spend time with my friends exploring the city, play football for the college and get involved in extra-curriculars (I am a member of the Law Society and spend a lot of my time mooting).

What advice would you give to someone hoping to study at Oxford?

Be true to yourself. Oxford is a university that brings together a diverse range smart students. Don't get lost trying to fit in or be anyone other than your true unapologetic self! This is the best way to make the most of your experience and to find the crowd of people that fit you. Focus on your studies but remember to make the most of your time at school!