Law

Studying Law at Oxford is about reading cases and statutes so that you can understand the complexities of the law and learn to make strong legal arguments. The tutorial system is especially valuable in sharpening your skills and helping you to think critically.

Law is a very strong subject at Trinity. Our students in both the BA and the BCL graduate course achieve very good results. Many of our BCL students achieve Distinctions. Trinity also has a very good record in the four-year course Law with Law Studies in Europe. Most years, one or more Trinity law students will spend their third year studying abroad, in France, Germany, the Netherlands or Spain.

Trinity law students run a College Law Society. It hosts events ranging from talks by eminent lawyers to an annual dinner which allows undergraduates to meet former Trinity students, many of whom have gone on to successful legal careers. The dinner is named for Michael Beloff QC, a former President of the College and one of the country’s leading barristers.

Admissions

Trinity welcomes applications from prospective undergraduate students who wish to study either Law or Law with Law Studies in Europe. Our tutors are happy for applicants to apply with any combination of subjects at A-level or equivalent, and are particularly looking for students able to think clearly, reason rigorously, and read extensively.

Please note that we do not accept Senior Status students (i.e. those wishing to take a Law degree in two years) as our tutors do not consider that two years is enough to get the full benefits of an Oxford law degree.

We welcome applications from strong candidates for both Masters-level courses (especially the BCL) and the DPhil degree in law. We currently have a (postdoctoral) Junior Research Fellow in Law, Yasser Kureshi.

Judge Theodor Meron, a leading figure in international criminal justice, is an Honorary Visiting Fellow of Trinity.

Law Freshers stand in Trinity's front quad.

Our third-year Law students

Students pose outside a sign reading 'Faculty of Law' holding undergraduate prospectuses.

Course Details

The three-year undergraduate Oxford Law course comprises ten core subjects and two optional subjects. The syllabus for this course and for Law with Law Studies in Europe is the same at every College, and you can find more details about it here.

Two female students sit at a table during a law tutorial.

Having lectures and tutorials with the academics who have written the textbooks and articles on your topic is truly inspiring… The main challenge has been using original thoughts. You develop the ability to be critical; learning to question what you read and how to articulate your own ideas on a subject.

Becky

Teaching Structure

In the core subjects of the undergraduate degree, Trinity normally provides tuition within the College, or in a college with which we have longstanding exchanges. This ensures continuity in our students’ teaching. By allowing them to build up a good relationship with tutors, it helps them get the most out of their course. For the optional subjects later in the course, teaching is organised by the Law Faculty, with our tutors maintaining a supportive oversight of our students' progress.

Fund/Grant Information

Trinity is able to offer financial support for travel and living costs to students undertaking internships and other research related to their degree.

Useful Additional Information

Faculty of Law

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Trinity and the Faculty of Law

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Career Prospects

The majority of our Law graduates go on into a legal career. The Oxford Law courses count as qualifying law degrees, so Oxford Law graduates can immediately go on to the Legal Practice Course (for solicitors) or the Bar Professional Training Course (for barristers). Some will also go on to further study or research, and the skills gained from studying Law in the tutorial system – clear argument and strong analysis – are also valuable in a wide range of other careers.

We maintain a wide network of contacts in the major firms of City solicitors and at the Bar, and a number of college prizes are also offered to Trinity law students.