Studying Law at Oxford and Southampton

With Eren and Edwin

Law is one of those degrees that almost everyone thinks they understand. Courtroom dramas, sharp suits, decisive verdicts. Yet as this episode of CourseCast makes clear, the reality of studying law at university, and of building a legal career afterwards, is far more intellectually demanding, varied, and human than popular culture suggests.

In this episode, I’m joined by Eren, a recent graduate of a Master’s in Law (specialising in Maritime Law) at the University of Southampton, and Edwin, a second-year undergraduate law student at the University of Oxford. Together, they unpack what law really involves as an academic discipline, how it differs across institutions and stages of study, and what prospective students should know before applying.

One of the clearest themes to emerge from the conversation is that law is not primarily about memorising rules. Instead, it is about interpretation, argument, and judgment. Eren describes studying law as an exercise in exploring how legal rules interact with ethical dilemmas, social consequences, and contested meanings. Cases are rarely straightforward, and even when the facts appear settled, their legal significance almost never is.

Edwin reinforces this view by emphasising the analytical nature of legal study. Much like English literature, law requires close reading: understanding not just what a text says, but why it says it, what assumptions underpin it, and how it might be read differently in another context. This explains why students with strengths in essay-based subjects, particularly English and History, often find law a natural fit.

At Oxford, this analytical focus is intensified by the tutorial system. Small-group teaching pushes students to articulate and defend their own arguments, often under close questioning. As Edwin explains, explanation matters, but argument matters more: students are expected to take positions, justify them, and respond critically to alternatives.

Both guests are candid about the intensity of legal study. Law degrees involve heavy reading loads, sustained independent work, and assessments that demand clarity under pressure. Exams vary significantly by subject. Some modules are assessed through essay-heavy exams, while others centre on problem questions that present deliberately awkward fact patterns with no obvious solution.

These problem scenarios are designed to test legal reasoning rather than recall. Students must identify relevant principles, consider multiple interpretations, and argue persuasively for the most defensible outcome. In some cases, assessment goes beyond written work entirely: mock trials and oral advocacy exercises place students in simulated courtrooms, requiring them to argue cases aloud.

At postgraduate level, the demands increase further. Eren describes his Master’s as requiring far more independent reading than his undergraduate degree, often hundreds of pages per lecture. The reduction in contact hours does not reflect an easier workload, but rather a shift towards self-directed study and deeper engagement with specialist material.

A particularly valuable part of the episode is the discussion of admissions. Edwin’s advice on the LNAT is refreshingly pragmatic: it is not a test you can revise for in the traditional sense. Instead, success comes from practising the format, developing a clear process, and building wider reading habits, particularly through serious journalism.

Both guests emphasise that personal statements should demonstrate genuine interest and reflective engagement, not exhaustive lists of achievements. Admissions tutors are not looking for ‘law machines’. They want intellectually curious, well-rounded students who can explain why their experiences matter and how they have shaped their interest in law.

The same principle applies to interviews. Preparation matters, but over-rehearsed answers can be counterproductive. Interviewers are interested in how applicants think, not how much they have memorised. Being thoughtful, open to challenge, and willing to learn matters far more than appearing infallible.

The episode also demystifies legal careers. Eren outlines the solicitor route in detail, from training contracts to the Solicitors Qualifying Exams, while also explaining how this differs from becoming a barrister. Although the pathways are demanding and highly competitive, they are also structured, which can provide reassurance to students who value clarity about next steps.

A particularly interesting contribution is Eren’s discussion of Maritime Law. As a niche but globally significant field, it combines elements of criminal, commercial, and regulatory law, while offering relative security in an increasingly competitive market. His choice highlights an important lesson: specialising strategically can open doors that more saturated areas of law may not.

Edwin, still earlier in his journey, discusses vacation schemes and the reality of repeated rejections. His advice is to apply selectively and thoughtfully, focusing on firms that genuinely align with your interests rather than sending generic applications en masse.

Both guests address concerns about artificial intelligence with a measured perspective. AI can be a useful study aid, particularly for clarifying dense material or identifying key themes. However, they agree that it cannot replace the core of legal work: human judgment, ethical reasoning, and contextual understanding.

Law, as Eren puts it, is a human construct, designed to regulate human behaviour. Accountability, interpretation, and discretion remain fundamentally human tasks. Rather than replacing lawyers, AI is more likely to become a tool within legal practice, not a substitute for it.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the episode is reassurance. Law can appear elitist and intimidating from the outside, but both guests stress that this perception is misleading. Students from a wide range of backgrounds succeed in law, provided they are willing to work hard, remain resilient, and maintain perspective.

Their advice to prospective applicants is clear: focus on your exams, explore the subject honestly to see if it suits you, and avoid being intimidated by stereotypes. Progress in law is often slow and incremental, but persistence matters.

As always, it was a pleasure to record a new episode of CourseCast. I’m excited to announce that CourseCast is now offering private consultations with university students, allowing you to ask your own questions 1 on 1 and dive even deeper into the degrees you’re interested in! Go to our website for more details.