Law School Preparation

To see what our previous students have had to say about our University Preparation programmes, please click here.

Course Overview

• Students aged 16- 18
• Residential in Balliol College, University of Oxford
• 2 week courses in July and August
• Students must be aged 16 or over before the 1st September 2012
• Students must be fluent English speakers - Please contact us direct if you have queries over your level of English

About the Course

This course is for students who have a keen mind, an interest in society and a love for argument,  and who are considering studying Law at university. There are two reasons for taking this course. The first is to give students a taster of studying Law at undergraduate level. The second is to prepare them for the competitive entrance process to top law schools around the UK. In the process, the course also provides students with vital life skills such as critical thinking and logical reasoning which they will find useful during their university applications as well as in their future career, whatever it may be. 

About law

Law is one of the most fascinating subjects which can be studied at university level. Many people believe that it involves learning lists of rules; this could not be further from the truth. The study of law is a study of our society, and its practical implications are in the headlines every day. Law is the stuff of controversy and passion. Law is also about the power of words and language to mould ideas and understanding.

A victim of years of domestic violence loses control and stabs their spouse. Should they be found guilty of murder? The answer lies in the meaning of "provocation" and how the courts interpret it.

A group of sailors are shipwrecked, alone in a lifeboat for weeks on end, and decide to kill and eat the cabin boy in order to survive. Is that murder? Or was the killing a necessity, without which none of them would have survived?

Both of these cases are real, and illustrate the kind of difficult moral questions with which, as lawyers, you will have to grapple.

About the legal career

Law students are lucky - they study a subject which offers both stimulating and enjoyable learning, and excellent career prospects. A law graduate has a whole range of options available. The skills developed during a law degree are valuable in nearly any field - you will find law graduates in politics, journalism, non-profit work, banking, financial services and more.

Course Details

The programme combines sessions devoted to the process of applying to law school with sessions in which students will learn about an aspect of law and then debate it.

Preparation for law school applications and legal work experience

On the Law Preparation course, students discuss skills necessary in a good law school and law firm interview. They are asked to consider different types of questions which might be asked in interviews, and how to best tackle them. They learn how to write a good legal essay and increase their own commercial awareness in order to apply for relevant jobs and internships in the legal sector. 

Students are guided through the process of writing a strong personal statement. Over the two weeks they draft their own statement in order to get it almost ready by the time they leave Oxford.

In addition, students look at the LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) which is used by many universities to assess applicants. Students are introduced to the most important skills necessary to tackle the essay section of the test. They also look at the types of multiple choice questions asked on the exam, and get a chance to answer them under times conditions.

A particular highlight for our students is the opportunity they have to visit Oxford Crown Court to experience advocacy first-hand and to gain a sense of what it is like to present in court. Students will also receive a chance to work in groups on a moot. A moot is an argument about the law. Students will be given a set of facts, and research and prepare an argument on behalf of their (fictional) clients. Through the exercise students will practise their speech-writing and advocacy skills. The programme ends with a mock trial in which all students will play different roles.

"This course gives excellent and very interesting background information on what Law is. It also helps a lot for the applications to British universities because it increases your awareness of interviews, personal statements and courses." (Tommaso from Italy)

 Examples of areas of law covered by the course may include:

• Introduction to the English legal system.
• The sources of law.
• Introduction to the law of torts.
• Business law.
• Judicial review/public law.
• Criminal law - exactly what are you allowed to do?
• Contract law - is a deal always a deal?

 All of the above subject areas will be covered with the help of real-life examples of important legal cases. 

For a sample timetable of the course please see the PDF attached to the bottom of this page.

Afternoon Workshops

In the afternoons, students follow one series of workshops chosen by them from the list provided below.

Previous Students

"As I'm only 17, I wasn't at all sure about what to study at University, and that is how the summer school helped me. The summer school was extremely helpful, as I now already know a lot of the basics that I am studying at University. That gives me an edge over the other students here. In our inductions, our tutors  told us about court rooms and how they work and I remembered the mock trial we had at Oxford. It was an experience I will cherish all my life." (Adhishree from India)

"I was recently elected Vice-President and National Coordinator of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) Austria. The EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate involving thousands of young people across the continent and the resolutions of its International Sessions are directly passed by the European Commission to the real European Parliament. After attending some National and International Sessions I am now Vice-President of its represantatives in Austria.

"I think I owe this success to a big part to Oxford Royale Academy. Above all the Public Speaking & Debate Workshop helped me a lot in achieving the necessary expertise in those fields. I am looking forward to see how the Law Preparation Course will help me in the difficult semester to come." (Mateo from Austria)

"I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks of Law prep. It gave me an excellent insight into Law and has prepared me for future plans. I loved the teacher and our class and this made the week even more exciting." (Millie from the United Kingdom)

Oxford Activities & Free Time

A full cultural and recreational programme is provided as a part of the course. Activities include museum tours, the botanic gardens, guest lectures and different summer sports, including the traditional English game of croquet. Students also have an opportunity to visit many of Oxford's most famous colleges and explore the fascinating museums and gardens. 

For "shopaholics" Oxford offers a wealth of charming markets and department stores. In the evenings, the programme offers students international parties, quiz nights, debates and variety performances. 

During the programme there are opportunities for students to take coach excursions where they will explore places of historic and cultural interest as well as enjoy London, Bicester Village shopping centre and evening social events at local country manors.

College Life

The course takes place on the campuses of Ballliol College, University Of Oxford. Single rooms on the campus are provided. The rooms are within walking distance of the teaching rooms, dining hall and computer room. Male and female students are separated by corridors and/or staircases. The course includes breakfast and dinner in college dining hall, with packed lunches available during coach excursions. Lunch is not included but Oxford is scattered with cheap and healthy locations to buy lunch. 

Our Staff and Students

Our teachers come from a variety of different backgrounds. Some are teaching or have taught for the University of Oxford and some are well-established specialist tutors. Our experienced and friendly faculty offers our students a diverse range of teaching specialties and skills. Our alumni students have rated the teaching as one of the best aspects of their experiences in Oxford, many scoring their classes a perfect 10. For a full list of ORA 2011 teaching staff please see the PDF attached to the bottom of this page.

In the College itself students are overseen by the Programme Director, who implements the day-to-day running of the programme. The Director is assisted by a team of Counsellors who very often are current members of the University of Oxford.

The Counsellors ensure that students are looked after pastorally, culturally and socially during their programme. Students are able to talk informally and frankly to the Counsellors in order to raise concerns or to discuss university applications.

In terms of the demographics of the attendance of the programme, students come to ORA from all over the world. Studying alongside students from diverse backgrounds and learning more about different experiences, ambitions and cultures is a central part of the ORA experience.

To see more detailed information about the nationalities of our students click here.

Dates, Fees and Location

For more courses in July see also: Cambridge Enterprise Programme

Useful Information

• Note that arrival day is always a Sunday and departure day is always a Saturday.
• On arrival day, students will be able to check in to their rooms after 12 midday.
• There is a welcome reception for students, friends and family at 5pm in the College grounds.
• On the departure day students need to check out of their rooms after breakfast at around 10am.
• Please note that Oxford Royale Academy does offer an airport transfer option that you can book separately. Click here for details
• Useful Information

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply:

 1. Apply Online
Click APPLY NOW

 2. Send in a paper application by Post or Fax
Application Form: Click here to go to the application page or use the attachment below.
Address: Oxford Royale Academy, St. Catherine's College, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UJ, UK
Fax Number: +44 (0) 845 280 01 22

Procedure

You may choose to pay either the full course fee upon booking, or pay a deposit of £495 upon booking and pay the remaining balance 60 days before arrival in Oxford. As soon as the application form has been received with payment, a confirmation will be sent out to you along with further welcome pack materials.