Oxford University vs Harvard University (Law): Check departments, admission process, extracurricular groups and more (2024)

(In this ‘versus’ series by The Indian Express, we compare premier foreign colleges or universities and the prominent courses that they offer. You can read the stories here.)

The University of Oxford and Harvard University are among the best universities in the world. They have consistently ranked among the top 10 institutes in the global rankings. According to the world university rank 2023, Oxford University ranked top and Harvard University ranked second in the list, whilst in the QS world university list Oxford University ranked fourth and Harvard University ranked fifth.

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Website

The University of Oxford — ox.ac.uk

Harvard University — harvard.edu

Law departments

Oxford University:

— Foundation Year in Law

— Law (Jurisprundence)

Harvard University:

— Juris Doctor (JD)

— Master of Laws (LLM)

— Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

— Current Opportunities

Admission process

Oxford University:

To apply to the University of Oxford, one has to submit an application to the common app called UCAS. It will require a personal statement where the applicant has to focus on the academic drive and achievements, in addition to their aims, hobbies, interests in extracurriculars. If you have done the International Baccalaureate (IB), you will be required to send your results. In general, a score of about 41/45 on the IB is required to receive an interview. You will also be required to take a timed written qualification exam for Oxford.

Requirements

If you have decided to apply to Oxford University, make sure you tick off the eligibility criteria. While the requirements may differ for different courses, make sure you meet these common points-

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— 10+2 qualification from a recognised institution.

— A valid English proficiency test score (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

— Letter of recommendations and statement of purpose

— SAT/ACT score, if applying for bachelor’s

— GRE/GMAT scores for applying to master’s degres

Harvard University:

Step 1: Choose a programme.

Step 2: Make a note of the application deadline. Application deadlines vary by programme.

Step 3: Review the standardised tests requirements.

Step 4: Complete your application before the deadline.

Requirements

All first-year applicants, both international and US candidates, must complete the common application or apply to coalition along with the required supplements. You will need to submit:

— Common application or apply coalition

— Harvard college questions for the common application or coalition application Harvard supplement.

— $85 fee (or request a fee waiver)

— SAT or ACT (with or without writing) test- optional for 2022-2026 application cycles.

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— AP or other examination results are not required, but may be submitted.

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— School Report (which includes a counselor letter) and high school transcript.

— Midyear school report (after your first semester grades).

— Final school report (for admitted students only).

Tuition fees

Oxford: The course fees paid by matriculated students are for the provision of tuition, supervision, academic services, and facilities by the university (including your department or faculty) and the colleges, but do not include residential or other living costs.

If you are a Home student undertaking your first undergraduate degree, the course fee for 2023 will be £9,250. Home students can access a tuition fee loan from the UK government for the full amount of their course fee and do not need to pay any fees upfront.

If you are not classified as a ‘Home’ student you will be classed as an ‘Overseas’ student and you should be aware that you will not be eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK government. If you are an overseas student, you will be charged a significantly higher level of the course fee, which will vary according to your programme of study.

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Harvard: Tuition and fee costs are subject to change and are determined each year. Please be aware that future tuition costs, fees, and standard student budget amounts may differ from year to year. For full-time students, it is $54,768 per year and for part-time students, it is $27,384 per year along with an additional student activity fee of $75 and a Health Insurance fee of $5,384 per year.

Scholarships

Oxford University:There are several scholarships available for international students at this varsity. Interested applicants would have to visit this link — ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/fees-funding-and-scholarships/search — to get details about eligibility, benefits of the scholarship, terms and conditions, application process, interview details and more.

Harvard University: The varsity offers scholarships and grants for different programmes and levels of study. To check scholarships, candidates have to visit the official website.

Extracurricular activities

Oxford University: There are over 400 clubs and societies at the University of Oxford which cover a wide variety of interests that you may wish to join. With more than 200 officially recognised societies listed in the University registered non-sports clubs and societies, there is something for everybody.

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Oxford has 83 University sports clubs, as well as countless college teams and recreational opportunities. Many colleges have their own pitches and facilities, while Oxford University Sport on Iffley Road offers a swimming pool, gym, sports hall, racket sport courts and more. It is also home to the running track.

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However, if you think that there is a gap to be filled, you can set up your own student society.

Harvard University: Harvard athletics offers forty-two Division I intercollegiate varsity teams for women and men — more than any other Division I college — as well as numerous club and intramural sports and recreational activities.

The varsity’s teams include baseball, basketball, crew, cross-country, fencing, field hockey, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, sailing, skiing, soccer, softball, squash, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, wrestling. Club teams include aikido, archery, badminton, ballroom dance, basketball, bodybuilding, bowling, boxing, cheerleading, cycling, fencing, figure skating, hapkido, juggling, jujitsu, kendo, lacrosse, polo, rugby, Shaolin kempo, Shotokan karate, skiing, soccer, table tennis, tae kwon do, tai chi/kung fu, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and wushu.

Oxford University vs Harvard University (Law): Check departments, admission process, extracurricular groups and more (2024)

FAQs

Which is better Harvard law or Oxford law? ›

Harvard University in the US takes first place, followed by Stanford University. A fifth of the universities in the law ranking are located in the US. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are the only UK universities in the top 10. There are 53 UK universities in the ranking in total.

What is the difference between Harvard and Oxford University? ›

Harvard University offers its students more than 3,700 undergraduate courses over 50 fields of study, eleven schools and multiple allied institutions, while Oxford University offers 39 colleges for various areas of specialization. Almost all the courses on offer are amongst the best in the world.

Does Oxford look for extracurriculars? ›

There's a myth that Oxford is looking for the most well-rounded applicants, and that you will only be offered a place if you have a long list of varied extra-curricular activities. In fact, extra-curricular activities are only helpful in so far as they demonstrate the selection criteria for your course.

What is needed for students that want to study at universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, or MIT? ›

Academic Excellence is Paramount:

Aspiring students should aim for consistent excellence in their coursework, maintaining high grades and embracing challenging subjects. Additionally, standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are often prerequisites for admission.

What is the #1 law school in the US? ›

1) Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

SLS students often build their own joint-degree programs as they take courses across campus, and they have access to unique interest areas such as American Indian & Indigenous Law and International & Comparative Law.

Is it easier to get into Oxford or Harvard? ›

Which University is harder to get into Harvard or Oxford? Oxford University has an acceptance rate of around 17% which is considered relatively good in comparison to Harvard University's low 5% acceptance rate, which makes Oxford easier to get into.

Is Oxford or Harvard more prestigious? ›

They have consistently ranked among the top 10 institutes in the global rankings. According to the world university rank 2023, Oxford University ranked top and Harvard University ranked second in the list, whilst in the QS world university list Oxford University ranked fourth and Harvard University ranked fifth.

Is Oxford like an Ivy League? ›

Despite its fame and reputation, Oxford University, located in the U.K., is not counted as an Ivy League university. The top eight schools in the USA are collectively known as the Ivy League. Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Pennsylvania, Cornell, Harvard, and Yale make up the Ivy League.

Is Oxford or Harvard cheaper? ›

The average cost for a degree at Harvard University is about 221,000 USD, which is over 2.4 times the salary of someone who makes 91,000 USD annually. This means that it will take 2.4 years, or 4 semesters following graduation, to break even. The average cost of a degree from Oxford University is about 173,000 USD.

Does Harvard check extracurriculars? ›

Extracurricular activities are actually a very important part of getting into Harvard. Admissions officers are looking for students who thrive both in and out of the classroom.

What extracurricular activities look good for Oxford University? ›

Examples of extracurricular activities you could try are:
  • Join a sports club.
  • Attend dance classes.
  • Reading about your subject, or anything that interests you.
  • Blog writing, story writing or journalist writing.
  • Learn a musical instrument.
  • Travelling.
  • Getting a part time job or work experience.
  • Learn a new craft.

What extracurriculars does Harvard like? ›

Student Organizations
  • Music. Join an orchestra, chamber music ensemble, jazz combo, concert band, choral group, gospel choir, or glee club.
  • Visual Arts. ...
  • Media and journalism. ...
  • Public Service. ...
  • International and multicultural. ...
  • Drama and dance. ...
  • Political and pre-professional. ...
  • Faith, identity, and culture.
May 3, 2024

What GPA does Oxford want? ›

Undergraduate qualifications

If your graduate course at Oxford requires a 'first-class undergraduate degree with honours' in the UK system, you will usually need a bachelor's degree with an overall grade of Class 1, 'A' or 80%, or a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0.

Why is MIT not Ivy League? ›

The term 'Ivy League' has since become synonymous with academic prestige and elite universities in the United States. While MIT is indeed a highly prestigious institution, it is not part of the Ivy League because it's not in the Division I athletic conference with those other schools.

What is the easiest subject to get into Oxford? ›

The easiest subject to get into Oxbridge is Chemistry, Classics, Human Sciences, Modern Languages and Linguistics.

How prestigious is Oxford Law? ›

As an aspiring lawyer, the decision to pursue your legal education at Oxford is an incredibly wise and impactful choice. The University of Oxford is renowned for its prestigious law program, and the benefits of studying law at this institution are endless.

How good is Oxford for law? ›

The Oxford law and Cambridge law faculties are highly regarded across the legal profession.

Is Harvard better than Oxford for medicine? ›

If you aim to become a practising medic, then Oxford or Cambridge are better if you want to work in the UK, and Harvard is better if you want to work in the US. They have radically different qualification routes, and the university degrees form a part of the professional qualification process.

Does Oxford University have a good law program? ›

We are one of the top law schools in the world. Our courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level build your understanding of legal reasoning, enable you to critically analyse legal situations, and encourage you to confidently present and debate your interpretations.

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