Law @ Clare, Cambridge in 2017

Interview format

2x interviews (30 mins each), 1x test

Interview content

First interview: explaining principles, hypotheticals; Second interview: problem question; Test: outcomes of cases

Best preparation

Researching interviewer specialisms

Final thoughts

Focus on intellecutal ability only

Remember this advice isn't official. There is no guarantee it will reflect your experience because university applications can change between years. Check the official Cambridge and Oxford websites for more accurate information on this year's application format and the required tests.

Also, someone else's experience may not reflect your own. Most interviews are more like conversations than tests and like, any conversation, they are quite interactive.

Interview Format

2 interviews, and the Cambridge Law Test. First interview had two interviewers, they gave the interviewees a problem sheet which contained a problem question / fact pattern. Both interviews were 30 minutes, the interviews were on two different days, so I was offered accommodation to stay in (which was really nice considering I was an international student). A 2nd year showed me to my room and was really friendly. The porters were also really helpful, the college also provided free food in the buttery during the entire interview process.

The first interview was with 2 college law fellows, whereas the second interview was with 2 other law fellows (but they weren't as crucial to the interviewing stage — that is to say they did not have much of a word in deciding who to give an offer to). After the interviews, I had a written test, and they had multiple slots in which you can join.

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

The first interview was pretty straightforward. I was given a section on Contract law principles, and then I was asked to explain in my own words what concepts meant. I would explain the principles with examples and talk them through my thought process on what I thought was meant. If not, the professor would give me a hypothetical situation in which I would have to determine whether or not that would be allowed. So this first part really highlighted reading comprehension skills under pressure. The 2nd part of the interview, if you still have time. The professor would give you a hypothetical situation and ask you about the implications of certain actions (in my case to do with theft).

For the second interview I was given a fact pattern / problem question about occupiers liability, and we discussed the implications of the passage.

Cambridge Law Test - gave us a case and asked us to decide how the case should be decided and explain the judge's reasonings.

How did you prepare?

Looked at the college law fellows and see what field they are particularly good in, and read a little bit about that field.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your past self?

Clare College interviews do not seem to focus a lot on your personal statement or CV, but more on your intellectual ability.