News from the Department of Laws

Undertaking a Law Degree - Advice from Dr Peter Jepson ...

Certain "prestigious" Universities require that students who wish to undertake a Law Degree (LL.B) must first sit a 'National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)'. It seems likely that these law admissions tests - for entry to University in 2008 - will be held between September 2007 and the end of the UCAS admissions cycle (it is expected that it will be possible to take an LNAT test within a few days of booking one online). The LNAT test, which is likely to take place at a computer terminal at one of a large number of test centres. This test (which is likely to consist of 30 multi-choice questions - with a 500-600 short essay) is in addition to the usual requirement for good quality 'A' Levels (the usual requirement for 'prestigious' Universities is three A's at A-Level and one AS - but this can vary for each establishment) There are sample examination test papers online at http://www.lnat.ac.uk/.

The Universities which can be expected to require the 'National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)' for entry in 2006 are Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Glasgow, King's College London, Nottingham, Oxford, and University College London (UCL). Any Strode's students who to apply to any of these Universities to study for a law degree should register (and pay) - by visiting http://www.lnat.ac.uk/

At the moment these are the ONLY Universities which are likely to require an additional entrance examination for Law. Entrance to all other Universities should be based upon the normal AS/A2 level criteria and requirements will vary for each establishment.

My advice is that students who wish to undertake law at University should not be put off by entry examination requirements. Indeed, in recent years our students have done very well in the LNAT test. This is because Strode's College Law students are trained to develop legally based intellectual and analytical skills and for this reason I welcome these tests, since it provides our students with an opportunity to demonstrate the excellence of our legal training. Logically, those students who can be expected to obtain the requisite three A's at A-Level should feel confident about including a 'prestigious' university in any UCAS application (in applying via UCAS all students are advised to choose a range of Universities - with reserve preferences just in case there is a problem with anticipated grades). Any UCAS statements/references should accurately reflect anticipated grades and make a clear reference to analytical skills.

When Strode's law students arrive at University to study law they know the basics of the subject and the legal methodology required. This gives them a distinct advantage over other students who have not previously undertaken law (i.e. the majority of students). I believe Strode's law students will also have an advantage when it comes to taking an admissions test for law.

I would be glad to talk to any student who wishes to apply to a University to study Law. This especially applies to those students who wish to apply to the 'prestigious' Universities.

Please visit http://www.lnat.ac.uk/ for details of a practice test - also see the below links ...

Sample tests - visit: http://www.cataga.co.uk/CracktheLNAT.htm

Law Admissions - The Times 3rd Feb 2004 - Sample test

Dr Peter Jepson has a textbook called '(LNAT) Mastering the National Admissions Test for Law' written by Mark Shepherd and published by Cavendish (Strode's Library also have a copy and similar books are available from amazon.co.uk).

Dr Peter Jepson

13th August 2007.

PS. I have discussed admissions issues, and criteria, with Mr Rodney Austin (Laws Admissions Officer at UCL). It was at UCL where I obtained my Law Degree's (and PhD) and also Lectured/Tutored in Law.