Director of Studies
Sub-Director of Studies
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There are no absolute requirements in terms of essential subjects or subject combinations for a successful application. However, it is advantageous for an applicant to be studying at least two of the following subjects, and to be predicted A* (or equivalent) in at least one of these: English Literature, History, Mathematics, Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Philosophy, Religious Studies, sciences (Biology, Chemistry or Physics), or languages. Students taking other possible subjects (including Archaeology, English Language, Environmental Science, Government and Politics, History of Art, Law, Music, Psychology or Sociology) should not be put off from applying; we have made offers to many students in the past who have applied with a subject from this list. Please note that while Law A-level is a helpful social science, it is quite different from the Law course at Cambridge.
All applicants for Law must take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). Further information is available here.
Our teaching Fellows in Law, great scholars in their fields, have expertise covering many Tripos subjects and a wealth of experience in how to study effectively. They also offer excellent advice about vacation placements, careers and postgraduate study.
Our Fellows’ teaching approach places a high value on the ability to analyse and think inventively about primary legal sources; students are encouraged to read widely and to think about legal problems from multiple angles.
On arrival at St John’s, you’ll receive a thorough grounding in the skills of legal reading, writing, argumentation and textual analysis, essential to making a great start as a legal scholar.
We admit 10-12 undergraduates each year to read Law, creating a large, fun and friendly community. Our student-led Winfield Society is one of the largest college law societies in Cambridge, organising events, an annual mooting competition and an annual dinner, where current students connect with our extensive network of distinguished alumni.
Glanville Williams QC FBA, arguably the greatest legal thinker of the 20th century, studied at St John’s. His ground-breaking publication Criminal Law: The General Part remains widely read and cited, but for new St John's lawyers their first encounter with Williams will be Learning the Law, a book he published in 1944 and the essential introductory text for legal students ever since.
Watch this video to learn more about studying Law at St John's.
We look for prospective students who are enthusiastic and self-motivated; students who can think creatively and pay attention to detail and who clearly have a genuine intellectual interest in and personal motivation for the academic study of law.
We accept candidates with a wide range of A-level subjects: they are equally capable of arguing logically, analysing written texts closely, making sound policy arguments, and articulating abstract concepts in a clear and understandable way. It is emphatically not necessary to be studying Law at A-level to make a successful application.
Successful applicants can demonstrate some understanding of the role of law and the legal system in society, and a real interest in legal issues. You can develop this by staying informed about current political developments with legal dimensions, whether in the UK or elsewhere. You could also pursue other law-related opportunities, for example following a law-related podcast, watching online legal proceedings or visiting a court. This will show your commitment to independent study and will also help you to decide that Law, and the kind of issues we discuss within it, is the right fit with your intellectual interests.
We do not expect you to have undertaken any legal work-experience before you apply.
We select the brightest and most committed students, so excellent examination results matter. Performing very well in school/college in your penultimate and final years allows your teachers to confirm in your UCAS reference that you are one of their very best students.
All applicants for Law are required to take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). Full details on how to register for the LNAT can be found on the LNAT website, along with some sample papers. It is a good idea to practice these papers before taking the Test.
