We know how. Do you? If not, keep reading.
Oxbridge law interviews are notoriously challenging — designed to probe beyond knowledge, testing your reasoning, adaptability, and composure under pressure. But with the right prep, you’ll be ready to tackle anything they throw at you.
This guide covers everything you need to excel, from typical question types to the power of mock interviews and resources that will help you prepare with confidence.
Understanding the process
Typically, you'll have two interviews of 20-30 minutes with different interviewers, each one designed to explore your critical thinking and adaptability as well as specific legal knowledge.
The structure of one interview will usually look something like this:
Introduction
Your tutors will introduce themselves and might ask you some brief questions about yourself, like your interests and hobbies, or where you live. This is supposed to make you feel more at ease, so lean into it and try to establish an easy rapport with your tutors. Even better if you can find some common ground!
Academic questions
Your tutors will ask you a series of questions about your subject to gauge how interested and knowledgeable you are in it. Keep reading for real-life examples of questions tutors have asked in the past...
Follow up questions
Tutors will usually riff off of what you give them, and will aim to create a discussion around a topic rather than reel off a list of questions. Remember that they are looking to push your thinking further.
Check out our detailed guide to Oxbridge interviews for more information on the general structure and tips to prepare.
Types of questions
Now that you understand the interview format, let’s look at the types of questions you’ll encounter.
You will likely come across moral or hypothetical dilemmas, meant to reveal your perspective on justice, fairness, and ethical reasoning, like:
"If the legal punishment for parking on double yellow lines was death, and therefore nobody did it, would that be a just and effective law?"
You can check out an Oxford professor's guide to answering this question, if you're interested.
You might be asked an interpretative question, like:
"How would you argue both for and against a hypothetical law banning smoking in public spaces?"
These questions are designed to test your approach to challenges or dilemmas, where you’ll need to demonstrate clear reasoning and the ability to think beyond surface-level answers.
You might be asked how you would handle a legal situation. For example, tutors might give you a statute to read and give you a series of scenarios to apply it to. Try to use specific words from the statute or any piece of writing the tutors give you, because they want to see that you're learning from given information.
"In my second interview I was given a summary and outline of a case, and was asked questions about it and about my approach. I would definitely recommend thinking out loud; they want to hear your though process." - Arya Arun, Oxford Law
Practise questions
To get yourself thinking, have a look at some of these real-life examples. Try to work out what kind of question they are, and go from there:
"What is the difference between killing and letting die?"
"Is democracy always the best form of government?"
"Should the age of criminal responsibility be lowered or raised?"
"If a self-driving car must choose between harming its passenger or a pedestrian, what should it do?"
"What makes a punishment fair or unfair?"
"Is it better for ten guilty people to go free than for one innocent person to be punished?"
"Is it possible to have absolute freedom?"
"Should companies be responsible for the actions of their employees outside of work?"
The myth of the 'right' answer
It's more about the 'how' and 'why' than the answer itself. Tutors are looking for potential and evidence of your logical thinking process, not necessarily a 'correct' answer, especially in hypothetical ethical or moral questions.
Being honest about your thought process — even if you’re unsure — can work to your advantage. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can navigate ambiguity and engage in a genuine exchange of ideas, making the interview feel less like an interrogation and more like an intellectual dialogue.
There is, as is often the case, a balance to be struck: don't be afraid of being wrong, but equally make sure to demonstrate clear reasoning and a well-structured argument. Try not to flounder in the uncertainty of "I don't know." Give it a go, and show off your critical thinking skills.
Mock interviews
We cannot stress enough the importance of mock interviews. They help you understand the structure and reasoning of an Oxbridge interview, but more importantly, they provide you with invaluable feedback. You can book a series of four mock interviews with a number of tutors, some you have met before, some you have not, so that you are excellently prepared for this final stage of the process.
Stay up to date
Try to read as much as you can around recent legal events — news articles, trends and big news in the legal world. You can mention your knowledge in passing to demonstrate your interest, particularly if it is relevant to your argument.
Some of the best sites for this include:
Be prepared to be asked further about anything you mention, so make sure to know it well.
Useful online resources
There's more than just newsletters on the magical internet. There are loads of great resources to help you get to grips with a law interview, like this Oxford University law interview from the Oxford Law Faculty YouTube account.
The Lawyer Portal is excellent for tailored Oxbridge law preparation, offering interview tips, guides, and practice questions to build your confidence.
Cambridge Law Test Past Papers are great for practicing the analytical thinking required in Oxbridge interviews.
Listening to the BBC’s Law in Action podcast can enrich your understanding of contemporary legal debates, providing discussion points and insights relevant to law interviews.
Law makes for a really versatile degree to choose, and an Oxbridge interview is a chance to showcase your passion and intellectual curiosity. With Avalon, you can practice and refine your approach to feel calm and confident. Book an interview session with Avalon today, and let us help you turn the most nerve-wracking part of the process into your chance to shine!
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