LNAT for Oxford University BA (Hons) Jurisprudence Law admissions 2025 and 2026

Oxford University is one of the oldest and most renowned educational institutions in the world. This is evidenced by the national and international popularity of Oxford University’s undergraduate programmes in Law.

Given the large number of applicants every year, Oxford University uses the LNAT score as one of the shortlisting and selection parameters.

In addition to the UCAS form, all applicants for the BA (Hons) Jurisprudence Law programmes are required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) in the year you are applying.

Why does Oxford University use the LNAT 2025?

Applicants from different backgrounds apply for the Law programmes at Oxford. The LNAT is used as a common test for all, since it is subject agnostic and does not require any prior knowledge or external information – which means that everybody sitting the LNAT will start from an equal level.

The LNAT is designed to test your aptitude for studying Law rather than your knowledge of any subject. The test will help Oxford University to assess your verbal reasoning, ability to interpret and communicate information, and decision-making skills.

The LNAT essay questions test your ability to argue efficiently and to come to a conclusion.

The LNAT results are used both when shortlisting and when making the final admissions decisions.

Oxford University BA (Hons) Jurisprudence Law Admission Statistics

In the 2024 admissions round (for entry in 2025), 2061 applications were received, and 247 offers were made. (Another four deferred offers were made for entry in 2026.)

This translates to 8.73 applicants per offer.

Of the 2061 applications, 641 candidates were called for the interview. Which means that 2.59 applicants were interviewed per offer.

Does Oxford University use the LNAT essay?

Yes. Oxford University uses both sections A and B in the selections process.

Section A – Multiple Choice Questions are marked by the LNAT system, whereas the LNAT essay is sent ‘as is’ to the Oxford Faculty Selection committee (FSC). All LNAT essays are marked centrally by the University.

The LNAT essay is marked using a ‘comparison marking system’ that anonymizes the essays and allows markers to compare two essays at a time, creating a numerical score.

LNAT scores of offered candidates at Oxford University BA (Hons) Jurisprudence Law

The LNAT is a very crucial component of the Oxford University Law admissions.

• Pre-shortlisting is done using contextual GCSE information (where available) and LNAT Multiple Choice and LNAT Essay scores
• The final offers decisions also take the LNAT scores into consideration

For 2024 application year (2025 entry) :

• LNAT MCT (Multiple choice – section A) is marked externally;
• LNAT essays(section B) are marked internally.
• Average LNAT MCT of all 2061 candidates was 24.5.
• Average LNAT MCT score of those shortlisted was 29.18.
• Average LNAT MCT score of those receiving an offer was 30.96.
• Average LNAT essay of all candidates was 62.75.
• Average Essay mark of those shortlisted was 64.53.
• Average Essay mark of those receiving an offer was 65.41

When should you take the LNAT for Oxford Law Admission?

You should refer to the following sources for the dates and deadlines for taking your LNAT:

• The LNAT website Dates and Deadlines page
• The UCAS website

Ideally, you should register for and take the LNAT at the earliest to ensure center availability and avoid any logistical issues.

Explanation of the Oxford admissions process

LNAT 2025 scores and contextualized GCSE data (for applicants who will have taken GCSEs) will be combined to generate an initial ranking. This ranking will then be utilized to assist in creating a shortlist of candidates, with those higher in the ranking having a better chance of being shortlisted for an interview. Conversely, candidates lower in the ranking will be less likely to be shortlisted, unless there are extenuating circumstances or contextual details indicating that their scores may not accurately represent their potential.

A faculty selection panel will review all candidates. At this stage, some candidates may be reassigned to another college to maintain a roughly equal ratio of shortlisted applicants per available spot at each institution.

Applicants must provide evidence of substantive academic achievement to date (in addition to the LNAT). Offers cannot be made based solely on predictions of future grades and achievements.

Successful applicants for undergraduate law programs exhibit the following qualities, and the admissions process aims to identify those who possess them to the greatest extent:

• Application: Demonstrates motivation and capacity for sustained and intense work.
• Reasoning Ability: Shows proficiency in analyzing and solving problems using logical and critical approaches, drawing fine distinctions, separating relevant from irrelevant information, accurate and critical observation, sustained and cogent argumentation, creativity, flexibility of thought, and lateral thinking.
• Communication: Exhibits a willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively, the ability to listen, and the ability to provide considered responses.

Throughout the admissions process, tutors evaluate a candidate’s potential as a future law student. This assessment relies on existing academic achievements (official examinations, predicted results, and school reports), as well as performance in written tests and interviews, as indicators of future potential.

For applicants whose first language is not English, proficiency in English is also a criterion for admission.

Candidates for Law with Law Studies in Europe who are applying for the French, German, Italian or Spanish law options will usually be given an oral test in the relevant European language at the time of interview.

It is important to note that existing knowledge of the law is not a criterion for admission.

Selection process

The selection process for law students at the University of Oxford involves a multi-stage process of shortlisting and interviews.

Shortlisting Process

The initial shortlisting of candidates is determined by a ranking system that equally weighs the following three components:

• Contextualised GCSE scores (where available)
• LNAT 2025 Multiple Choice Test (MCT) score
• LNAT 2025 essay score

The Faculty Selection Committee (FSC) then reviews this initial ranked list to account for any mitigating circumstances that might make the ranking not truly representative of a candidate’s potential.

Further consideration is given to candidates with exceptionally high LNAT scores and to those from deprived backgrounds who have excelled academically within their school environments.

Following this, colleges can select some of these shortlisted candidates for interviews and may also add a limited number of other candidates to the interview list.

Any shortlisted candidates not selected for an interview at their first-choice college are then redistributed among other colleges to ensure a fair opportunity for all.

Selection and Interview Process

Candidates who are shortlisted are invited for interviews.

1. First Interview: Most candidates will have two interviews, each lasting about 25 minutes, at their assigned college.
2. Second Interview: A number of candidates will be invited for a second interview at a different college. Priority for these second interviews is given to candidates from deprived backgrounds.

After the first round of interviews, candidates are re-ranked based on their contextualised GCSE scores, LNAT scores, and first interview performance. Colleges then make their final decisions.

The initial college (C1) has priority in offering a place to a candidate. Colleges are also encouraged to make offers to strong candidates who may not have been interviewed by them, based on a centrally circulated list.

The final assessment of interviewed candidates for Law at Keble College og Oxford University is a comprehensive evaluation based on three key elements:

1. UCAS Form: All the information provided in the application.
2. LNAT Score: The candidate’s performance in the Law National Aptitude Test.
3. Interviews: Two 20-minute interviews that present candidates with scenarios designed to test their reasoning and analytical skills, without requiring any prior legal knowledge.

The admissions process at Keble prioritizes academic merit and a student’s potential to succeed in the demanding law program.

Strong candidates are those who can thoughtfully analyze complex problems and articulate clear, well-reasoned arguments.

In contrast, weaker candidates often struggle to justify their positions or address counterarguments effectively.

Extra-curricular activities are given little to no weight in the final decision.

The college seeks to admit exceptionally bright, motivated, and intellectually curious individuals.

Sources for statistical data and references:

• https://www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Law-Admissions-Report-2024-25.pdf
• https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Law-Report-on-the-2023-admissions-round.pdf
• https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-selection-criteria
• https://www.mansfield.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Law-Admissions-Feedback-2024-25.pdf