Jake
Jake read for a BA in Law with German Law at Magdalen before being awarded the Feltham Scholarship, which allowed him to study for the graduate Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree. He will undertake his pupillage at the Commercial Bar next year. He also gives tutorials in Criminal Law and Contract Law at Magdalen.
In Law, I found a fascinating subject that I have pursued on to graduate level, and further as a career. What I find particularly interesting about studying Law is that everyone must work from the sources, so although there is not one right answer, there is also not an intimidatingly infinite subject matter for debate. I also enjoy the challenge of balancing complex linguistic or logical arguments with social, economic, or historical considerations, as well as seeing how the law changes human or corporate behaviour. Like cricket, it is not (just) the rules that are interesting, but how they make people play the game!
What makes Magdalen special for Law students is its formidable reputation and storied history in the subject. We are so fortunate to have our own library to bounce ideas off one another, world-renowned Fellows who do the majority of the teaching themselves, and an outstandingly generous community of illustrious alumni who are always willing to lend a hand in nurturing the next generation of legal minds.
Alongside the aforementioned community, I would have to say my favourite thing about Magdalen is the architecture and grounds. Over five years at Magdalen have not worn away that magical feeling of the College which first hit me when I came for an Open Day!
The funding has made a huge difference to my time at Magdalen. It has relieved an immense financial burden from me and my family, meaning that I have not had to worry about going into debt, can focus on my studies without needing a part-time job, and can throw myself into all the extracurriculars which Oxford has to offer. To study without financial pressure for a world renowned, stimulating, and exciting degree is an immense privilege.
To the alumni who have supported the scholarship, thank you so much for your support. Although I could not begin to repay your immense kindness personally, receiving the scholarship has strengthened my sense of being part of a wider Magdalen community, which I will seek to give back to in any way I can in the future.
To alumni considering supporting scholarships at Magdalen, your support not only ensures that the ever-increasing postgraduate fees do not place Oxford’s world-class teaching outside the reach of many of the next generation’s students, but also ensures that they can enjoy the Oxford experience, which I’m sure you remember so fondly, to the fullest.