The examination is taken towards the end of the Easter Term, that is towards the end of May or the beginning of June. The Degree is awarded on the basis of an examination in which each candidate has to take four papers. The form of the examination is prescribed by the Faculty Board. The topic to be covered in the thesis must be approved by the Faculty, and the Faculty Board will not normally approve a topic which falls within the scope of any of the papers which the candidate is offering in the examination, nor will they normally approve a topic which does not fall within the scope of any of the other prescribed papers for that year. The basic method of instruction is the lecture, although some courses use a seminar approach, particularly where a small number of students is involved.
Some courses combine lectures and seminars.
It cannot be emphasised too much that students are expected to be able to work on their own. The courses offered for the examination may vary from year to year in the light of changes of Faculty policy or personnel. Applicants hoping to take particular courses are reminded that until that time there can be no certainty that those courses will be offered. Candidates are free to choose any four papers. Each year, certain papers are designated as papers in International Law, Commercial Law and European Law.