Zenith Chan

Des Voeux Chambers Oxford Scholarship

Name: Zenith Chan         

College: Hertford College

Scholarship: Des Voeux Chambers BCL Scholarship

I graduated in 2013 from the University of Hong Kong with a BA in, among other things, Arabic. I then worked as a researcher for a Gulf state for several years before deciding to pursue a second career in law, a path that led eventually to the BCL.

What are your career ambitions?

I hope to practise at the Hong Kong Bar after completing my legal education.

What do you enjoy most about studying law in Oxford?

Definitely the people! The individual attention from leading academics is obviously a big part of the appeal of the law provision at Oxford, but equally important are the students that it draws. On the BCL, even small talk can morph into impassioned debates about obscure points of law, and for law students who find their intellectual curiosity unsatisfied by the undergraduate curriculum, the BCL is the perfect place to remedy that.

What do you find most challenging about your programme?

The workload is heavy and expectations are high: the BCL reading lists dwarf their undergraduate equivalents, and the depth of analysis required of students is significantly greater.

What do you find most rewarding about your programme?

The BCL has been academically as well as personally rewarding for me. From an academic perspective, it has been an opportunity to engage with the law at its cutting edge. On a personal level, the programme has led to many friendships that I am hopeful will last well beyond our time at Oxford.

What advice would you give to a new or prospective student?

Time management and good study habits are key to staying afloat, especially as exams approach. That said, in my experience the tutors and faculty staff are very generous with their time and advice, so I would definitely advise students to reach out for help should they need it.