Using data to understand the Oxford Law student journey

What helps a talented student decide to apply to Oxford Law? How well does the admissions process identify academic potential? And once students arrive, what support helps them adjust to a distinctive and demanding way of studying?

These are some of the questions Dr Katerina Tkacova, the Faculty’s Inclusion Data Analyst, has been investigating over the past year. Her work is helping the Faculty of Law build a better understanding of students’ experiences from application through to their studies at Oxford – and where information and support could be strengthened.

Dr Tkacova, whose academic work combines visualisation techniques with GIS and other quantitative data analysis, has brought together evidence from different stages of the student journey. Rather than looking at admissions, academic performance or student support in isolation, the aim is to understand how they connect.

Looking beyond admission

An important part of Dr Tkacova’s work is helping the Faculty more accurately identify the strongest students, regardless of background, who are most likely to perform well on course. And through her research, the Faculty is also now able to investigate the periods both before and after that point. What encourages such students to apply in the first place, and what information do they have prior to application? Once on course, what factors allow their inherent strength to materialise, translating into the strong on-course performance predicted at the point of entry?

The work forms part of a wider programme of analysis covering admissions, access and outreach, and undergraduate academic experience. Over time, the ambition is to develop a more connected picture of the journey from considering Oxford and making an application through to studying here and moving into employment.

That matters because students do not all encounter the same opportunities or barriers at the same stage. Better evidence can help the Faculty understand where differences emerge and what questions need further investigation.

Adding students’ experiences to the evidence

This year, Dr Tkacova’s work has expanded beyond administrative and academic data to include students’ own perspectives.

A survey of undergraduate students studying Jurisprudence and Jurisprudence with Law in Europe during 2025/26 explored their experiences of access and outreach before applying, the admissions process, and academic and other support after arriving at Oxford. These findings will inform further work on how prospective students find information, which resources they trust, and where clearer guidance could make the application process easier to navigate.

Supporting the transition to Oxford

The research is also helping the Faculty look more closely at what happens after students arrive. Dr Tkacova’s work is increasingly concerned with connecting those questions across the student journey.

“Some students may need more tailored support to help them secure the employment they want and access the law firms they aspire to work for,” she said. 

“That support may need to begin much earlier, rather than only once they are on the course. Understanding where and when support is most effective could help inform not only access and outreach, but admissions and other areas of the student journey too.”

From evidence to action

The next stage is to continue building that evidence base and use it to evaluate where the Faculty can make the greatest difference.

Dr Tkacova is working with colleagues across admissions, undergraduate teaching, and access and outreach to understand existing provision more systematically. This includes examining how prospective applicants encounter Oxford Law online and how outreach and admissions information can respond to what pupils, schools and teachers need.

By connecting data with students’ own experiences, Dr Tkacova’s work is helping Oxford Law develop a more complete picture of the student journey – and a stronger evidence base for ensuring that talented students are identified, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.