Celebrating Success: Ryan Fincham

We continue our celebrating success series with Pembroke student Ryan Fincham (2018, Jurisprudence) who has won three University of Oxford prizes for his outstanding performance in Finals. Ryan won the Law Faculty Prize for best performance in the Personal Property paper, and the Slaughter and May Prize for best performance in the History of English Law paper. Ryan was also awarded the Martin Wronker Prize for placing first in his cohort across the entire University. Many congratulations!

We asked Ryan to share his experience studying Law at Oxford, and advice for future applicants:

“The law degree at Oxford is intellectually demanding and covers a range of legal concepts and issues, from legal philosophy to land registration, in remarkable depth. It requires critical thinking, conceptual engagement, and the ability to write concisely while effectively communicating your ideas and bringing your own perspective to contested legal problems. The excellent tutors at Pembroke helped me develop and refine these skills during my time here, and this was reflected in the improvements I was able to make on my first-year examinations by the time finals came around. At university level, the teaching is unrivalled; many of my lecturers and tutors wrote the leading textbooks in their fields.

Beyond academics, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in so many other elements of university life. A particular highlight was serving on Pembroke’s 2019 Ball Committee. To see months of work culminate in a successful event enjoyed by all members of the college - students, tutors and staff alike - was immensely rewarding, and the experience taught me so many invaluable skills. I also served as Men’s Captain of Oxford University Amateur Boxing Club and was fortunate enough to compete for Oxford in the ring – another phenomenal experience that I never imagined I could achieve at university.

My advice to prospective applicants is simple: don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t achieve. If you’re curious about law, enjoy tackling tricky moral issues, and like to argue for your own opinions, then apply; you can succeed here.”