Rakibul’s journey of law, leadership and Oxford

Rakibul Islam Bhuiyan, a Brac University School of Law (SoL) alumnus, became the first Bangladeshi to pursue the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) through the prestigious Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford. Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) is a graduate course in law for students from common law backgrounds.

Rakib was always fascinated by his grandfather and father’s passion to ensure justice. These shaped his ambition to pursue law as a purposeful journey, uniting intellectual curiosity with social responsibility. When choosing an institution to pursue his dreams, he chose SoL for its pioneering reputation and its exceptional faculty members. As a lawyer, he wishes to be the voice that helps people get the justice they seek. “Getting accepted to Oxford was surreal. Oxford has the timeless charm, the closest I will ever be to Hogwarts, only with more law books.” 

He achieved the highest-ever CGPA in the department’s history during his undergraduate studies. This was made possible by discipline, strategy, and consistency. From an early age, he was determined to study at the top university; he overcame the challenge of preparing for IELTS in just three months. His Oxford application stood out not only for his excellent academic performance but also for his balanced profile, which spanned research, working at Brac International, and volunteering work. Rakib also made history by leading the first-ever Bangladeshi team to qualify for the International rounds of the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition 2021 and also securing the top scorer. Along with his acceptance to Oxford, he also secured the Chevening Scholarship at the University of Cambridge. He says, “When you aim for the highest, success naturally finds you.”

For aspiring students wanting to study abroad, his advice is to start early planning through rigorous research and always aiming beyond the minimum requirements. “Just meeting the bare minimum is not enough. Time management and prioritization are essential.” He further emphasized, “If you do what you love, the struggle seems to vanish. We need hobbies and a strong support system to help us reach our fullest potential.”