Law
WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL LAW?
Law is a dynamic and exciting subject that has broad applicability to a range of careers and study options. It allows you to understand the world around you from different perspectives and consider how the law affects real life.
Debates, mock trials and group discussions form an essential part of the course. The department has strong links with local and national firms of solicitors, barristers and other legal professions and have arranged an excellent programme of careers insight talks. Opportunities for work placements and apprentices are sometimes passed on to us by these firms and we advertise these within the College. We offer an additional study “lawyers” group and students have participated in national competitions such as the Bar Mock Trial competition and The Legal Apprentice, organised by Kingsley Napley.
Law complements many other subjects at A Level and goes particularly well with Politics. A Level Law is assessed by examination at the end of the two years of study.
COURSE CONTENT
The first year of the course includes the study of law making and the English legal system and one area of private law – tort law. Following the formal late spring assessment, students will commence study of criminal law, which will continue into year 2.
PROGRESSION ONTO YEAR 2
Progression to the second year of this A Level course will be dependent on having made satisfactory progress in the first year of the course, including achieving at least an E grade in a formal late spring assessment, as well as the maintenance of a good level of attendance and commitment throughout the year.
Legal skills are an intrinsic part of the specification.
FINAL ASSESSMENT AT END OF YEAR 2
A Level Law is assessed by examination at the end of the two years of study. There is no coursework involved in this syllabus.
MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA
Standard College entry requirements and a minimum of:
| Grade required | Subject required |
|---|---|
|
Grade 5 |
GCSE English Language or English Literature |
| and | |
| Grade 5 | In at least one predominantly written based GCSE subject (from English Language, English Literature, History, Religious Studies or Sociology) |
The course requires essay writing skills and a high level of comprehension. No prior knowledge of law is required.
WHAT CAN I DO AFTER STUDYING A LEVEL LAW?
The course will develop understanding of a range of legal principles and is a useful introduction for students considering careers in law (barrister, solicitor, police and court services) it also helps to develop a range of analytical skills that would be transferable to other careers.
DO I NEED TO STUDY A LEVEL LAW TO STUDY LAW AT UNIVERSITY?
As with all your A Level choices you should choose subjects you think you will enjoy and play to your strengths. You don’t need to study A Level Law to study Law at university, but the course does offer a good opportunity to try the subject out and build a good foundation for future study. It will also be a useful qualification if you are planning to pursue a range of other subjects at university or to search for an apprenticeship or other training opportunity.
FURTHER INFORMATION
All students are provided with comprehensive handouts and online resource banks. The department subscribes to the “Student Law Review” which deals with aspects of the syllabus and gives very up-to-date legal information.