Law

Entry requirements:

Six GCSEs 9-4, two from English, Maths OR Science

Two at least grade 6

Specific requirements for Law:
It is useful to have a grade 5 or above in GCSE English, but not essential.

Course details

A Level Law gives students an insight into the law of England and Wales, including the study of the legal system, how laws are made, criminal law (including murder and manslaughter), tort law (including negligence and nuisance), concepts of law and the law of human rights.

Component 1: H415/01 – The Legal System and Criminal Law

Percentage of total mark: 33.3%
Method of assessment: 2 hour written exam

Section A: The Legal System

This section focuses on the structure and function of civil and criminal courts, as well as alternative methods of dispute resolution. Students will learn about the work of professional lawyers and judges, and of lay people in the criminal justice system – magistrates and juries – as well as how access to justice is funded.

Component 2: H415/02 – Law Making and the Law of Tort

Percentage of total mark: 33.3%
Method of assessment: 2 hour written exam

Section A: The Law Making

This section focuses on the creation of law and the influences on Parliament in making new law, including pressure groups, public opinion and the media. The role of the Law Commission will be studied in the context of law reform, and students will learn how the law is interpreted and applied in the courts, and how that might create precedent, or ‘judge made law’.

Section B: The Law of Tort

In this part, students will be introduced to theory of tort (civil) law and negligence. This includes the potential liability of occupiers and employers, and the study of defences and remedies.

Component 3: H415/03 – Further Law

Percentage of total mark: 33.3%
Method of assessment: 2 hour written exam

Section A: The Nature of Law

This exploration of the law in a wider context considers the role of law in society, and the way in which the law seeks to balance conflicting interests. Students will use knowledge and understanding gained from all areas of the course to address such questions as whether the law always achieves justice, and to what extent it should enforce moral values. Students will study the response of the law to progress in technology and the challenges of privacy and data protection, as well as cross-border security and cyber-crime.

Section B: Human Rights

This special option involves the study of the nature and protection of human rights in the context of the UK constitution. Specific rights will be explored in detail, and how they may be enforced through the courts. For example, the right to freedom of expression will be examined, along with restrictions placed upon that right by laws on privacy, defamation and obscenity.

Skills

You will learn to “think like a lawyer” and apply legal rules to the facts. You will also develop your ability to critically analyse and evaluate legal concepts, institutions and processes.

Many of our A Level law students go on to study law at Russell Group Universities and to pursue careers in the legal profession as solicitors and barristers. Others go on to undertake legal apprenticeships or degrees in other social science subjects. Law is also a great A level to prepare students for a wide variety of careers including business, the civil service, local government, banking and finance.

Law is a fast changing subject which allows me to apply what I have learned to complex senarios

News

Law Department maintaining links with leading law firm