Law A-level

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What do Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Barack Obama and Mahatma Gandhi have in common? Interestingly, they are world leaders who studied Law. For some, to study law is to uphold justice, a noble call that is most commendable. Law is not just for lawyers or in the courtroom as it affects all aspects of society; from the protection of life and liberty to corporate or international relations. Law students are capable of doing many important roles in a variety of professions.

What will I study in Law A-level?

The new Law syllabus has been designed to make progression to a Law degree more straightforward by mirroring some of the topics that are essential for undergraduate study. The A-Level is broken down into three key areas:

Law 01 - Focusing on the legal system and criminal law
Law 02 - Focusing on law making and the law of tort
Law 04 - Focusing on the nature of law and the law of contract

During your studies of the legal system and law making you will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and people involved in the law and the changing nature of the legal system.

Criminal law will involve the rules and general elements of a crime and provides an introduction to criminal liability through the study of offences against the person, such as GBH and murder, and offences against property including theft, robbery and burglary. You will develop your knowledge and skills to apply your legal knowledge to scenario-based situations and gain a critical awareness of the present state of criminal law.

The law of tort is much the same but looking at individuals being sued for their actions for tortious liability in negligence, occupiers' liability and nuisances. Here, we look at individuals being sued rather than facing state sanctions.

The law of contract will focus on the central elements of contract law from the formation of contracts to terms within them, how contracts can be set aside due to misrepresentation and how a contract comes to an end. Here, we will also look at how individuals are sued for a breach of contract.

Through the Law A-Level, we will also undertake the study of the nature of law. You will explore this in a wider context and develop your understanding of how the law interacts with society, morality and justice.

Entry Requirements

At least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above all from the basket subjects, including English Language and Maths. It is recommended that students have a higher grade in English, as this course requires a lot of reading and written essays, so a good command of the English Language is needed.

How will I learn?

You will learn via a variety of different methods. Anything from Q&A, research tasks and case studies covering issues of different areas of law, to mock trials that we will host in the classroom to argue the liability of the defendant. Each topic in Law is accompanied by work-packs created by the Law team with past questions books and a variety of resources to help you with the course. You will be assessed throughout the course with a mixture of case tests, essays and legal scenarios.

How will I be assessed?

You are assessed by three examinations at the end of two years of study. This will be spread across the three main areas of criminal, tort and contract law.

Each exam is 2 hours long.

You will be assessed throughout the course with a mixture of case tests, essays and legal scenarios to help you prepare for the exams and thorough feedback is given to help you improve on your performance in the subject.

Any trips?

Yes, there are a number of trips on A-Level Law. We will visit Bristol Crown Court where you will be able to sit in the public gallery and watch trials unfold. Our students have seen trials in the past on a variety of legal matters including theft, drugs, murder, GBH, the sentencing of defendants and so much more. This really allows them to see the theory they learn in the classroom play out in real-life cases in the courtroom.

We have also visited the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court. Our students have taken part in debates within Parliament, a Q&A session with their local MP and a tour of the Palace of Westminster. Students also have the opportunity to observe legal issues being heard in the Supreme Court and have a tour of the Supreme Court, including visiting their gallery. This supplements the students learning of Law Making within the syllabus.

In addition to this, every year we invite 'Life Behind Bars' to visit the College where they host a day event, bringing with them five ex-convicts and a psychologist to talk about the crimes they have committed and their experiences in prison. This helps students with the legal system part of the course, bringing theory to life.

We have also held Law conferences at the College, inviting industry professionals such as members of the Law Society, solicitors and barristers who discussed their roles and skills needed for the profession and conducted a Q&A session with students.

Are there any costs involved?

We ask students to purchase work-packs and past questions books we have created which contain the relevant content to be studied for each topic. Additional costs would be for trips that you may wish to attend or purchasing key textbooks/revision guides.

FAQs

Do I need A-Level Law to become a Lawyer or to study Law at university?

No, entry to a degree in Law will require any three academic A-Levels. While many universities do not require Law as an A-Level for studying a Law degree, it is however, very beneficial. It shows a genuine interest in the subject and that you have a working understanding of the legal system and current affairs. Year after year, students return to tell us how valuable their A-Level in Law was to their study of Law at the undergraduate level.

The new specification has been designed with input from leading universities and academics, and has been altered to mirror the degree more closely; this will serve you well when studying a Law degree as you will have a solid understanding of three of the core modules before you even arrive in Higher Education.

If you do not wish to study Law at HE, it is still an engaging subject and an academic A-Level which prepares you very well for the demands of studying any other degree.

Is the Law A-Level difficult?

It is no harder than any other A-Level. You will find some elements more difficult than others but the simple answer is that as long as you attend, work at it and listen to your lecturers, you will not only enjoy this subject, but you will achieve the grade you deserve. You are expected to complete essays, answer legal scenarios and recall case law regularly through the academic years, so an ability to stay on top of work and submit work regularly is needed.

Should I have Law-related work experience?

It is a good idea if you are considering taking Law at degree level – many universities look at work experience favourably. Attending trips and visiting the local courts can help too.

Do I need GCSE Law to study A-Level Law?

No, we know that many schools in this area do not offer Law at GCSE. As such, the A-Level syllabus is designed to start at the 'beginning' to give you a foundation in understanding the legal world.

It would be good to have knowledge of current affairs/current news. This is because, in all of the areas of law that you will study, there is a high likelihood of real life cases or news unfolding on the matter at the time that you study it. This makes your study of Law real, relatable and relevant!

Is there additional support available to help me achieve the grade I want?

Yes. We see you 4.5 hours a week as class contact time. However, the Law Team always find time to set aside for Law Booster sessions that you can attend for any 1:1 support, advice or guidance.