Course aims

To provide you with a broad appreciation and a general concept of law and its functions within society in the United Kingdom. The study of A level law will also develop your analytical, creative thinking and evaluative skills.

Entry requirements

You will require a grade 6 in English language or literature and in another humanities subject (e.g. history), in addition to the general entry requirements.

Course content

Component 1 – The legal system and criminal law

Section A: The legal system

This section focuses on the civil and criminal courts, the legal professions and access to justice. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and people involved in the law and the changing nature of the legal system.

Section B: Criminal law

This section focuses on the rules and general elements of criminal law and provides an introduction to criminal liability through the study of offences against the person and offences against property. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of criminal law and the skills to apply your legal knowledge to scenario-based situations. Your evaluative skills will be developed by being able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the present state of criminal law.

Component 2 – Law making and the Law of Tort

Section A: Law making

This section focuses on law making and law reform in England and Wales as well as the European Union. You will study law making methods and their underpinning concepts. You will develop an understanding of legal method and reasoning as used by lawyers and the judiciary. Topics covered include parliamentary law making, judicial precedent, delegated legislation, statutory interpretation and european law as well as law reform bodies.

Section B: The Law of Tort 

This section focuses on the rules of Tort liability in negligence, occupiers’ liability and remedies. It provides an introduction to civil liability. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the Law of Tort and the skills to apply your legal knowledge to scenario-based situations. Your evaluative skills will be developed by being able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the present state of the Law of Tort.

Component 3 – Further law

Section A: The nature of law 

This compulsory section focuses on the nature of law. You will explore the nature of law in a wider context and develop your understanding of how the law interacts with society, technology, morality and justice. You will be expected to bring together the different areas of knowledge and understanding of the English legal system and the nature of law, legal rules and principles, concepts and issues from across the full course of study.

Section B: The law of contract 

This option focuses on the central elements of contract law from the formation of contracts to their enforcement. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the law of contract, the skills to apply your legal knowledge to scenario-based situations. Your evaluative skills will be developed by being able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the present state of the law of contract.

Course assessment

Two-hour written examination in each of the three components.

Materials

Recommended textbooks to be advised by your tutor. Extensive use will be made of the Internet and relevant websites will be an important source of material to study this course.

Progress

Higher Education to study for a law degree or a range of humanities degrees. Legal career as a solicitor, barrister, or part of the probation service, court services, or police.