Law A Level

Qualification: GCE A Level in Law
Exam Board & Specification Code: OCR; H418; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 6 in English Language GCSE or 6 in English Literature GCSE
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: 3 x 2 hour exams
BHASVIC Department: Philosophy, Politics and Law

What will I study?

Studying Law at A Level will involve you learning about people who work in Law such as judges plus the role of civil and criminal courts including the difficulties associated with funding cases. You will study who makes law and who can influence the law-making process. All students will study Criminal Law in depth and solve fictitious scenario-style questions associated with murder, manslaughter and non-fatal offences such as assault and battery. Criminal defences such as insanity and necessity are studied and some are analysed for example, “Should intoxication be a defence to some crimes? The law on Tort is a fascinating area of law examining the duty of care that one person may owe to another such as a car driver to other road users. You will study the consequences of what happens when this duty is breached. Tort involves learning about negligence, nuisance, an occupiers’ liability towards their visitors and even their trespassers and the important role of imposing fault on those who may be blameworthy in some way, for example, employers may be to blame for acts committed by their employees. In Year 2, students study either the Law of Contract or Human Rights alongside concepts relating to justice, morality and the role of law in society. For a full list of topics on the specification please click the link above.

Is this course right for me?

Law is a subject which is brand new to most students at A Level. Our students tell us that they really enjoy this course and the different teaching and learning methods used. They emphasise that there is a lot to learn and having a good memory certainly helps. Being well-organised and keeping up with independent studies each week aids their success and enjoyment in Law. This course could be right for you if you are an independent learner who enjoys researching legal issues, reading chunks of texts and analysing them. You will need to have grade 6 in an English GCSE and work to a schedule that involves regular assessment. Teachers will encourage you to probe the law and evaluate it and think of ways in which it can be reformed. A Level Law links to some topic areas in Sociology and Philosophy as well as Politics where both subjects look at the role of the Supreme Court, the independence of the judiciary and law-making.  

Where next?

Studying A level Law gives students many transferable skills, such as problem solving, critical analysis and negotiation skills, that will enable them to progress to university or to apprenticeships and the world of work. Students could continue studying Law or Law related courses at university such as Criminology, International Relations, Public Services Management and Business. They also have the choice to use their work based skills to seek employment in the legal or business world or as apprentices. Legal apprentices train on the job at law firms to eventually become solicitors, chartered legal executives or paralegals. Students may also choose to apply for related apprenticeship vacancies in broader sectors of the economy. Jobs directly related to Law could include Barrister’s Clerk, Chartered Legal Executive, Company Secretary, Licensed Conveyancer and Paralegal. Possible future careers where Law qualifications could be useful are Advice Worker, Chartered Accountant, Civil Service Administrator, Human Resources and Data Analyst. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include The Lawyer Portal, Law Careers.net, The Law Society, All About Careers and The Apprenticeship Guide.

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