The course attracts students of many different kinds. Some are looking toward a legal career, but the law affects everyone and many students take the course just out of interest.
The Course
The Nature of Law and the English Legal System
- Law making and the nature of law
- The English legal system and the nature of law
Substantive Law in Practice
- Law of contract (private law)
- Law of tort (private law)
- Criminal law (public law)
- Human rights law (public law)
Perspectives of Substantive Law
- Law of contract (private law)
- Law of tort (private law)
- Criminal law (public law)
- Human rights law (public law)
Methods of Teaching and Learning
Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, discussions in large and small groups, moots (mock trials), and occasional presentations; there are also opportunities to visit the courts and hear from guest speakers. You will be provided with detailed workbooks for all topics, where all your notes are written and essay plans are created. You are expected to do some background reading, to make your own detailed notes and to write essay answers to past exam questions.
Methods of Assessment
Law can be taken with any combination of subjects. This is a 100% essay based exam course, with no coursework element.
Component 1
Written examination: 1.5 hours long and counts for 25% of grade
Section A has two short answer questions and one scenario based question.
Section B will be a choice between 2 essay questions (each question will be split into part A and part B)
Component 2
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes and counts for 37.5% of grade
One scenario based question from three different sections, selected from: Law of contract, Law of tort, Criminal law, Human rights law
Component 3
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes and counts for 37.5% of grade
One essay question from three different sections, selected from: Law of contract, Law of tort, Criminal law, Human rights law
Resources
There is an online “E-Book” which you can access in college and a virtual learning environment on the internet. You will receive detailed workbooks on the various topics, covering every aspect of the work. The College Library is well stocked with relevant books. You are encouraged to use these and other internal and external resources.
Enrichment
Opportunities to visit Bristol Law Courts and a law library to learn how to research law. Guest speakers from international law firms and barristers chambers often visit, and the college is invited to participate in mock trials at the University of the West of England on their “Street Law” programme.
Additional Costs
There are no specific charges payable in connection with this course, except for any optional visits you may wish to take part in.
Progression
The course leads to an A-level Law qualification (WJEC 3251) after two years.
A-level Law is not required for entry to Law degree courses or the legal profession, but it is accepted (with other appropriate subjects) for entry to degree courses in Law and nearly all other courses of higher education.
Students wishing to study Law at university will not be disadvantaged by studying A-level Law. The course helps them prepare for the LNat test and develops your legal skills
It is also a useful qualification for anyone looking for employment as a legal executive, legal secretary, police officer, journalist, social worker, civil servant, forensic scientist, accountant or tax adviser.
