Law (A Level)

Why study Law?

From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed, the law affects your every waking minute. It determines your rights as a citizen, your responsibilities to others and ensures that society operates smoothly. Are you prepared to ask
challenging questions; e.g. what is more just, to sentence harshly to teach the offender a lesson or to educate the offender to become a better citizen? If you are curious in how the law deals with these and other matters, and are prepared to explore and debate such issues, Law is an inspiring and stimulating subject to study.

Entry Requirements

In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:

GCSE English – grade 4

No previous knowledge of Law is required.

The Course

Law is the study of how the English legal system works. You will learn about the processes, institutions and personnel which create and enforce the law and have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to the substantive legal areas of criminal law, the law of torts and human rights law. You will also be asked to question the very aim of law and what purpose it should and does
promote.

Course Activities

Students learn through a variety of activities, including:

Class debates and discussions.
Production of mini ‘films’ about legal cases and issues.
Class presentations.
Trips to Luton Crown Court, The Old Bailey and The Royal Courts of Justice.
IT research exercises.

We recommend that you devote 4.5 hours of private study time per week to this subject.

Career and Progression Opportunities

Law is an A Level which is recognised by universities as one relevant for entry onto many different types of Higher Education course. Law is relevant to many careers including practising law, journalism and media work, marketing and market research, business management, administration and the civil service, accountancy and teaching.

Course Structure and Assessment

The syllabus is divided into three components. Each student will study for two years in order to achieve an A Level in Law.
They shall be required to sit a final exam in all three components at the end of two years of study.

Component title and content	Assessment
Criminal Law + The Nature of Law and the English Legal System You will study how Parliament makes law, and judges interpret it. You will also discover the systems for enforcing criminal law and criminal courts, including the personnel involved. You will study the rules and theory of criminal law. You will examine the non-fatal offences against the person, in particular assault, battery, ABH and GBH. You will then study the fatal offences of murder and manslaughter. You will study the property offences of theft and robbery. You shall also examine the defences that apply to criminal offences.	Two-hour paper. 100 marks. Combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions.
Tort Law + The Nature of Law and the English Legal System You shall study the rules and theory of tort law. In particular, you will examine how a person becomes liable in negligence for physical injury to people and damage to property. Having covered the basic principles of negligence, you will study liability for economic loss and psychiatric injury, occupiers’ liability, nuisance and liability for the escape of dangerous things.	Two-hour paper. 100 marks. Combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions.
Human Rights Law + The Nature of Law and the English Legal System You will study human rights law and its importance in society. You will learn about the rights under ECHR and the various articles and the remedies available when there is a breach of a right. You will examine the arguments and theories regarding the role of law and society, law and morality as well as law and justice. You will consider philosophical arguments regarding the role and purpose of the law. You will also learn about European law and how Parliament delegates law making power to other bodies.	Two-hour paper. 100 marks. Combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions.

Additional Information

Examination Board: AQA (7162)

Case Study