Why study Law?
- Law affects virtually all aspects of our lives and regulates much of our everyday activity.
- Learners will be taught to construct coherent and balanced legal arguments to answer problem questions.
- Law develops the analysis and evaluation skills which are important in all aspects of work and further study.
- Varied and engaging syllabus – we study the law on crime, tort, contract, as well as the fundamentals of the English legal system.
- Studying A level Law helps learners to make an informed decision about entering the legal profession.
Why study Law at Solihull Sixth Form College?
- Experienced and successful teaching team.
- Consistently positive learner feedback. Our law students enjoy the subject and feel it enhances their ability to write extended, well-structured arguments, which is also useful in other subjects.
- The department has strong links with the University of Law based in Birmingham, with Aston University and the University of Warwick
- A study visit to the Crown Court is an opportunity to develop a better understanding of how the law is applied in practice.
Course Outline
English legal system – this includes a study of:
• The criminal courts and the role of magistrates and the jury in criminal trials.
• The way the law is made and interpreted by judges
• Legal personnel including barristers, solicitors, legal executives and judges
• The structure of criminal and civil courts and the appeal process.
Criminal Law – general elements of liability including:
• The offences of assault, battery and grievous bodily harm
• The offences of murder, manslaughter and defences which could be raised, e.g. self-defence
• The offences of theft and robbery.
Civil Law – knowledge and understanding of private law including:
Tort:
• Liability in negligence for injury to people and damage to property and torts such as nuisance, economic loss and occupiers’ liability
Contract:
• The rules of the law of contract, including contract formation, contract enforceability, misrepresentation, contract terms, and breach of contract.
Success in the subject will require learners to write in a coherent and developed way and be able to evaluate the relevant law. A good memory is essential as there are a lot of cases to recall. A commitment to progress your study outside the classroom must also be assumed.
Assessment
No Coursework
Examination (100%) – There will be 3 papers at the end of the course which will include multiple choice questions, short answer questions and questions requiring learners to construct persuasive legal arguments to answer a problem scenario.
Examining Board – AQA.
Special Entry Requirements
Standard A level entry requirements apply.
Prohibited Options
None.
What do our students go on to do?
Law is one of the most marketable academic qualifications. It is recognised by institutions of Higher Education and complements Politics, Social Science and Business related courses. Apart from the obvious careers of solicitor or barrister, Law students are well liked by industry, commerce and local government and will be found working in retail management, publishing, journalism, the police force, social services and teaching. Recent learners have progressed to the Universities of Durham, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath and Nottingham to study a degree in Law.
Cost Implications
The College Learning Centre subscribes to the Law Review, written by teachers, for learners of A Level Law. Learners will be expected to read the Law Review regularly and this can be purchased at a discounted rate through the College. Learners will be provided with access to appropriate textbooks and learning materials. There is no expectation for the purchase of textbooks.
Complementary Subjects or Enrichments
A Level Law will combine with a range of advanced level courses to support non-law based progression routes. Law will complement A level Politics, which includes an element of Law, Government and judges which is the foundation of law making. Law also goes well with Criminology, as our study of criminal law complements the content on the Criminology course and is an ideal choice for learners thinking of choosing a Criminology degree. Politics, Psychology, Sociology and History have traditionally been seen as desirable because of the skills they develop. Mathematics and science subjects can also be studied with A level Law, and encourage a reasoned and logical approach.
This information is correct for September 2024 entry.