Law A-Level
Subject: Law
Qualification Level: GCE Advanced Level
Qualification Duration: 2 years
Exam Board: AQA
Overview:
Studying Law gives students an understanding of the role of Law in today's society and raises their awareness of the rights and responsibilities of individuals.
Topics are clearly structured and include:
- The nature of law and the English legal system
- Private law
- Public law
- Legal skill research.
Course Content:
The following topics are taught over the 2-year duration of the course. AQA offers an introduction to the:
- Nature of Law: This examines the relationship of law with society, morality and justice, and explores fundamental concepts such as the ‘Rule of Law’ and ‘Parliamentary Sovereignty’;
- English Legal System: This unit covers how law is made both centrally within parliament, and by decisions made in the appeal courts. You learn about key legal institutions, including the civil and criminal court hierarchy, and the various processes and personnel involved in the practice of law;
- Criminal Law: This considers both Fatal (Murder, Voluntary and Involuntary manslaughter) and Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Assault, Battery, Actual Bodily Harm, Grievous Bodily Harm) as well, as offences against property. Criminal legal theory is also studied to provide context;
- Tort Law: This explores various torts ('wrongs') including Negligence and Private Nuisance, and explores concepts such as 'Liability' and deals with the 'Remedies' available to the courts;
- Option choice: You study either Human Rights or Contract Law. Human Rights considers the historical development of human rights and the legal theory underlying the current approach. Contract Law deals with the essential components of contract; offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations.
What sort of work is involved?
Throughout the course, case law will allow the development of critical awareness of the present state of the law and students will learn how to analyse and solve problems by applying legal rules. Furthermore, A level Law is a thinking, writing, debating and learning subject. Students will develop an understanding of how to apply the precision use of language/key terms and to write clearly.
In addition, students will develop how to argue, on paper and in class, to develop and defend their views on how legal principles apply to specific situations.
Trips and other costs:
There may opportunities to visit Reading Magistrates Court, Reading Crown Court, the Royal Courts of Justice, the Supreme Court and Parliament in London.
Students will be encouraged to purchase the AQA A level Law textbook. This can be purchased from any leading book shop.
Career and further study:
The A level provides a good grounding in all aspects of legal practice. As such, it is a very good basis for further study of Law at university or further education.
By learning about legal rules and how and why they apply to real life, students also develop their analytical ability, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All these skills are highly sought after by higher education and employer.
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Jobs directly related to a Law degree include:
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Jobs where a Law degree would be useful include:
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