Law A Level

Law
What is this course about?

This course aims to give you an understanding of how law operates in this country.

At AS you will study the sources of law, people who work in the law, and the criminal process. At A2 you study the law of contract.

What topics will I study?

At AS: Legislation, statutory interpretation, judicial precedent, principles of EU law, juries and magistrates, legal professions, judges, civil and criminal procedure, sentencing.

At A2: Contract formation, contract terms and misrepresentation, things that undermine the contract, termination of the contract.

How will my work be assessed?

At AS

• January Exam: based on some source material requiring you to explain legal principles and to apply them to problem style questions.
• Summer exam: requires you to give both factual descriptions of the topics and to give some critical comments as well.

At A2

• Two exams based on contract law topics
• There is no assessed coursework at either AS or A2.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to do A level Law if I want to do a law degree?

A level law is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for getting on to a law degree. Around 25% of A level Law students go on to a law degree and they usually say it helps them in the first year; the universities are mostly interested in good grades and a genuine interest in the subject.

What knowledge do I need to succeed?

You do not need any knowledge of law in order to do this course; no-one has done the subject at school. An interest in current affairs is an advantage.

What skills will I need to develop to succeed?

You need to be able to write clearly and be prepared to develop a critical approach, asking why things are the way they are and how they could be better.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You need to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A* - C, including a grade C or above in English language.

What are the lessons like?

You will experience a range of teaching activities on the course, there is a lot of class discussion and small group work to analyse materials and prepare answers to analytical questions. Practical activities include participating in a mock trial, and mooting in the second year of the course.

The basic information for the course is provided so that the lessons are based on activities, not writing down lengthy notes.

What have I got to do to do well?

Keep up to date with the homework and complete it to the best of your ability.

Participate in all class activities including class discussions and debates.

What students say about this course

"It has helped me to decide that I want to go on to do a law degree and be a solicitor".

"I like the arguments about legal topics like sentencing."

"It helps you to understand the things that see on the news".

"It's quite challenging but you get good handouts to help you learn".

What do people do with A level Law?

Law is an academic subject and is suitable for entry into any higher education course that requires skills of evaluation and analysis.

The subject matter combines well with business subjects and is often studied during business and accountancy degrees.

Law students have gone on to many universities to study law, including Cambridge. Past law students here have become solicitors and work for both local firms in Worthing and large city firms in London.

Will there be any significant costs related to this subject apart from normal stationery?

Law courts trip (optional) £10