Summary

This course will provide you with a general overview of the English legal system. It includes the structure and procedures of the courts and their personnel – for example, juries, barristers and solicitors. The course will also consider cases and Acts of Parliament. The aim is to improve your knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of a whole range of issues affecting the legal system. Law complements many other disciplines, such as economics, English, sociology and psychology. It serves as a perfect precursor to studying at university, as it develops reasoning skills and relies heavily on argument to inform discussions and essays. Many of our learners leave to study law at university.

A-level Law is almost unique in that it covers a wide range of topics that will give you a broad understanding of the various laws that affect us all in our everyday lives:

The nature of Law and the English Legal System

How will I know how I am doing?

AQA changed the Law syllabus in September 2017. You will now take three exams in the second year in May/June. Each exam is worth 33% and can be on content from either of the years.

What do I need to join?

To study this course, you will need five GCSEs at grade 4–9, including English and Maths. You must also have a grade 5 or above in English Literature.

Work Experience

You will be required to do a minimum of 36 hours of work experience. This is usually completed in a week during your first year in term time, where you will have the opportunity to explore a career field which takes your interest. In the lead-up to this week, you will be asked to create an exciting CV during a group tutorial period. The aim of this activity is to give you an idea of what full-time employment is like and to help you think about which career you would like to follow.

What can I do next?

Law complements many disciplines and is suited to run alongside Economics, English, Sociology and Psychology, to name but a few.

It serves as a perfect precursor to studying at university, as it develops reasoning skills and relies heavily upon argument to inform discussions and essays. Many of our learners leave to study law at university.

Law is useful for learners interested in joining the police force or training to become a social worker.