Department of Law

What is A-level law?

Law plays a vital role in society. The law helps define a society's values and also provides a means to solve problems and disputes without resort to violence. Knowledge of the law can give people more control over their lives and more confidence in their dealings with others.

It is unlikely that you will have studied Law before as few schools offer the subject at GCSE. However, your own experience, recent emphasis by the government on the need for people to learn about ‘citizenship' and the media's fascination with law-related stories means that this subject is relevant, interesting and popular. The course is designed to remove any feelings of uncertainty and confusion that may arise from taking a new subject.

The Law Department teaches the OCR specifications. The ‘AS' is 'stand alone' or forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full ‘A' Level. Assessment is by means of four modules. The first two modules will be taken at the end of year one. The first of the two A2 modules is sat in the January of year 2.

There is no coursework for Law.

What goes well with law?

Studying Law at Greenhead College will help you develop a strong vocabulary, excellent evaluative skills, effective research skills and the ability to write efficiently, analysing and solving complex legal problems. It links particularly well with English Literature, Psychology, Business Studies, Sociology, Politics and History. However, through Law's literate and logical aspects, it complements virtually any subject.

Trips and visits

We hope to enrich your study by offering the following:

• Visits to local courts, the law museum in Nottingham, Parliament, the Royal Courts of Justice and the 'Old Bailey' in London;
• Undertake workshops led by visiting speakers from a range of legal professions;
• Attend conferences around the country.

About the law department

What can I do with A-Level law?

The course encourages you to develop the skills necessary to analyse and solve problems by applying rules and to develop the ability to communicate arguments and conclusions clearly and succinctly. It will help you substantiate arguments and develop an enquiring and critical mind. As such, an 'A' level in Law provides an excellent background for university and careers not only in law, but also in journalism, local and central government, public relations, teaching, and a range of management and business areas.

What students think about law

"I chose to study law because I was interested in something different." (Daniel)

"The gory murder cases we’ve come across have certainly been fun to study." (Lexie)

"I think law is interesting and it has helped raise my awareness of the legal system and how society operates." (Tasha)

“I really enjoy law, I find it interesting and it has helped me decide what I want to do in the future.” (Louise)

How acceptable is A-Level Law to university?

While it is not necessary to pass Law at A-level in order to get a place on a Law degree course (all that is required is three good grades at A-level in at least two traditional academic subjects), you would be well advised to study it at some level to get a useful insight of the subject before committing yourself to three or four years of intensive (and expensive)study at degree level.

A-level Law is regarded as equal to other A-levels by Ofqual, the examining boards and the vast majority of British universities, with even the most highly selective universities being willing to commit themselves to a public list of institutions that do so.

You would be well advised to study law at some level prior to university for the following reasons:

• You will have decided that you enjoy law and are prepared to do the necessary hard work before committing yourself to three or four years of intensive (and very expensive) study at degree level;
• You will be aware of the varied sources of English law, and will have experience of researching from both primary and secondary sources of law;
• Universities assume that students are familiar with the basics of the English legal system when they start the degree;
• You will have been trained how to write academic essays, rather than merely present a mish-mash of popular prejudices and personal opinions;
• Those who have done A-Level Law will be familiar with legal problem questions. You will be able to read a scenario involving the victim of a wrongdoing, identify and state relevant legal rules, refer to appropriate cases and/or statutes, and apply them to the facts of the scenario;
• You will be aware of many legal controversies and be able to express informed views upon them;
• Most of our students come back from their first term at university saying how glad they were to have done A-Level Law as an introduction to the subject. Many university law tutors recognise the advantages too and welcome students who have already studied law.