Law
Why Study This Subject?
Law plays a vital role in society. It provides a means to recognise rights and duties, solve problems and resolve disputes without resorting to violence. Here at Greenhead College, we encourage 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.
A Level Law will help you substantiate arguments and develop an enquiring and critical mind. As such, 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.
It is unlikely that you will have studied Law before, as few schools offer the subject at GCSE. However, the course is designed to remove any feelings of uncertainty and confusion that may arise from taking a new subject. Law is taught by five teachers with Law degrees in a well-resourced subject base.
Law links well with Business, Economics, English, History, Politics, Psychology and Sociology. However, through its literate and logical aspects, it complements virtually any subject.
We enrich your studies through opportunities to participate in mock trials, visits to local courts, workshops, and access to law firms and barristers’ chambers. The Department has an oversubscribed Law Society, an enhancement programme developed with the Law Faculty at Huddersfield University, and successfully participates in the annual National Bar Mock Trial Competition.
We also typically place over 50 students with local law firms and barristers’ chambers as part of Work Shadowing Week. The Department provides support with the national admissions test required to study Law at certain universities.
This course follows the AQA specification.
- The nature of law and the English legal system: The differences between criminal and civil law, the meaning and importance of fault, the relationship between law and morality, Parliamentary law making, judges interpreting this law, judge-made law, the criminal and civil courts, and magistrates and juries
- Criminal law: The general principles of criminal law, fatal and non-fatal offences against the person, property offences and various defences such as intoxication, insanity, and self-defence.
- Tort law: The theory of tort law, liability in negligence, occupiers’ liability, nuisance and the escape of dangerous things, defences, and remedies.
- Contract law: Rules on formation of contract, consumer rights, exclusion clauses, breach of contract, and damages.
Other than the College’s general entry requirements, there are no additional qualifications required.
A common misunderstanding is that, if you wish to apply for a Law degree, universities prefer you not to take A Level Law. In reality, what even the most competitive universities want is three strong A Level grades in at least two traditional academic subjects.
We feel that you would be well advised to study Law at A Level to gain a useful insight into the subject before committing yourself to three or four years of intensive (and expensive) study at degree level. Former Greenhead students often return from their first term at university saying how glad they were to have studied A Level Law as an introduction to the subject.
A Level Law is regarded as equal to other A Levels by Ofqual, the examination boards and virtually all universities, including the most highly selective institutions. Each year, around a quarter of our students are admitted to Russell Group universities.
It is not true that universities prefer applicants for Law degrees not to have studied A Level Law. What even the most competitive universities are looking for is strong academic achievement, including three good A Level grades in at least two traditional academic subjects.
“The Law teachers are very supportive and are great at making lessons interesting. There are also great trip and enrichment opportunities, especially mock trials.”
“I felt the topic booklets were really well laid out and extremely useful. All the content was in one place.”
“We have flashback Fridays which help us recall past topics. Also, after tests we get model answers which are very helpful to learn the structure to similar questions.”
“The crib sheets and topic overviews are extremely helpful for structuring answers and improve my exam technique.”
“We have insightful teaching and resources that clearly and concisely explain each aspect of the course.”
