Law
Why study Law?
Law is a fascinating subject which affects everybody everyday. Each time you catch a bus, go to work, go shopping or eat out law is involved. Law is everywhere!
Law combines well with all other subjects as it develops skills which can be used across the board. You will improve your essay writing skills, your communication skills, vocabulary and memory.
Law can lead to a broad range of careers; it can be the first step to becoming a solicitor, barrister, clerk of the court, police officer, journalist, politician, civil servant, teacher, a career in business and much more.
What is it and what will I do?
We will be following the AQA GCE Law Specification which was updated in 2008; this offers a new and exciting perspective on the subject, with relevant and up to date topics and case studies. The AS modules are designed to provide an introduction to the study of law, by covering the law making processes and the English legal system, and also by focusing on two separate areas of the substantive law. Students will learn the theory of law and will develop the ability to apply the law to given situations.
The AS is divided in to two modules. The first module provides and introduction to the English legal system, covering the principles of law making and dispute solving. Students will study four main areas of law within this module: Parliamentary law making; judicial precedent; civil courts and dispute resolution and criminal courts and lay people (the jury and Magistrates).
The second module is an introduction to liability. Students will study both criminal and civil liability. Within criminal liability students will learn about: the elements of a crime; criminal court procedure; sentencing and an introduction to the non-fatal offences against the person including assault, battery, Actual Bodily Harm and Grievous Bodily Harm. Within civil liability students will learn about the tort of negligence, this involves situations where a person is injured or whose property is damaged through the carelessness/ fault of others: how negligence is established; the civil court procedure and compensation.
The A2 course
The second year course focuses on criminal law. Students will study the non-fatal offences in more depth discovering the elements of the crime and further case law.
Homicide including murder and manslaughter and the defences to these crimes will be examined as will property offences and the defences to these. The A2 course offers students the opportunity to delve deeper into the legal world and to examine criminal offences and defences in much more detail and to discuss real life case law which has come before the courts.
How will I be assessed?
There are two written exams which are worth 50% of the AS level each. Both are an hour and a half long and focus on short essay questions.
What qualifications do I need to start AS level Law at Bilborough College?
There are no additional entry requirements for AS level Law above the college's general entry requirements. Law is a challenging subject so you should be prepared to work hard. You will need a good memory for all the case law you need to remember and be highly motivated as the subject involves a high volume of essays. We recommend that you have GCSE English at a C or above as Law focuses around written work. Students who achieve well in the humanities such as History find that they already have many of the necessary skills.
What should I do next?
When you have chosen the other courses you wish to study, fill in the college application form and come to the induction period in the summer term after you have finished your GCSEs. We strongly recommend that all students who wish to study Law attend the induction session to get a good understanding of the course content and style.