To acquire some knowledge of the Law and its application to
real life problems.
To develop skills of analysis and communication.
To provide both a foundation and a 'taster' for the study of
law at a higher level.
To provide basic legal knowledge which could be useful
to other studies and for a career.
Who
will enjoy Law?
Someone who enjoys
The challenge of exploring new ideas and subject
material.
Analysing open-ended problems and applying principles
to their possible solutions.
Discussion and debate.
Following current affairs through the Media.
Communicating with others both verbally and in writing.
Will I need any specialist knowledge to do law?
No, but we want you to have a lively interest in legal issues
and current affairs.
What skills
will I need? The ability to…
… learn things accurately.
… read widely and carefully.
… research issues from books, journals, newspapers,
videos TV and radio.
… discuss and think out problems.
… be willing to be critical.
You will need to transfer the following skills from your
school subjects:
Essay writing
Discussion
Reading
Questioning
Note-taking
Asking for guidance
Summarising
Revision
What do lessons involve?
Formal class
teaching and lecturing.
Class discussions.
Student presentations.
Internet research.
Case studies.
Visits to the Magistrates and
Crown Courts.
Mock trial competition.
Other subject
combinations
Law can be likened to subjects such as
History, English Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy
and Government & Politics,
which all require strong literacy skills. You need to be
able to understand what you read, make notes and to structure
and write essays. Law involves great care in the definition
and use of words; constructing and challenging arguments;
a lot of reading and learning, and that it is a literary
subject where quality of writing and expression is fundamental.
For this reason, to study AS Law, you will need to have achieved
at least a grade C or above in GCSE English Language.
Career prospects
There are many interesting and lucrative
career prospects both in the Legal Profession and in Business
for qualified lawyers.
Not only do solicitors and barristers do a wide variety of
work but legal specialists are needed by most large companies.
However, the Law is a competitive career both at entry to
first degree and even more at the Training Contract/Pupillage
stage. Neither A-level Law nor a degree in Law is a guarantee
of a legal career. Remember that a legal career can also
be accessed by a good first degree in a related subject followed
by a one-year post-graduate conversion course and some law
firms even prefer this approach.
If you do not wish to go on to a legal career but feel
that some knowledge and understanding of Law would be helpful
to you, remember that A-level Law is acceptable by Higher
Education institutions as an entry qualification for other
first degree and diploma courses.
