Law
Law is dynamic and ever changing; it regulates us in every aspect of our lives. Through studying law, you can learn to understand how and why the law affects you.
You will learn about law through a mixture of discussion, mock trials, debate and through visits to legal institutions. Regular speakers include a local barrister, solicitor and magistrates. The course aims to develop your ability to analyse and apply legal principles, construct legal arguments and draw appropriate conclusions. Throughout, critical evaluation of current legal issues will be high on the agenda. All of these skills are highly regarded by employers and make you more employable.
Year 1
- Murder, manslaughter – what’s the difference?
- Non-fatal offences against the person
- Theft, robbery and burglary
- Defences: intoxication, insanity, self-defence consent
- Civil and Criminal courts
- Work and training of solicitors and barristers
- Role of jurors and magistrates
- Parliamentary law making
- Judges making the law
Year 2
- Human Rights Law
- History of the Human Rights Act
- Impact of the Human Rights Act in the UK
- How are Human Rights enforced?
- The law of Tort
- What’s the law in personal injury cases?
- What’s the law on keeping your home safe for visitors?
- What is justice?
- Should judges make law?
- What’s the difference between law and morality?
Sophie King
Studied: Law, Psychology, English Language + AS Politics & Anthropology
Progression: Law at University of Sussex
Sophie took a gap year to go travelling and during that time visited Thailand and New Zealand and then lived and worked in Australia for 8 months. After her gap year she studied Law at the University of Sussex and graduated in 2018. She has recently landed a job with Sussex Police and began her 15 weeks training in Spring 2019, after which she will be posted into the Brighton and Hove division to pursue her career as a Police Constable. She then plans to work her way up before hopefully becoming a Detective Constable.
Sophie says: “Enjoy your time at college as it allows you to figure out who you are and what path you want to take. Fully delve into all your subjects as you may be surprised which ones you end up pursuing in the long run.”
Course Essentials
Courses Available
A Level
PLUS
Grade 4 in GCSE Maths
How The Course is Assessed
100% exam - 3 papers, 2 hours each
Career Pathways
A Level Law is a sound foundation for a broad range of degree courses and law/business related careers and other work including: journalism, management, and politics.
Transferable Skills
Time management; handling complex information; constructing clear arguments; writing concisely; effective communication; problem solving; confident working in teams and alone.
Other Information
Students also regularly visit courts, including the Supreme Court and High Court in London. Field trips also really help develop understanding and last year students were involved in a Human Rights Symposium in London and worked with the Lawyer portal to develop understanding of the profession. In previous years there have been opportunities to consider Human Rights in Amsterdam, Paris and The Hague and explore the UN in New York. The annual Mock Trial takes place in the Brighton Magistrates’ Courts in front of real Magistrates who provide invaluable feedback on our students’ performances.
Enquiries To
Ben Foley: bjf@varndean.ac.uk
News
Students work with Sussex University StreetLaw Team
Varndean College Student Legal Hub
In collaboration with the University of Sussex and run entirely by university student volunteers , our Legal Hub is designed to provide Varndean College students with legal support on a wide array of topics. From employment to bursaries, and everything in between, the team of dedicated volunteers has trained and researched to help identify legal issues, advise on where they can best get support and signpost information about programs or organisations within the community that can help.
