Law

Course summary

Law is the study of the rules which govern our society, the institutions which make them, and the manner in which they are applied. The OCR A Level Law qualification allows students to develop a broad and detailed knowledge of the English legal system. In year 12, students will study the machinery of lawmaking and the justice system, as well as substantive areas of criminal law and the law of tort. While doing so, students will also develop an understanding of the legal methods and the reasoning used by lawyers and the judiciary, subsequently applying those techniques themselves to analyze problems and reach conclusions supported by reference to legal authority. In the second year of the course, students will turn the principles they have learned and skills they have acquired into the study of human rights law. They will also be encouraged to take a wider, more evaluative approach and demonstrate a critical awareness of the challenging nature of law and its interaction with morals, justice, society, and technology. Law is an academic discipline that promotes analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as promoting clarity of thought and expression both orally and in writing. While not a prerequisite for those seeking to study Law at university, this course is designed to provide a sound foundation for undergraduate study of the subject. It is also a qualification that is well regarded by universities on the basis of the academic challenge it poses and the generic skills it develops. Those skills will equip students for the rigors of undergraduate study in any subject and for a range of careers in such diverse fields as law, journalism, the civil service, and business.