The BTEC Applied Law course is an ideal qualification for students who want to pursue a career or further education within the legal sector. Whilst studying this course students will gain an overall understanding of both the civil and criminal legal systems, whilst developing practical skills in legal research, writing professional legal communications and the independent learning skills that are needed for university study and future legal employment. Students will take an in-depth exploration of the criminal law and family law whilst also learning how laws are made and the structure of the court system.

This Extended Certificate is equivalent to one A Level and carries equivalent UCAS points.

GCSE English Language grade 4 or above is desirable

Year 1:

Unit 1 – Dispute Solving in Civil Law (externally assessed)

Within this module you will gain an understanding of the Civil Legal System and how civil disputes are resolved both in and out of court. You will specifically learn about the ways in which the courts deal with civil disputes and how claims can be settled outside of court using alternative dispute resolution. In addition to this you will develop a basic understanding of the laws of negligence and how these are applied in cases, alongside sources of legal advice, funding and remedies. You will develop legal research skills and will use these to research how the system of precedent is applied in cases. You will learn how to reference legal sources and how to communicate professionally with legal colleagues and clients.

Unit 2 – Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (internally assessed)

This is one of the non-examined assessments within the course. Here you will learn about how laws are made and used, particularly criminal laws and how the law punishes those who break the criminal law. In addition to this you will learn about the different roles of legal personnel within the criminal court system. In this unit you will investigate and research how different laws are made both inside and outside of Parliament and then how the courts interpret these laws in cases. You will also write professional legal advice based upon a criminal scenario, explaining and applying the law of non-fatal offences, advising upon legal representation and funding.

Year 2:

Unit 3: Applying the Law (externally assessed)

This module focusses on criminal law, you will develop knowledge of the law of the fatal offences including murder and manslaughter, property crimes such as theft and robbery, the defences that can be claimed in relation to criminal law and the police powers to search, arrest and detain. This is an external assessed element where you will explain and apply the element of each offence or defence to a real-life crime scenario. You will develop decision making and communication skills and advise clients or the police on how they should respond to the situation within the case study.

Unit 4: Aspects of Family Law (internally assessed)

This is the final non-examined element of the course, and it will provide an in-depth study into family law. Here you will gain an understanding of the legal rules that govern the law of marriage and divorce, alongside the legal orders that can be made during divorce proceedings such as the different financial orders and orders relating to children. Within your study of this module, you will develop academic skills in explaining, applying and analysing civil legal principles and reaching decisions relating to client briefs.

Year 1:

Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil Law (25%)

• 1 hr 30 min assessment worth 60 marks covering a range of tasks that are set by exam board, completed in a supervised environment and then marked by exam board.
• Based on a pre-seen case provided one week before a supervised assessment in order to carry out research.
• Submission completed using a computer.

Unit 2: Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (25%)

Non-examined assessment (NEA) work completed and assessed internally before being externally moderated by the exam board.

Year 2:

Unit 3: Applying the Law (33%)

• 2hr assessment worth 72 marks covering a range of tasks that are set by the exam board, completed in a supervised environment and then marked by the exam board.
• Based on two pre-seen cases provided two weeks before a supervised assessment in order to carry out research.
• Submission completed using a computer.

Unit 7: Aspects of Tort Law (17%)

• Non-examined assessment (NEA) work completed and assessed internally before being externally moderated by the exam board.

External assessments are graded Near Pass, Pass, Merit or Distinction.

NEA units are graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

All units must achieve a grade to be awarded the full qualification which is graded Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*

Further information can be found on the Pearson website.

Completion of this qualification will enable students to progress onto a career within the legal sector, via higher education or entry level employment such as apprenticeships.

This qualification is generally taken alongside other qualifications as part of a 2-year programme of learning. This will enable learners to progress to a degree programme chosen from a range of courses in both the legal and business sectors. It can be taken alongside A Levels in Sociology, Psychology, History or Business that can lead to various career paths within such as Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Executive or the Police.

Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers.