Applied Law

Why Choose this course?

It will support entry to many higher education courses, depending on the other qualifications learners have taken. Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers. The qualification can also support progression to employment directly or via an Apprenticeship.

The qualification carries UCAS points and if it is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, then it is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses.

Prospects

On the BTEC National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, we are generally referring to skills in the following three main categories:

• cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
• intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
• interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

There are also specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant, for example, where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities.

All BTEC Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that prepare learners for progression to higher education. The transferable skills that universities value include:

• the ability to learn independently
• the ability to research actively and methodically
• being able to give presentations and being active group members.

BTEC learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including:

• reading legal texts
• effective writing
• research skills
• analytical skills
• creative development
• preparation for assessment methods used in degrees

Course Content

Mandatory units There are three mandatory units that learners must complete, one internal and two external. Learners must complete and achieve at Near Pass grade or above in all mandatory external units and achieve a Pass or above in all mandatory internal units. The three mandatory units are Dispute Solving in Civil Law, Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System and Applying the Law.

Optional units
Learners must complete at least one optional unit. We can choose from Aspects of Family Law, Consumer Law, Contract Law or Aspects of Tort.

External assessment
This is a summary of the type and availability of external assessment, which is of units making up 58% of the total qualification learning hours.

Unit 3: Applying the Law: A task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.

• A task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.
• Learners will be given information about a case one week before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research.
• The supervised assessment period is a maximum of one and a half hours, in one sitting, on a specified date timetabled by Pearson.
• Submission completed using a computer.
• Worth 60 marks and completed in Jan or May/June

Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil Law

• Learners are given information about two cases two weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research.
• The supervised assessment period is a maximum of two hours, in one morning sitting, on a specified date timetabled by Pearson.
• Written submission.
• Worth 72 marks and again sat in either Jan or May/June

Course Opportunities/ Activities

- Visit to Liverpool Crown Court
- Visit by a ACAS adviser
- Visit from a Family solicitor

Student Comment

I have learned so much about the law and how courts work in such a short amount of time, the lessons are interesting engaging, and I can't wait to continue as the school year continues