Certificate of Higher Education in Law
Online United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
05 Sep 2024
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 7,272 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Introduction
Studying law is stimulating in its own right, and it’s also helpful in a wide range of careers. By the end of your studies, you’ll have gained some knowledge and understanding of criminal and tort law, together with general and legal study skills. Understanding how these laws are made, the importance of legal rights and duties and how the law impacts society helps you understand society and your own role within it.
You’ll also be prepared for further law study or for career development in law, business, government, education, charitable and non-governmental organisations and a wide range of other public-facing and regulatory roles.
Key features
- Gives you the opportunity to improve your understanding of the legal system in England and Wales
- Helps develop key legal skills by identifying legal issues and applying legal principles
- Can assist your career development by demonstrating your academic ability to potential employers.
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this certificate of higher education is also equivalent to the first third of the Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) (R81).
Accessibility
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Certificate of Higher Education in Law and Languages uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
- Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
- Online tutorials
- Group-work
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Practical work
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Accessing online catalogues and databases
- Specialist material, such as legal texts
- Assessment in the form of short-answer questions, essays, and examinations
- Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
- Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
How long it takes
- Part-time study – 2 years
- Full-time study – 1 year
- Time limit – 7 years
Program Outcome
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this qualification, you will have some knowledge and understanding of the:
- Concepts, values, rules and principles of the legal system of England and Wales, and awareness of some of the powers exercised by the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- Areas of substantive law of England and Wales and their impact on individuals and society
- Social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this qualification, you will be able to:
- Ask and answer appropriate questions about criminal and tort law and the legal system of England and Wales, identifying gaps in your own knowledge
- Apply legal principles and authority to develop reasoned answers to questions.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this qualification, you will be able to:
- Conduct basic legal research with clear guidance
- Identify, retrieve and start to evaluate legal information from a range of electronic or other sources
- Acknowledge the sources of information that you have used, in a style appropriate to the task.
Key skills
On completion of this qualification, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
- Communicate relevant ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Work with a limited range of different textual, numerical and statistical data
- Reflect on your own learning and development, making effective use of feedback, and demonstrating a willingness to acknowledge and correct errors.
Curriculum
This certificate of higher education has one stage comprising 120 credits.
You’ll begin by focusing on a range of criminal offences as well as addressing themes of law reform, human rights and issues relevant to the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales. You’ll then develop an understanding of the range of civil laws, as well as the operation of the civil justice system and explore various torts including negligence, nuisance and defamation.
You cannot study W111 and W112 at the same time. If you wish to study on a full-time basis you can start with W111 in October and then start W112 in the following February.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study both of the following:
- Criminal law and the courts (W111)
- Civil justice and tort law (W112)
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Skills for career development
This qualification will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the legal system of England and Wales and a range of legal and other skills, including being able to identify legal issues and apply legal principles and developing your time management and self-motivation abilities.
Career relevance
The knowledge and skills you will gain from studying for this certificate are recognised and highly respected by many employers. The certificate will prepare you for career development in law, business, government, education, charitable and non-governmental organisations and a wide range of other public-facing and regulatory roles. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying law.
You can continue your legal studies by completing the full Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) qualification and this qualification will help you with a legal career. It is necessary to complete further undergraduate legal studies successfully and meet all other requirements of the regulatory authorities in order satisfactorily to complete your training as a solicitor or barrister. Further information about future legal careers can be found in the Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) qualification.
If you want to become a barrister in England and Wales or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to complete the LLB within six years.
Other careers
Studying law is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it's not the only path you can choose. Many options are available to you beyond the legal profession, including finance, human resources, local government or general management.
Program delivery
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.