This level 3 BTEC qualification is for post-16 learners who would like to continue their education through applied learning with the view to progressing to higher education and/or to employment, possibly in the legal sector. The course will provide a basic introduction of the legal system and will enable learners to develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly valued by universities and employers (For those learners wishing to gain a higher qualification, the extended certificate is also available following successful completion of the BTEC National).
The BTEC National Applied Law covers two compulsory units: Dispute Solving in Civil Law and Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System.
Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil Law (taught in Year 1)
Externally assessed. Worth 50% of qualification (Total 60 marks)
Learners will explore how civil disputes are resolved, both in the courts and by alternative means. Students will also examine precedent and its application in the law of negligence together with sources of advice, funding, resolution and remedies.
Learners will also develop legal skills in research and will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is applied, including the ability to reference legal sources and how to communicate professionally with colleagues and clients.
(NOTE: If learner proceeds to Extended Certificate this unit will contribute towards 25% of the overall qualification)
Unit 2: Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (taught in Year 1)
Internally Assessed. Worth 50% of BTEC National qualification (Total 60 marks)
Students will learn how laws are made and interpreted, who advises and decides on the outcome of criminal cases and the punishments that can be imposed if laws are broken. They will then present advice to clients on non-fatal offence case studies.
In this unit, learners will develop the skills to investigate and research how different laws are made both inside and outside Parliament and then interpreted in courts. Learners will use research skills to investigate the way in which the law is developed and applied.
This unit will provide an understanding of the way the criminal justice system works in the United Kingdom. It will provide the opportunity to develop decision-making, communication, presentation and critical-thinking skills.
(NOTE: If learner proceeds to Extended Certificate this unit will contribute towards 25% of the overall qualification).
Unit 3: Applying the Law (taught in Year 2)
Externally Assessed: Worth 33% of overall qualification which includes BTEC National
Learners will examine the law relating to specific crimes, including murder and manslaughter and also offences against property, such as theft and burglary. Students will also explore the police procedures for dealing with such offences, in addition to considering the impact and consequences of crime. Learners will also examine the law relating to arrest, detention and searching people and property.
Students will also examine case law relating to real-life crimes and will need to be aware of specific Acts of Parliament that relate to criminal offences and police procedures.
Problem-solving skills and legal research skills are central to a student’s learning and these skills will be used to investigate the way in which the law is developed and applied in addition to decision-making and communication skills, where learners may have to decide how to advise clients or how the police should respond to a particular situation. Analytical and critical-thinking skills will also be developed.
Unit 4 Optional unit (taught in Year 2)
Unit 7: Aspects of Tort. Internally assessed. Worth 17% of overall qualification which includes BTEC National).
Teaching and Assessment:
Unit 1- Dispute Solving in Civil Law (Compulsory unit and Synoptic) External supervised assessment 1hr 30 mins.
Unit 2- Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (Compulsory unit)- Internal assessment.
Unit 3- Applying the Law (Compulsory Unit)-Externally Assessed
Unit 7 - Aspects of Tort-Internal assessment-written scenarios
Individual Subject Entry Requirement GCSE Math and English Grade C
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.
It can support access to higher education courses, other courses being undertaken will also be considered. The qualification can also lead to direct employment or apprenticeship.