Applied Law BTEC - Certificate

L3 Level 3
Full Time
4 September 2025 — 23 June 2026
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

About this course

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).

What you will study

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

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirement GCSE Math and English Grade C

Important points

  • The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
  • Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
  • Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
  • Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
  • Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
  • All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
  • Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
  • Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
Key information

Start date

4 September 2025

End date

23 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
Maps & directions

Course code

GECC3NF5
L3

Qualification

BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Law

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Career prospects & further study

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Fantastic university progression routes! With hundreds of students gaining places at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading universities. In fact, this year more than 500 students achieved their firm or insurance choice through UCAS, with nearly 100 being Russell Group universities!

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.

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City Centre Campus, Cardiff
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE