A Level Law Topics by Exam Board: Full List

Starting A Level Law, or deep into revision and need to know exactly what's on your exam? You're in the right place.

A Level Law isn't the same across every exam board. cx fgvbhtall structure their courses differently, with different core topics, optional units, and assessment formats. That means what your friend at another school is revising might not be the same as what's on your paper.

Knowing what's covered by your exam board is crucial. It helps you avoid wasting time on topics you don't need, keeps your revision focused, and makes sure you're properly prepared for the structure of your exams.

This guide breaks down all the A Level Law topics by exam board: clearly, simply, and in one place. Whether you're planning your revision or just want to see what's ahead, this is your complete reference.

Key Takeaways

• A Level Law covers criminal law, tort law, contract law, and human rights topics—but the exact content varies by exam board.

• Different exam boards include different optional topics and core content, so it's important to know which one you're doing.

• Use this guide to see exactly what's on your course by board and how topics are assessed in your final exams.

• Knowing your exam structure helps you revise smarter and avoid learning the wrong material.

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Not all A Level Law courses cover the same material.

Your exam board decides what topics you study, how they're assessed, and which units are compulsory or optional. If you're revising from a generic textbook or copying notes from someone doing a different board, you might be learning stuff that's not even on your exam.

Knowing your exam board helps you to:

• Avoid revising the wrong content. If your board doesn't cover a particular topic, there's no point spending hours on it.

• Understand your exam structure. Some boards split topics across multiple papers, others combine them. Knowing this helps you plan your revision properly.

• Target your revision effectively. You can focus on what actually matters for your exams, not just A Level Law in general.

So, first things first: check with your teacher which exam board your school uses. Then use this guide to see exactly what you need to know.

AQA A Level Law Topics

AQA (opens in a new tab) is one of the most popular exam boards for A Level Law. Here's what's covered:

The Nature of Law and the English Legal System

This topic introduces you to the legal system itself. You'll learn about the sources of law (like Acts of Parliament and case law), the court system, legal personnel (judges, barristers, solicitors), and how laws are made and applied.

Criminal Law

You'll study the key principles of criminal liability, including actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind). Topics include murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, non-fatal offences (assault, battery, ABH, GBH), theft, robbery, burglary, and defences like self-defence, insanity, and automatism.

Law of Tort

Tort law is about civil wrongs. You'll cover negligence (including duty of care, breach, and causation), occupiers' liability, nuisance, and the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher. You'll also look at defences and remedies.

The Law of Contract

Contract law covers how legally binding agreements are formed and what happens when they're broken. Topics include offer and acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, terms of a contract, misrepresentation, frustration, breach, and remedies.

Human Rights Law

This topic explores the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights. You'll study key rights like the right to life, freedom from torture, right to a fair trial, and freedom of expression. You'll also look at how these rights are protected and balanced in UK law.

Check out our AQA A Level Law course overview for more information and past papers.

What is Covered in AQA A Level Law Exam Papers?

AQA A Level Law is assessed across three papers. Here's how the topics are split:

Each paper includes a mix of essay questions and scenario-based questions. You'll need to apply legal principles to real-life situations and demonstrate your knowledge of cases and legislation.

OCR A Level Law Topics

OCR (opens in a new tab) structures its A Level Law course slightly differently. Here's what you'll study:

The English Legal System

This covers the structure of the courts, legal personnel, how laws are made (including statutory interpretation and judicial precedent), and access to justice. You'll also learn about the role of judges, juries, lawyers, and how the legal system works in practice.

Criminal Law

OCR's criminal law content includes the principles of criminal liability (actus reus and mens rea), murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, non-fatal offences, theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, and general defences like insanity, automatism, intoxication, self-defence, and consent.

Law of Tort

You'll study negligence, occupiers' liability, private nuisance, public nuisance, the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher, and vicarious liability. You'll also cover defences and remedies in tort law.

The Law of Contract

Contract law includes formation of contracts (offer, acceptance, consideration, intention), content of contracts (terms and exemption clauses), vitiating factors (misrepresentation, duress, undue influence), discharge of contract (performance, breach, frustration), and remedies.

The Nature of Law

This is a more philosophical topic. You'll explore different theories about what law is, including natural law, legal positivism, and other legal theories. You'll also look at law and morality, law and justice, and the relationship between law and society.

Check out our OCR A Level Law course overview for more info and past papers. 

What is Covered in OCR A Level Law Exam Papers?

OCR A Level Law is assessed across three papers. Here's the structure:

Paper 3 is synoptic, meaning it tests your ability to connect different areas of law and apply broader legal thinking. You'll need to draw on knowledge from across the course.

CIE A Level Law Topics (Cambridge International)

CIE (opens in a new tab) A Level Law is taken by students around the world, particularly in international schools and colleges.

Legal System and Method

This paper introduces you to the foundations of law. You’ll explore the court hierarchy, precedent and statutory interpretation, civil and criminal procedure, the roles of judges, lawyers, and laypeople, and the key features of legal reasoning.

The Law of Contract

This covers how contracts are formed, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention to create legal relations. You’ll also study terms (express and implied), misrepresentation, duress, and remedies like damages or rescission.

Law of Tort

You’ll examine negligence, duty of care, causation, nuisance (public and private), occupiers' liability, and vicarious liability. You'll also study key defences such as contributory negligence and remedies like damages and injunctions.

Criminal Law

This includes general principles like actus reus and mens rea, as well as specific offences including homicide (murder and manslaughter), non-fatal offences against the person (e.g. assault, ABH, GBH), theft, burglary, and defences such as self-defence and insanity.

Check out our CIE A Level Law course overview for more information and past papers.

What is Covered in CIE A Level Law Exam Papers?

CIE A Level Law is assessed across four papers. Here's how they're structured:

Eduqas/WJEC A Level Law Topics

Eduqas (opens in a new tab) (also known as WJEC) offers a slightly different structure. Here's what's included:

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

This topic covers the sources of law, the structure of the courts, legal personnel, and how laws are made and interpreted. It also includes specific content on the legal system in Wales.

Law of Contract

You'll study formation of contracts (offer, acceptance, consideration, intention), terms (express and implied), exemption clauses, misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, discharge of contract, and remedies.

Criminal Law

Criminal law includes actus reus and mens rea, murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, non-fatal offences (assault, battery, ABH, GBH, wounding), theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, and defences including self-defence, insanity, automatism, intoxication, and consent.

Law of Tort

You'll cover negligence, occupiers' liability, nuisance, the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher, vicarious liability, and defences and remedies.

Human Rights Law

This topic explores the Human Rights Act 1998, the European Convention on Human Rights, key rights and freedoms, and how human rights are protected and balanced in the UK.

Rules and Theories

This is a deeper dive into legal theory. You'll explore what makes a law valid, the relationship between law and morality, theories of justice, and different approaches to legal thinking.

Check out our Eduqas A Level Law course overview for more information and past papers.

What is Covered in Eduqas/WJEC A Level Law Exam Papers?

Eduqas/WJEC (opens in a new tab) A Level Law is assessed across three components. Here's how they're structured:

Topics That Overlap Across All Exam Boards

While there are differences between exam boards, several core topics appear across AQA, OCR, and Eduqas/WJEC:

Criminal Law is covered by all three boards. You'll study actus reus, mens rea, murder, manslaughter, non-fatal offences, property offences, and defences. The exact cases and level of detail may vary slightly, but the core principles are the same.

Law of Tort is also universal. All boards include negligence, occupiers' liability, and nuisance. The focus and depth on specific areas (like Rylands v. Fletcher or vicarious liability) may differ, but the fundamentals overlap.

Contract Law appears on all three boards. You'll cover formation, terms, vitiating factors, discharge, and remedies. Again, the specific cases and emphasis may vary.

The English Legal System is a core topic across all boards. You'll learn about the courts, legal personnel, and how laws are made and interpreted.

Human Rights Law is included in AQA and Eduqas/WJEC. OCR includes aspects of human rights within its synoptic paper, but it's not a standalone topic in the same way.

If you're comparing boards or switching schools, these overlaps mean a lot of your knowledge will transfer. The main differences lie in assessment structure, optional topics, and how much emphasis is placed on legal theory.

You can test your knowledge with Save My Exams A Level Law revision materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all exam boards cover Contract and Human Rights Law?

Contract law is covered by all three exam boards: AQA, OCR, and Eduqas/WJEC. Human Rights Law is a standalone topic in AQA and Eduqas/WJEC, but OCR includes human rights content within its synoptic paper (Paper 3) rather than as a separate unit. So yes, all boards cover these areas, but the structure and depth vary.

Can I switch exam boards during the A Level course?

Technically, yes—but it's not straightforward. If you move schools and the new school uses a different exam board, you'd have to adapt to their syllabus, which could mean learning new topics or missing content you've already studied. It's doable, but it requires extra work and coordination between your old and new school. If you're considering switching, speak to your teachers as early as possible.

How can I find the specification for my exam board?

Every exam board publishes a detailed specification (also called a syllabus) on their website. Just search for "AQA A Level Law specification," "OCR A Level Law specification," or "Eduqas A Level Law specification." The spec lists every topic, assessment objective, and paper structure. Your teacher will have a copy too, so ask them if you're not sure where to find it.

Final Thoughts

A Level Law is content-heavy, there's no getting around it. But knowing exactly what's on your exam board makes it so much more manageable.

Use this guide as your revision map. Check which board you're doing, highlight the topics you need to focus on, and structure your revision around the papers you'll actually sit.

Don't waste time learning content that's not on your syllabus. Stick to what matters for your exams.

And if you're ever unsure about what's included, or which optional topics your school has chosen, just ask your teacher. They'll confirm exactly what you need to know.

References 

• AQA (opens in a new tab)

• OCR (opens in a new tab)

• CIE (opens in a new tab)

• Eduqas/WJEC (opens in a new tab)