What Is A Level Law?

Thinking about studying A Level Law but not quite sure what it involves? Law isn't taught at GCSE, so most students picking it for sixth form are going in blind.

Here's the good news: you don't need any prior knowledge. A Level Law is designed for complete beginners. You'll start from scratch and build up your understanding of how the legal system works, what makes something a crime, and how laws affect everyday life.

But what do you actually study? How hard is it? And is it worth choosing?

This guide answers all those questions. We'll explain what A Level Law is, how it's assessed, what skills you'll develop, and whether it's the right choice for you. By the end, you'll know exactly what to expect.

Key Takeaways

• A Level Law teaches you about criminal law, tort law, contract law, human rights, and how the legal system works. No prior knowledge needed.

• It's assessed through written exams only (no coursework), with a mix of scenarios, essays, and short answer questions.

• You'll develop skills like critical thinking, structuring arguments, and applying legal principles to real-life situations.

• A Level Law is brilliant preparation for careers in law, politics, journalism, business, and more. It's not just for future lawyers.

What Do You Learn in A Level Law?

A Level Law gives you a proper introduction to the English legal system and the laws that affect our everyday lives. Here's what you'll cover:

Criminal Law is one of the biggest topics. You'll study serious offences like murder, manslaughter, assault, and theft. You'll learn what makes something a crime, including the concepts of actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind). You'll also explore defences like self-defence, insanity, and intoxication.

Tort Law covers civil wrongs: situations where someone causes harm to another person and can be sued for it. The main focus is negligence, which is when someone fails to take proper care and causes injury or damage. You'll also study occupiers' liability (when someone gets injured on someone else's property) and nuisance (like noise complaints).

Contract Law or Human Rights Law (depending on your exam board). Contract law teaches you how legally binding agreements are made and what happens when they're broken. Human rights law explores the Human Rights Act 1998 and rights like freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and protection from torture.

The Nature of Law looks at the bigger picture. How are laws made? What's the difference between law and morality? How do judges interpret statutes? You'll explore the role of Parliament, the courts, and legal personnel like judges, barristers, and solicitors.

The best part? Everything you study connects to real life. You'll analyse actual court cases, apply legal principles to realistic scenarios, and understand the laws that affect you, your family, and society.

How Is A Level Law Assessed?

A Level Law is assessed entirely through written exams—there's no coursework, no presentations, and no practicals. Just exams.

Typical format: You'll sit three papers, each around two hours long. The exact structure varies slightly between exam boards, but the assessment style is similar across the board.

What's in the exams? You'll face a mix of question types:

• Scenario-based questions where you apply legal principles to a fictional situation. For example, you might read about a car accident and decide whether someone was negligent.

• Essay questions where you explain, analyse, and evaluate a legal topic.

• Short answer questions testing your knowledge of key legal concepts, cases, and legislation.

Skills assessed:

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding. Can you explain legal principles, cases, and statutes accurately?

• AO2: Application. Can you apply the law to real-life scenarios and work out what the outcome would be?

• AO3: Analysis and evaluation. Can you discuss strengths and weaknesses of the law, debate different viewpoints, and construct a logical argument?

Examiners want to see that you understand the law and can think critically about it. It's not just about memorising cases—it's about using them to build arguments and solve problems.

Which Exam Boards Offer A Level Law?

Four exam boards offer A Level Law in the UK: AQA (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab), CIE (opens in a new tab) and Eduqas/WJEC (opens in a new tab) . They all cover similar core topics but structure the content slightly differently.

AQA splits the course into three papers: Criminal Law, Tort Law, and Contract/Human Rights Law. It's the most popular exam board for Law and widely recognised. Check out our AQA A Level Law course overview for more information.

OCR includes the Legal System, Law Making, Criminal Law, Tort Law, and an optional topic. Paper 3 is synoptic, meaning it tests your ability to link different areas of law together. Check out our OCR A Level Law course overview for more.

CIE Arranges its course around four key papers. You’ll look at the Legal System, Criminal Law, Law of Contract and Tort Law. Check out our CIE A Level Law course overview for more information.

Eduqas/WJEC includes Welsh legal content alongside English law, making it particularly relevant for students in Wales. It covers Criminal Law, Tort Law, Contract Law, Human Rights, and legal theory. Check out our Eduqas A Level Law course overview.

Here's a quick comparison:

Your school or college will choose which exam board to use, so you don't need to pick one yourself. But it's worth knowing which one you're doing so you can revise the right content.

Check out our article on the topics in each A Level Law course.

Do You Need Any Prior Knowledge to Study A Level Law?

Nope. Not at all.

A Level Law assumes you're starting from zero. You don't need to have studied Law before (because it's not a GCSE subject), and you don't need any legal experience.

That said, certain skills will make the course easier:

• Strong reading and writing skills are essential. You'll read lots of case law, statutes, and legal articles. You'll also write long, structured essays under exam conditions. If you enjoyed GCSE English Language or History, you'll probably enjoy Law.

• Interest in current events helps too. Law is all around us—criminal trials, human rights debates, contract disputes. If you follow the news or enjoy discussing real-world issues, you'll find the content engaging.

• Logical thinking is key. Law isn't about memorising facts. It's about applying rules to situations, spotting problems, and constructing arguments. If you like problem-solving or debating, you'll thrive.

The most important thing is curiosity. If you're interested in how the legal system works and want to understand the laws that shape society, you're ready for A Level Law.

What Skills Do You Develop in A Level Law?

A Level Law isn't just about learning legal rules. It's about developing skills that'll help you in university, work, and life.

• Critical thinking. You'll constantly evaluate laws, ask whether they're fair, and consider different perspectives. Should the defence of insanity be reformed? Is the law on negligence too strict? You'll learn to think deeply and question everything.

• Logical argument and debate. Law teaches you how to structure an argument, back it up with evidence, and present it clearly. You'll learn to see both sides of an issue and defend your position.

• Structured essay writing. You'll write loads of essays, all following a clear structure: introduce the issue, explain the law, apply it, and evaluate it. This skill is invaluable at university, no matter what subject you study.

• Applying rules to real-life situations. You'll take legal principles and work out how they'd apply in practice. This kind of problem-solving transfers brilliantly to careers in business, politics, and public policy.

• Analytical reading. You'll analyse court judgments, statutes, and legal commentary. You'll learn to pull out key information, spot inconsistencies, and understand complex texts.

These are transferable skills. Even if you don't become a lawyer, A Level Law will make you a better thinker, writer, and communicator.

Check out the Save My Exams A Level Law revision materials to find out more detail. 

Who Is A Level Law Best For?

A Level Law suits students who enjoy:

Problem-solving. If you like puzzles, working through scenarios, and figuring out answers based on rules, you'll love Law.

Structured arguments. Law is all about building logical, well-evidenced arguments. If you enjoy debating or explaining your reasoning, this subject will feel natural.

Reading and analysing real cases. You'll study actual court cases and learn how judges reached their decisions. If you find that kind of detective work interesting, Law is for you.

Understanding how society works. Law affects everything—crime, contracts, human rights, accidents, disputes. If you're curious about how rules shape the world around you, this subject will keep you engaged.

It's also brilliant preparation for careers in:

• Law (obviously)

• Politics and public policy

• Journalism and media

• Business and management

• Social work and criminal justice

But here's the thing: you don't have to want to be a lawyer to study A Level Law. Loads of students take it because they find it interesting, not because they're planning a legal career. The skills you develop are useful everywhere.

Where Can A Level Law Take You?

University: A Level Law is a solid preparation for studying Law at degree level. It gives you a head start on legal terminology, case analysis, and essay structure. However, most universities don't require A Level Law to study Law at degree level. They're happy to accept students with no legal background.

That said, having A Level Law can make the first year of a Law degree feel less overwhelming. You'll already understand concepts like actus reus, negligence, and contract formation.

Apprenticeships: If you're interested in legal careers but don't want to go to university, A Level Law is brilliant for apprenticeships in legal services. You'll have practical knowledge that employers value.

Other degrees: A Level Law isn't just for future lawyers. The skills you develop—critical thinking, essay writing, logical reasoning—are transferable to any degree. Studying Politics, History, Business, Criminology, or Sociology? A Level Law will give you a strong foundation.

Transferable skills: Even if you change your mind about your career path, A Level Law teaches you how to think, argue, and write clearly. Those skills are useful in any job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take A Level Law with no prior knowledge?

Absolutely. A Level Law is designed for complete beginners. You'll start from scratch and build up your knowledge over two years. No legal experience or prior study is required. As long as you're comfortable reading, writing, and thinking critically, you're ready to start.

Do universities like A Level Law?

Yes, but it's not essential. Most universities don't require A Level Law to study Law at degree level. They're happy to accept students who've studied traditional subjects like History, English, or Politics. That said, A Level Law definitely helps. It gives you a head start and shows universities you're genuinely interested in the subject.

Can A Level Law help if I want to study something else at uni?

Definitely. A Level Law develops skills that are useful across loads of subjects—critical thinking, structured essay writing, logical reasoning, and analytical reading. If you're planning to study Politics, Criminology, History, Sociology, Business, or even English, A Level Law will give you a strong foundation. It's not just for future lawyers.

Final Thoughts

A Level Law is a rigorous, rewarding subject for students who enjoy structure, reading, and analysis.

You don't need any prior experience—just curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to think critically. The course will teach you everything you need to know, from how laws are made to how they're applied in real-life situations.

 A Level Law isn't just about preparing for a legal career. It's about developing skills that'll help you in any future path, whether university, apprenticeships, or straight into work.

You'll learn how to construct arguments, solve problems, and understand the world around you. You'll read real court cases, debate controversial issues, and apply legal principles to everyday situations.

If you're curious about how the legal system works, enjoy debating and problem-solving, and want to develop skills that'll set you up for the future, A Level Law is a brilliant choice.

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)