Certificate in Applied Law

Course Code

Certificate

Course Type

Course Duration

2 Years

Start Date

1 September, 2025
Students doing mock trial

Applied Law at Central Saint Michael’s combines practical learning with real-world application, providing you with an understanding of how law operates in everyday life. Law is the study of the rules and principles that regulate society, established by institutions to govern the behaviour of individuals and organisations. We will focus on how these legal principles are applied in real scenarios.

Content Overview

In Year 1, you will explore the structure of the legal system, examining the roles of legal professionals and the judiciary and an introduction to the tort of negligence. You will also be introduced to criminal law, delving into the different types of non fatal offences, the essential elements that constitute a crime, and the principles of sentencing. This foundational knowledge equips you with the tools to understand the law’s impact on society and its practical application.

In Year 2, you will delve deeper into Tort law, exploring the principles and rules governing civil cases. The course also covers more serious criminal offences, such as murder, manslaughter, theft, and robbery, providing a comprehensive understanding of these crimes. Additionally, we will examine police powers and the range of defences available to the accused, ensuring you gain a thorough understanding of both criminal and civil law in practice.

Year 1 
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Law

Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil Law (Written Exam)
This unit explores how legal disputes are resolved in civil cases, such as those involving contract disputes and negligence.
Topics covered:
– Civil courts and tribunals
– Methods of dispute resolution (e.g. mediation, arbitration, litigation)
– The process of taking a case to court and the roles of legal professionals involved

Unit 2: Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law (Coursework)
This unit provides an in-depth study of criminal law, focusing on different types of crime and criminal procedures.
Topics covered:
– Elements of criminal liability (actus reus and mens rea)
– Categories of crimes (e.g. violent crimes, property crimes)
– The criminal justice process (from arrest to sentencing)

Year 2
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Law

Unit 3: Applying the Law (Written Exam)
This unit is designed to provide students with practical skills, applying the law to real-life case studies and scenarios.
Topics covered:
– Real-world application of law through case studies
– Drafting legal documents and providing legal advice
– Investigating how laws are applied in specific situations (e.g. contracts, personal injury claims, or criminal defence)

Unit 7: Tort Law (Coursework)
This unit focuses on the principles and rules governing civil wrongs (torts) that harm individuals or organisations, and the legal remedies available to victims.
Topics covered:
– Introduction to Tort Law and the key concepts
– Real world application of law through case studies
– Negligence and damages
– Occupier’s Liability and Nuisance

Students would normally have five good GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English Language, but we can discuss individual circumstances. You need a Pass grade in the first year to progress to the Extended Certificate.

– Virtual and in-person work experience opportunities with the Crown Prosecution Service
– International Women’s Day event hosted by the CPS
– Careers in law workshops with Aston University and the University of Law
– Tyro law mentoring programme
– Online work experience with Browne Jacobson
– ‘Describe the character of a good citizen’ with Birmingham City University
– Visits to Magistrates and Crown Court, the University of Law and law firms such as Freeths
– Student governance and leadership opportunities

For when you’re not studying, we offer a whole range of enrichment activities which are not only good fun but help you make friends, develop new skills and add to your CV and university applications. There are trips and visits to bring your studies to life, and you can get involved in sport, debating and many other activities.
Through the Student Union and our college committees, you can get involved in volunteering, enterprise, fundraising projects or the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. We run societies like the Medical Society for you to join and we organise events and festivals to celebrate our inclusive and diverse community. As for entertainment, we regularly host film nights and go on theatre trips to see live productions.

Learners are assessed with a combination of exams and coursework. You will have one exam in the first year and one exam in the second year. You will also have one coursework unit per year to complete.

The Applied Law qualification carries UCAS points and, if 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. You could also go into employment directly or via an apprenticeship.

Most of our students go to university and study for a degree in Law or a related subject such as Politics, History, Business or Sociology. The kind of careers that you might consider as a Law student are:

Lawyer (Solicitor or Barrister) – Specialise in areas such as constitutional, human rights, or public law, where political knowledge is especially useful.
Civil Servant – Work within government departments to help develop and implement public services and policies.
Political Journalist – Report on political events, elections, and government affairs for newspapers, television, or online platforms.
Law Teacher or Lecturer – Teach law, business or citizenship at secondary school, college or university level.
Politician – Represent your local area as a councillor or Member of Parliament (MP), helping to shape laws and public policy.
Paralegal – Support solicitors and barristers, handling legal admin, research, and drafting.
Judge – Preside over court proceedings. Usually a senior solicitor or barrister is appointed as a judge.

Course Details

Exam Board

Qualification

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