Course Overview
The Certificate of Higher Education in Law provides students with a structured introduction to legal study through four Level 4 modules. Together, these modules develop core academic and analytical skills while offering foundational knowledge of key areas of English law. It equips students with an essential grounding in legal systems, legal skills, legal reasoning and critical reflection and analysis.
The Cert HE is designed both as a standalone qualification and as a pathway into further legal study. The programme delivers three of the seven ‘Foundations of Legal Knowledge’ as required for law degrees by the Bar Standards Board for the academic stage of professional qualification. Successful completion may enable students to progress into the second year of an LLB at a range of universities, subject to their specific entry and progression requirements.
Curriculum
Entry Requirements
To apply for this course, one of the following academic qualifications is required:
UCAS 112 points.
Applicants applying with qualifications from outside the UK should refer to our Find Your Country webpages for details of accepted qualifications https://www.bbk.ac.uk/international/country some examples below:
Country - Qualification Name - Minimum Grade / Score
Romania - Diploma de Bacalaureat - Grade 8 or higher
Bulgaria - Diploma za sredno obrazovanie - Grade 5.2 or higher
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato - Grade 75 or higher
Spain - Titulo de Bachiller - Grade 7.5 or higher
Hungary - Érettségi Bizonyítvány - Grade 3 or higher
Note: This list is indicative and not exhaustive
There are no time restrictions on the date of achievement for either UK or EU/Overseas qualification.
Alternative route of entry:
Suitability for this programme is not exclusively limited to academic qualifications and may be demonstrated through relevant professional experience which showcases transferable skills and knowledge. It will include:
Personal Learning Statement 300 words: short reflective narrative describing how professional and life experiences have built relevant skills).
Work experience via provided APEL form and verification (e.g. payslip and/or reference).
Other external Admissions Tests including English Language test and interview.
Internal Law test.
All applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level of the Common European Framework (CEFR). A wide range of academic English qualifications and English tests are accepted as evidence of an applicant’s language ability, which include:
GCSE English Language grade 4/C or above.
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6 in each component.
William College Internal English Assessment.
Progression Opportunities
Graduates can continue on a pathway toward professional legal qualification, or pursue diverse careers in the legal profession, policy work and the civil service, for example.
William College offers a range of careers support to its students. You can find out more on the careers pages of our website.
Teaching & Assessment
Your learning and teaching is organised to help you meet the learning outcomes of the course. As a student, we expect you to be an active learner and to take responsibility for your learning, engaging with all of the material and sessions arranged for you.
Teaching on this course is a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures are designed to provide you with an outline or overview of the topic, to engage you with the material and direct you to other resources. They are a springboard for your own learning. Seminars are group sessions where you will be asked to contribute to discussion or group work around the topic, with material set in advance for which you need to prepare.
The course will use a variety of assessment methods. Assessment is used to enhance your learning rather than simply to test it. For most of the modules associated with this course, your assessment will be through the following types of assessment:
- In-class tests
- Exams (Multiple Choice; Problem Scenarios; Essay Style Questions, etc.)
- Coursework
- Problem questions
- In-class engagement exercises
- Group presentations