Law - AS

L3 Level 3
Full Time
3 September 2025 — 21 June 2026
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

About this course

The Law AS programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate. 

Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, learners may be able to take this qualification as a part-time student. 

The course includes two units covering legal structures and processes, legal reasoning and personnel.

What you will study

Unit 1: Understanding Legal Structures and Processes

  • The development of the common law system and the underlying influence of the rule of law, human rights and morality on our laws.
  • The court systems and the institutions of the European Union (includes a visit to the courts).
  • The criminal process including the granting of bail and jury trials.
  • The civil process including alternatives to the courts and the tribunal system.
  • Access to justice and the need for legal aid.

There is one written exam (1hr 30m) in January or June, which consists of answering two two-part essays.

Unit 2: Understanding legal reasoning and personnel

  • This involves studying the sources of law and looking at how they are used in the courts. Judicial precedent is case law decided by the judges. Statutory interpretation involves law made by Parliament and how judges interpret their words. Finally we examine European laws and how they impact on English law.
  • The personnel looks at the selection and roles of solicitors barristers judges and magistrates.

There is one written exam (1hr 30m) in January or June, which consists of two compulsory application questions where students use their knowledge of the sources of law to solve fictional scenarios.

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirements English Language B

Teaching and assessment

Two written exams

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

3 September 2025

End date

21 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
Maps & directions

Course code

ASCC3F12
L3

Qualification

Law - AS
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What our students say

“I met a lot of great people from various backgrounds and walks of life; I liked the diversity within the College. In my opinion the freedom that the College gave me towards my studies provided me with the tools I needed to be a more independent worker and have confidence to develop things on my own.”

Bianca Zerbini
Studying A Levels in Art and Maths and an A in Physics

Career prospects & further study

500

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!

On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:

  • Business Management
  • Law
  • Journalism
  • Politics
  • Teaching

Need to know

A Levels Learner

Scholars Programme

Gain the skills and support to succeed at top-level universities.
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Opportunities

CAVC offers lots of opportunities beyond your studies including a great enrichment programme and sporting opportunities.

Next steps

Find out more

Download a course guide for your area of interest.

Open Evenings

Visit us at one of ours sites, chat to tutors about your course of interest and see our great facilities for yourself.

Apply online

Applying to CAVC is easy and all online.

Locations

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE