Law and Practice - HND - 2025/26 Entry | Birmingham City University

Overview

The Higher National Diploma (HND) Law and Practice offers you a thorough grounding in English civil and criminal law whilst providing you knowledge and expertise in other areas of legal practice typical today.

During the course you will study selected foundation areas of English law in addition to more specialised areas such as business and environmental law. A focus of the course is bridging the gap between your knowledge of legal theory and the ability to apply this law using recognised skills to typical issues in everyday life.

Whilst also developing academic skills to underpin your successful legal study, the course gives you the opportunity to create and refine typical transferable skills that are useful for working with others. By implementing established techniques of communication to present oral and written legal advice in a meaningful way, you will present legal arguments to a range of audiences based on a variety of simulated legal issues. Typical specialist skills that you will develop whilst on the course include legal drafting, conducting research, alternative dispute resolution and advocacy.

Successful completion of the HND Law and Practice opens up a variety of career possibilities as well as the possibility of further legal study such as the LLB degree. For professions such as traditional careers in legal practice like solicitor or barrister as well as professions in areas related to law the HND Law and Practice provides a solid foundation in legal understanding giving you a competitive edge where having an understanding of law and legal process is an advantage. You will be taught using a variety of methods and assessed in a range of ways designed to develop and enhance your legal knowledge and the command of practical skills to apply that knowledge.

What's covered in this course?

The course is based at Birmingham Metropolitan College and this is where you will receive all scheduled teaching for the course in addition to accessing learning resources and student services to help support you throughout the course. In addition to being a student of Birmingham Metropolitan College you will also be a student of Birmingham City University with access to additional learning resources, buildings and study space at the university to help you be successful on the course. Throughout the year you will be invited to participate in relevant activities that have been designed for you to showcase your legal skills and develop your peer and professional networks.

Successful completion of this HND provides you with a nationally recognised qualification at Level 5. If you would like to pursue further studies in law post successful completion of this course then you will be eligible for advanced entry to level 5 of the LLB degree at Birmingham City University. So as to complete all the core foundation areas of English law you will study modules at levels 5 and 6, it is not possible to directly enter the degree at Level 6 (Year Three).

Why Choose Us?

The course is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board as providing exemptions from the academic stage of training.
On successful completion you will exit with a Level 5 Award receiving both the Higher National Diploma and a Certificate in Higher Education. This entitles you to progress to the second year of the LLB (Hons) Law course at the University should you wish to continue your studies.
You will attend both the University and Birmingham Metropolitan College, enjoying the advanced facilities of both institutions, and sharing ideas and perspectives with full-time LLB students.
You will see inside the legal world on placement modules, gaining confidence, competence and professional contacts such as St Philips Chambers.

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

64 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

Qualification	Entry requirements
A Level / AS Level	A Level: 64 UCAS Tariff points / CC (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of three subjects will be considered Excluded subjects: General Studies; Critical Thinking
Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate)	64 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
Access to HE Diploma	Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications	64 UCAS Tariff points
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications	64 UCAS Tariff points
WJEC Level 3 qualifications	64 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)	Minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher	64 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)

If you're applying with an International Baccalaureate Diploma or international qualifications, please see further information below.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: HND

Starting: Sep 2025

Full Time
2 years
£9,535 in 2025/26 ^{✱ Important note for this price}
Apply via UCAS

(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy. We suggest budgeting approximately £350 for this.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS and complete your details
Select your course and write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee and submit your application

Personal statement

UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Worried about Personal Statements?

If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

First Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Criminal Law 1: Offences Against the Person 20 credits

Criminal Law 2: Offences Against Property 20 credits

Law of Torts 1 20 credits

Law of Torts 2 20 credits

English Legal System and Method 20 credits

Resolving Disputes 20 credits

Second Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Contract Law 1 20 credits

Contract Law 2 20 credits

Business Law and Practice 20 credits

Principles of Environmental Law and Policy 20 credits

The Reflective Practitioner 1 20 credits

The Reflective Practitioner 2 20 credits

Download course specification

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How you learn

You will study all the core modules from the first year of the LLB Law degree at Birmingham City University. These include Criminal Law, Law of Tort and Contract Law and are split between year one and year two of the HND Law and Practice course. Successful completion of these LLB core modules will give you a Certificate in Higher Education and entitle you to progress to the second year of the LLB course.

Additionally, you will choose from a range of module options related to aspects of Law such as Family Law and Land Law. These will enable you to further your interest in psychology, forensic science or litigation.

Assessment of HND-specific modules is varied; you will be writing reports, engaging in research and making oral presentations to your peers.

Further Study

As a successful graduate of the HND you would be eligible to continue to stage two of any of the LLB degrees. For more information please see the courses section of the website.

Employability

Enhancing your employability skills

The HND is a vocational qualification highly regarded by employers. This course will prepare you particularly, although not exclusively, for employment in the expanding field of paralegal work.

If you wish to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, you will have the opportunity to complete an LLB degree at Birmingham City University.

Employability is embedded into our HND courses with a compulsory skills module - Skills, Processes and Scholarship - which will focus on preparing you for finding a job and being successful in the workplace.

The University's has a thriving Mooting Society who:

Organise a range of internal mooting and social activities throughout the academic year
Enter mooting teams in a variety of prestigious national mooting competitions including the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting, Oxford University Press, English Speaking Union and the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Competition.
Have reached five finals of national mooting competitions in the past eight years.
Have beaten eight of the elite Russell Group of universities in the past eight years.

Placements

The work placement module in your second year of the HND Law and Practice course enables you to gain valuable work experience, yet at the same time achieve academic credit. By finding suitable work experience in a legal environment, you will forge contacts with legal professionals which could prove invaluable at the end of your studies when you are seeking full-time positions. It is your responsibility to find an appropriate placement and you will receive support from Birmingham Metropolitan College in this process.

More about our placement opportunities

Facilities & Staff

College facilities

BMET's Matthew Boulton College boasts an amazing range of specialist teaching and learning facilities including;

Podiatry clinic
Graphic design studio
Fashion studio
Print shop
Dentistry suite
Samsung’s digital technology lab
Recording studios
Working radio station

Alongside these areas there are excellent social spaces including a Starbucks, an on-site canteen and an excellent gym – so you can de-stress and relax in whichever way you prefer.

Our staff

Tracey Cooper

Director of International Recruitment and Development | Director of Staff Professional Development

Tracey Cooper is the Director of Educational and Professional Development at BCU, prior to this she held the role of LLB Programme Director for 7 years. Her teaching areas are Land Law, Contract Law and ADR. She obtained her LLB with the Open University and LLM with the University of Wolverhampton.

More about Tracey