Law and Practice - HND
- UCAS Code: 039M
- Level: Undergraduate
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: Full Time (2 years)
- Location: Birmingham Metropolitan College
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 abilty 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 the 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 held by the School of Law at Birmingham City University 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 and gain a qualifying law degree.
- 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.
Find out more
Open Days
Our Virtual Open Day for this course will take place on 22 November 2020. Book now and we will email you with a link to the Virtual Open Day for your subject area of choice.
Register your interest
This course is not open to International students
Discover the School of Law
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
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CC or 64 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a maximum of 2 A Levels. |
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| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, at the point of enrolment. Equivalent qualifications will be considered. Plus, you must have achieved or be completing one of the following: |
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| UK Qualification | Requirements 2020/21 | |
| A Level / AS Level | CC at A Level (64 points). A maximum of three subjects are considered, excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking. | |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 60 credits overall. Minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 18 of of which must be achieved at merit or distinction in a related subject. | |
| BTEC National Diploma | MM in a related subject area. | |
| BTEC Extended Diploma | MPP (64 points) in a related subject area. | |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma | Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum total of 64 UCAS points. | |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma |
Obtain 24 points overall.Students who do not complete the IB Diploma and who achieve the minimum of 10 points or above from two Higher Level Subjects will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates and alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 64 UCAS Tariff Points. |
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| Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) | 64 UCAS Tariff Points in four subjects (must include English). | |
| Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | DD. Maximum of two Advanced Highers can be considered together. | |
| Other qualifications | ||
| If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications to 64 points are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
From two A Levels and a minimum of grade 4 GCSE English
- UK students
- International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
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
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS 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.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Additional costs
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements).
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Accommodation and living costs
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.
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.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Year one
All modules on the course are compulsory and in your first year you will study: |
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English Legal System and Method
20 credits
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Criminal Law 1
20 credits
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Criminal Law 2
20 credits
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Law of Tort 1
20 credits
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Law of Tort 2
20 credits
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Resolving Disputes
20 credits
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Year two
In your second year, you will study: |
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Contract Law 1
20 credits
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Contract Law 2
20 credits
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Business Law and Practice
20 credits
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The Reflective Practitioner 1
20 credits
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The Reflective Practitioner 2
20 credits
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Principles of Environmental Law and Policy
20 credits
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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.
Study and work abroad
If you are interested in undertaking part of your studies abroad, the Erasmus scheme may be of interest to you. It allows higher education students to study for part of their degree in another European country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and experience new cultures. If you study with us you will have access to an Erasmus co-ordinator, who can provide information about which institutions we have links with.
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. The core modules studied are recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board as forming part of a ‘qualifying’ Law degree if you complete your LLB with us.
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.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
Graduate jobs
Many former HND students have completed the LLB degree with Birmingham City University and have gone on to qualify as solicitors and barristers. Entry into the legal professional is competitive so it is essential that you example the necessary commitment and hard work for success right from the start of your studies.
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at the City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Law, Business, Social Sciences and English courses
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The facilities at the Curzon building include two bespoke Law Courtrooms, replicating a Crown court and a Magistrates court. These rooms will play a key part in your learning experience, allowing you to try your hand in mock court cases, whilst also being the venue for our Mooting and Debating Societies.
On top of this, the Curzon building houses an extensive Law library, with books covering every aspect of Law history.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Safina Din
Senior Lecturer and Link Tutor for HND Legal Studies
Safina Din is a Senior Lecturer in Law who teaches Skills, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law and Asylum and Immigration on the LLB programme. She also teaches Legal Processes with Criminal Law on the BA Criminal Investigations Programme and Refugees and the Law on the LLM IHR programme.
Tracey Cooper
Director of Educational and 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.