
Law and Practice - HND
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September 2025 — UCAS code 039M
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....
24 points required
Calculate UCAS pointsClearing places available
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award HND
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location Matthew Boulton Campus, Birmingham Metropolitan College
This course is:
Overview
Clearing 2025
24 points (or equivalent) is the minimum you will need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out your points.
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.
24 points (or equivalent) is the minimum you will need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out your points.
Essential requirements
64 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
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
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
- £9,535 in 2025/26
- Apply via Clearing
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Places available to start in September
If you'd like to start this course full-time this September, you can apply through Clearing.
International and part-time students can apply online as normal using the links above.
Want to start in September 2026? You can apply via UCAS from September 2025.
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.
*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):
Legal writing is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. This module has been designed to help you to develop essential academic skills required to be successful on the HND Law and Practice Course and to help your transition onto the second year of the Law Degree at Birmingham City University. The Module will provide you with academic writing skills to prepare you for your future study in law. This Module aligns with the modules Legal Research and Legal Thinking and aims to introduce the typical written communication skills demonstrated by legal practitioners. You will explore the use of IRAC in the writing of legal advice and you will apply the principles of formal writing to draft a range of documents in the context of legal practice including letters, emails, reports, attendance notes and memoranda. This module will also further emphasise the importance of proof reading before submitting work to assist in the development of academic assessments. You will also explore and develop the effective use of Artificial Intelligence as a tool to assist with formal writing.
Legal thinking is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. This module has been designed to help you to develop essential academic skills required to be successful on the HND Law and Practice Course and to help your transition onto the second year of the Law Degree at Birmingham City University. This module provides a comprehensive exploration of the principles, methods, and applications of legal thinking within the context of the UK legal system. Through a combination of theoretical study, case analysis, and practical exercises, you will engage with key concepts and theories to enhance your ability to think like legal professionals. The Module will provide you with analytical and critical reasoning skills to prepare you for your future study in law. You will begin with developing your presentation skills as a group before progressing on to individual presentations later in the course. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your further study in all modules on the HND Law and Practice Course.
Legal research is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. This module has been designed to help you to develop essential academic skills required to be successful on the HND Law and Practice Course and to help your transition onto the second year of the Law Degree at Birmingham City University. The Module will provide you with academic research skills to prepare you for your future study in law. This module introduces students to the principles, methods, and resources used in legal research. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical exercises, students will develop the skills necessary to locate, evaluate, and analyse legal information effectively. You will explore the use of OSCOLA referencing and you will apply the principles to a SWOT analysis. This module will also further emphasise the importance of academic integrity to assist in the development of future academic assessments. You will also explore and develop the effective use of Artificial Intelligence as a tool to assist with legal research. This will assist with understanding how your future career operates in a global and changing society in addition using subject specific knowledge and transferable skills to achieve future success. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study in the Reflective Practitioner Module in year two of the HND Law and Practice Course at Level 5.
Law of Tort is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The module will provide you with an appreciation of the law of negligence and its function in dispute resolution. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study should you progress onto the LLB degree and select ADR as your optional module. It introduces the concepts and principles of the Tort of Negligence.
The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in Legal Writing, Legal Research and Legal Thinking in Semester One at Level 4 in addition to English Legal Systems. The module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to written communication, research, and problem-solving. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study, professional qualification courses and future employment. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success. This aligns with UN Sustainability Goal 4 regarding Quality Education, and links with acquisition of aspects of Goal 8 regarding transition to work. You will utilise the written skills that you have previously developed to identify and analyse the law on Negligence and produce written legal advice to solve the problem. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. This will include guest speakers to provide you with insights from practice to assist with navigating your career or study options. They will also encourage application of subject specific knowledge and identify how these transferable skills will help to achieve future success. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
Law of Tort is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The module will provide you with an appreciation of the law of negligence and its function in dispute resolution. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study should you progress onto the LLB degree and select ADR as your optional module. It introduces the concepts and principles of the Tort of Negligence.
The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in Legal Writing, Legal Research and Legal Thinking in Semester One at Level 4 in addition to English Legal Systems. The module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to written communication, research, and problem-solving. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study, professional qualification courses and future employment. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success. This aligns with UN Sustainability Goal 4 regarding Quality Education, and links with acquisition of aspects of Goal 8 regarding transition to work. You will utilise the written skills that you have previously developed to identify and analyse the law on Negligence and produce written legal advice to solve the problem. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. This will include guest speakers to provide you with insights from practice to assist with navigating your career or study options. They will also encourage application of subject specific knowledge and identify how these transferable skills will help to achieve future success. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
English Legal System is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice. This module will provide you with foundational knowledge of the English Legal System as well as relevant transferable skills for successful legal study. The module will give you an overview of the key characteristics of English law to help you appreciate many of the other legal areas studied on this course and how they interact with each other. You will appreciate how systems of precedent and statutory interpretation work in the administration of English law today as well as look at other characteristics such as the court hierarchy and the people involved in law making. This aligns with UN Sustainability Goal 16 relating to Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through awareness and importance of legal systems. As well as enhancing your knowledge in law generally the module will develop the skills upon which to understand and apply legal concepts and principles. The module provides foundational knowledge to support your study in Contract Law & Tort Law at Level 4 of the HND in addition to Criminal Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law and Law of the European Union which you will encounter at Level 5 & 6 on the Law Degree.
Second Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Contract Law II is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. This module explores more advanced topics of contract law by building on the skills and knowledge you acquired in Contract Law I at Level 4 and the transferrable skills you developed in year one of the HND Law and Practice Course. You will develop further your use of the IRAC methodology (Identify, Rules, Application and Conclusion), for solving legal problems. As with Contract Law I, both the content of the Module and the Learning Outcomes are organised accordingly to provide opportunities for you to practice this methodology in the field of Contract Law. The module starts with a review of the rules relating to the formation of a valid contract (offer, acceptance, intention, capacity and consideration) as the background for more advanced aspects of Contract Law. You will also explore those vitiating factors which may affect the enforcement of contracts and an understanding of duress, economic duress, undue influence and misrepresentation. You will also explore how a contract can be discharged providing you with opportunities to develop an understanding of breach and the remedies that may be awarded in Contract Law. The Module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study in the module Introduction to Business Law and promotes an awareness of the importance of Contract law in society and its economic development. Further to this, the module also provides foundational knowledge in Contract Law relevant to other aspects of Law which you will encounter in Land Law at Level 5 on the Law Degree.
Criminal Justice 1 is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system from pre trial procedures to sentencing. It will examine key concepts such as pre-trial processes, the role of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), suspect rights, bail, trial procedures, sentencing guidelines, the judiciary, and the role of juries and magistrates. The module also provides foundational knowledge to support your study in the Criminal Law Module at Level 5 of the LLB degree.
Through practical case analysis, you will develop a critical awareness of the complexities and challenges within the criminal justice system. You will enhance your knowledge and skills in this area in preparation for Criminal Justice II which you will study in semester 2.
The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in your first year at Level 4. You will apply those transferable skills such as oral communication to feed into discussions and debates, working in a team to develop your interpersonal skills. The module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to oral communication, research, and team working. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study, professional qualification courses and future employment in criminal justice. You will gain work related learning to significantly increase your confidence for work readiness through authentic assessment approaches which will support your academic success. You will develop your analytical skills through the analysis of data and statistics and will also develop your ability to manage your time effectively. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
Reflective Practitioner is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The module will give you the opportunity to think about your personal and professional aspirations after this course and will support you to enter the world of work or transition to studying at degree level.
The module will encourage you to reflect upon this in the form of a personal audit demonstrating areas for personal development as well as identifying opportunities and threats to your performance that could translate into the workplace or further study. The outcome of developing these skills will be crucial in your ability to make a successful transition either to the world of work or future study at degree level. The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in Legal Writing in Semester One at Level 4. You will apply those transferable skills to develop your own personal development planning (PDP). The module content has been designed to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to career planning, communication, and reflection. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for future employment. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success. You will begin with developing your reflection skills before progressing on to personal development plans. You will recognise and articulate your personal strengths & weaknesses through potential.ly in addition to practicing self-reflection to enable you to develop your understanding of what is important to you and your personal values. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
Criminal Justice II is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice. The module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system as it pertains to prisons, probation, and the treatment of adult and young offenders. Through theoretical exploration and practical case studies, you will examine the functions, challenges, and controversies surrounding these aspects of criminal justice.
This module explores more advanced topics of Criminal Justice by building on the skills and knowledge you acquired in Criminal Justice I in Semester 1 and is designed to give you the opportunity to engage in a critical and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of crime and criminal justice practice. You will develop your understanding of key concepts and theoretical perspectives that relate to the study of crime and deviance and of the criminal justice system. This aligns with Goal 16 of the UN Sustainability Goals (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) in that it concerns the importance of functional criminal justice systems to society. In addition to this, you will comprehend the distinctive characteristics of criminal justice and the discipline of criminology alongside understanding crime and criminal justice policies in the UK context and outside of this context.
The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in Legal Writing, Legal Research and Legal Thinking in Semester One at Level 4 in addition to Criminal Justice I. You will apply those transferable skills to deliver effective oral presentations and identify ethical issues in social research. The module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to communication and research. The module focuses on these skills because they are valued by employers and offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study or professional qualification courses. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
Introduction to Business Law is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The module will provide you with an introduction to the relevant legal principles and rules encountered in the Business Law Module that you will go on to study if you progress onto the LLB Law degree. The module also provides an overview of key areas in business law and practice such as: the different types of business entity (sole traders, partnerships and companies); factors which influence a person’s choice of business medium; liability in business; and creating partnerships and limited companies. It will also cover the legal regulation in the planning and creation process of a business and the successful running of that business once it has been created within a legal context combining practical experiential & subject specific knowledge.
The Module will build upon the transferable skills you will have developed in Contract law I & II. You will apply those transferable skills to legal problems. The module content has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferrable employability skills, particularly those related to communication, research, commercial awareness and problem-solving. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study, professional qualification courses and future employment in the business world. This approach aligns with Goal 8 of the UN Sustainability Goals in that it addresses key skills important for the transition to work. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success. It will provide you with opportunities to articulate hard and soft skills by developing your written presentation skills in relation to a legal problem before progressing on to a business report when studying Business Law on the LLB. This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures, workshops and directed self-study periods. Feedback opportunities will be provided throughout to ensure that you can confidently complete the assessments on the module.
Introduction to Land Law is a compulsory module on the HND Law and Practice Course. The Module will provide you with an introduction to relevant legal principles and rules encountered in the Land Law and Property Practice Module that you will go on to study if you progress onto the LLB Law degree. The Module is aimed at providing you with an understanding of the relevant legal principles relating to the definition of land, legal interests in land and legal rights in and over the land.
The Module will build upon the transferrable skills that you will have developed in Legal Writing, Legal Research and Legal Thinking in Semester One at Level 4. You will apply those transferable skills to provide effective advice in relation to a client's legal problem. The module has been designed to improve your knowledge of the substantive law as well as to prioritise the development of key transferable employability skills, particularly in relation to oral and written communication, research and problem solving. The module focuses on these skills because they offer a solid foundation for those of you wishing to progress to further academic study, professional qualification courses and future employment. You will be provided with experiential learning to increase your confidence for work readiness. The approach to learning and assessment on this module will support your academic success.
Download course specification
Download nowHow 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.
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