Law and Practice - HND
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
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....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location Matthew Boulton Campus, Birmingham Metropolitan College
- Award HND
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Law
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
This course is:
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 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.
- 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.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
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.
64 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.
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
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.
*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
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