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.

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.