Criminal justice system is “badly run and badly led” - says Michael Gove, former Lord Chancellor Find out more

Certificate of Higher Education

Certificate of Higher Education in Law Online

This one-year, full-time online program offers you the chance to explore the field of law without committing to a full degree. You'll complete six Level 4 subjects, and upon successfully finishing the Certificate of Higher Education in Law, you’ll be eligible to apply for the University’s LLB. If you meet the necessary requirements, you can receive recognition for the modules you've completed and join the LLB program in Year 2.

If you have set your sights on other careers, such as politics, business or journalism, the transferable skills you will learn on your law program will provide an excellent launch pad for these ambitions and more. With our professionally focused qualification, you can expect to learn practical skills coupled with a focus on your future employability.

Studying at our Online campus provides you with the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience, and employability focus. 

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Key Facts

Entry requirements

A Level: DDC

UCAS Tariff Points: 80*

GCSE: English Language Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent

*From three A Levels or equivalent

Course requirements ➔

Entry requirements

Duration options

1 year 

Next start date

January 2025

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Apply Direct

 

You don't need to apply through UCAS to study one of our online courses.

 

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Ranked Top 10 in the UK for Teaching in the 2024 National Student Survey.

We are one of the UK's longest-established specialist providers of legal education and have trained more practising lawyers in the UK than anyone else.

We've been awarded an overall Silver rating, with a Gold rating for Student Experience and Silver rating for the Student Outcomes in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for 2023.

Course Details

Certificate of Higher Education in Law Online

If you’re looking to pursue a career in the legal or wider commercial sector, but want to study in a more flexible way, then this 100% online law degree could be the course for you.

This Certificate of Higher Education in Law combines a practical focus with a strong emphasis on employability. With over 90% of lecturers being qualified solicitors or barristers, students benefit from peer reviews and one-to-one feedback.

The course offers a deep dive into key legal topics, building essential skills in analysis, research, problem-solving, and communication through practical activities and engaging content.

When you study an online program with us you receive:

  • The highest standard of online teaching from experienced professionals
  • Access to loads of online resources to help your studies
  • Access to a large specialist careers service and pro bono clinics
  • A variety of specialist modules to enhance employment prospects

Students will complete 10 e-learning units per module, supported by self-study using e-books and online resources. Each unit includes virtual group sessions, knowledge checks, and instant feedback. Tasks will focus on analysis, discussion, and presentations, with six tasks and a mock assessment per module, plus individual tutor feedback. Additionally, two interactive sessions per module will offer study support, revision guidance, and the opportunity to ask questions.

Course Structure

Semester 1

Compulsory modules include:

Common Law Method and Ethics

This module introduces you to the English legal system and looks at how to interpret statutes and the doctrine of precedent. You'll also examine how law is created and the structure of the English court system. This will enable you to understand how laws are created and interpreted. Within Ethics, you will consider different approaches to ethical issues, including the social and ethical context of the legal profession.

Academic and Digital Skills

This module develops the academic and digital skills which you will need for both your studies and the workplace, including using the University’s VLE and other relevant platforms and software, legal research and referencing, academic integrity, communication skills, and how to analyse and answer legal problems. 

Contract Law

In this module you will consider the elements of a contract, different types of contractual terms, remedies for breach of contract and the circumstances when remedies can be excluded.  You will also look at connected areas such as misrepresentation, duress, and undue influence.

Semester 2

Compulsory modules include:

The Law of Tort

Tort is a key area of law and considers acts and omissions that give rise to injury or harm to another and amount to a civil wrong. You will consider topics such as trespass to the person, negligence, product liability, employer liability, occupiers’ liability, trespass to land and private nuisance. You will also look at the remedies available when an action in Tort succeeds.

Public Law

This module looks at sources of the UK constitution and principles such as the rule of law, separation of powers and parliamentary supremacy. Also, how the lawfulness of decisions and actions made by public bodies are challenged through exploring the grounds for judicial review and the remedies available. You will learn about the place EU Law has within the UK constitution and consider the key rights and freedoms incorporated into UK law through the Human Rights Act.

Criminal Law

This module gives an overview of the criminal justice system and helps to develop an understanding of the principles of criminal liability. You will look at different criminal offences, including homicide, criminal damage, assaults, sexual offences, theft and robbery, and drugs offences. You will consider what defences may be available and the law in relation to secondary participation and attempts to commit certain offences.

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Discover our LLB Online Course

LLB Law

On successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education program you can join the LLB Law course in Year 2.

Find out more

Course Start Dates

  • Certificate of Higher Education in Law
    • Full-time: Online
  • Certificate of Higher Education in Law
    • Full-time: Online
SQE

What about the SQE?

The SQE is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales

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After you’ve completed the LLB, you can go onto study one of our postgraduate law courses to become a solicitor or barrister.

If you want to become a barrister, you can study our Bar Practice Course.

If you want to become a solicitor, we suggest studying our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2).

You can still study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) if you’ve completed, started, accepted an offer, or paid a non-refundable deposit to study the LLB by 21 September 2021.

If you want to specialise in a particular area of law, we also offer a range of academic Master of Law (LLM) courses, covering subjects from human rights to banking.

At The University Law, we want to help you reach your ambitions with our range of alumni discounts. Be rewarded for your hard work and loyalty when you stay on to study another course with us through our Alumni Loyalty Scheme.

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Course requirements

The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.

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Course Information

 

Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.

 

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We use a variety of assessment methods designed to meet the practical nature of the course and individual module learning outcomes. Some of these will be exams, while others will require you to submit a project report, essay, portfolio or oral presentation. You will also have the opportunity to practice with a mock assessment.

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Our course has an innovatively flexible structure, with specific assessments that are conducive to effective learning.

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Employability We Set You Up For Success

We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.

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Fees and Applying

 

Apply Direct

Applications for all our undergraduate courses are open. You don't need to apply through UCAS to study one of our online courses. 

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2024/25: £9,250 per annum including a £250 deposit

2025/26: £9,250 per annum including a £250 deposit

If you need to fund your studies with a student loan you can apply via Student Finance.

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We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.

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