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Key details

Course area
Access to Higher Education and Employment
Student type
Courses for 19+ students
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date

Tuesday 1st September 2026

Location
Basford 664 Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AQ
Course code
Parent course code:C000374 Child course code: Q002150
Apply now

Course introduction

This course is ideal for students aged 19+ who want to progress to law or a related subject at university and need a strong academic foundation to prepare them for higher-level study. Whether you’re returning to education or changing career direction, this programme will help you build confidence, subject knowledge, and essential study skills.

All students begin with an Introduction to Law, a focused 4-week programme designed to prepare you for study and assess whether the most appropriate route for you. Progression decisions are made by considering key criteria such as attendance, meeting deadlines, and the standard and consistency of your work. 

You’ll gain a broad and solid understanding of key areas of law, including:

  • Contract Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Family and Property Law
  • Employment Law
  • Tort Law

Throughout the year, you’ll study the English Legal System in depth, developing a clear understanding of how laws are created, applied, and interpreted.

As part of the course, you’ll actively develop your future with our future 6 supporting both academic success and personal growth:

  • Analytical Skills – evaluating cases, evidence, and legal arguments
  • Leadership Skills – contributing confidently to group discussions and activities
  • Confident Communication – debating, presenting, and writing clearly and effectively
  • Respectful – engaging thoughtfully with different viewpoints
  • Perseverance – staying motivated through challenging topics
  • Perseverance – building resilience and determination for long-term success

Course information

1 year

CAVA Access to HE Diploma: Law and Criminology

  • You must be aged 19 or over to apply for this course.
  • As the majority of our Access students are returning to learning as adults, we consider a range of experience when accepting students onto an Access programme. All students will be assessed to see what level they are learning at, particularly the level of English and maths skills, as these will be key to success whilst on a programme at Nottingham College. Your experience and level of study will be assessed at interview and this will determine your offer of a place at College.
  • You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C) including English and Maths (equivalents may be considered).
  • It is not possible to study both GCSE English and Maths on this course.

The course is engaging and interactive. You’ll:

  • Take part in practical debates on current legal issues
  • Analyse important historical and contemporary cases
  • Develop strong research, writing, and critical-thinking skills

These activities are designed to prepare you for the academic expectations of university-level law study.

Your Pathway to a Law Degree

By the end of the course, you’ll be academically prepared, confident in your abilities, and ready to progress to university-level law or related studies. This course is your first step towards a future in the legal profession or wider legal careers.

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of your Access to HE course. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

If you progress on to degree level study and complete a full degree, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe. This means you do not have to repay it.

You may be able to study this course for free if you are aged 19-23 and planning to study towards your first full Level 2 or first full Level 3.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Solicitors and Lawyers

Potential Earnings

£78,538.31

Average Earnings

£43,182.04

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Public Services

People in these occupations administrate government programmes and services, work in the justice system, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Law and Legal Studies

People in these occupations judge court cases, represent clients in legal proceedings, and provide legal administrative and research services.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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