Open University

Certificate of Higher Education in Law

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification, you will have some knowledge and understanding of the:

• Concepts, values, rules and principles of the legal system of England and Wales, and awareness of some of the powers exercised by the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
• Areas of substantive law of England and Wales and their impact on individuals and society
• Social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification, you will be able to:

• Ask and answer appropriate questions about criminal and tort law and the legal system of England and Wales, identifying gaps in your own knowledge
• Apply legal principles and authority to develop reasoned answers to questions.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification, you will be able to:

• Conduct basic legal research with clear guidance
• Identify, retrieve and start to evaluate legal information from a range of electronic or other sources
• Acknowledge the sources of information that you have used, in a style appropriate to the task.

Key skills

On completion of this qualification, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Communicate relevant ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Work with a limited range of different textual, numerical and statistical data
• Reflect on your own learning and development, making effective use of feedback, and demonstrating a willingness to acknowledge and correct errors.

This certificate of higher education has one stage comprising 120 credits.

You’ll begin by focusing on a range of criminal offences as well as addressing themes of law reform, human rights and issues relevant to the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales. You’ll then develop an understanding of the range of civil laws, as well as the operation of the civil justice system and explore various torts including negligence, nuisance and defamation.

You cannot study W111 and W112 at the same time. If you wish to study on a full-time basis you can start with W111 in October and then start W112 in the following February.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Criminal law and the courts (W111)
• Civil justice and tort law (W112)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

This qualification will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the legal system of England and Wales and a range of legal and other skills, including being able to identify legal issues and apply legal principles and developing your time management and self-motivation abilities.

Career relevance

The knowledge and skills you will gain from studying for this certificate are recognised and highly respected by many employers. The certificate will prepare you for career development in law, business, government, education, charitable and non-governmental organisations and a wide range of other public-facing and regulatory roles. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying law.

You can continue your legal studies by completing the full Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) qualification and this qualification will help you with a legal career. It is necessary to complete further undergraduate legal studies successfully and meet all other requirements of the regulatory authorities in order satisfactorily to complete your training as a solicitor or barrister. Further information about future legal careers can be found in the Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) qualification.

If you want to become a barrister in England and Wales or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to complete the LLB within six years.

Other careers

Studying law is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it's not the only path you can choose. Many options are available to you beyond the legal profession, including finance, human resources, local government or general management.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.