Law

Diploma of Higher Education in Law

Code
W94

School/Subject

Studying law is stimulating in its own right and will assist you in developing important academic and employability skills. You’ll acquire the legal awareness needed to understand and apply the law and start to develop your skills of legal analysis and methods. Understanding how laws are made, the importance of legal rights and duties and how law impacts upon society helps you understand society and your own role within it. You’ll be well prepared for further study, such as continuing on to complete our law degree, or career development in law, business, government, education, charitable organisations and a wide range of other public facing and regulatory roles.

Certificate of Higher Education in Business and Law

Code
T58

School/Subject

Start your journey into business and law with this accessible and engaging certificate. You’ll explore core business and management topics – like marketing, strategy, and financial planning – while building a practical understanding of civil justice and tort law. Through real-world case studies and interactive learning, you’ll develop essential skills in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. Whether you’re returning to education, exploring a new interest, or laying the groundwork for future study, this course gives you the tools to understand how organisations and legal systems work – and how they shape the world around us.
people sat on a wall

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) - 8 May 2025 Berlin - 80 years on

A blog post by Gillian Maudsley on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2.

28th July 2025

Law reporting in the courts of England and Wales

In this blog, Jessica Giles reflects on her experience working as a law reporter in the courts prior to transitioning into her current role as a full-time academic at the Open University.

22nd July 2025
image of scales of justice

Breaking digital barriers: making online legal education work for everyone

Nadine is a Lecturer of Law and Student Experience Manager. Her blog focuses on the future of legal education and how we need to make digital spaces work for everyone.

15th July 2025

two women smiling

Just because you’ve been doing something for a long time, doesn’t mean it has to be your future. With the OU, you can take charge of your destiny. It’s never too late to make a change.

Image of Sarah Tutsell-Buse

From pubs and clubs to a legal career … Sarah Tutssel-Buse is a busy mum of two and is registered deaf, but she hasn’t let that stop her from taking steps to make her dreams of helping people for a living come true.

BA (Honours) Criminology and Law

Code
q92

School/Subject

Crime, justice and the workings of the law are matters that affect us all and often dominate the news. This degree takes a critical and analytical view of the role and functions of the legal system, and examines its relationship with crime, harm, and criminal justice. With an appreciation of criminological theorising and evidence, you will develop the skills to comment on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance, including policy questions, at national, international and global levels. You'll gain the ability to critically assess everyday understandings of crime, harm and criminal justice, the social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law, as well as gain knowledge of the key institutions which make up criminal justice and legal systems.

What I like about teaching at the Open University, is that it is impactful education, making a real difference to student lives.

Harry’s first-class honours BSc Open Degree has paved the way to fulfilling his dreams of becoming a solicitor.

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