Company law and practice
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This course examines the increasing significance of companies in contemporary society. It addresses fundamental issues of the law affecting these organisations, including the idea that a company is a distinct ‘legal person’. The course considers the powers and duties of those involved in companies, and the consequences of a company failing to meet relevant legal standards of conduct. It will be of interest to you if you are involved in companies and wish to develop or refresh your knowledge and understanding; or if you have regular dealings with companies in your personal or professional life; or purely for academic study. The course deals principally with the law of England and Wales.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W223 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
This is a 30-credit course suitable for study by those with an interest in the area of company law or as part of the free-choice element of the LLB. You can study W223 as part of your law degree or as a stand-alone unit. It is suitable for anyone with an interest in company law whether purely for academic study or for more practical reasons. You may already be a director or working towards a qualification as a company secretary and wish to enhance your career prospects in the company in which you are working.
The course considers the legal regulation of business organisations, concentrating on private limited companies. As part of your studies you will explore the differences between companies and other business organisations. You will consider the formalities involved in establishing a company; the processes through which a company is administered and financed; and the allocation of responsibilities and powers among company personnel. Your studies will also situate the idea of ‘the company’ in a broader social context by considering controversial issues including the consequences of wrongdoing by companies and the extent to which companies have responsibilities to society at large. Company law is an important area of legal regulation, which, directly or indirectly, affects us all. In addition to the knowledge and understanding of these areas of legal regulation you will be provided with an opportunity to develop a range of essential associated skills, including how to:
- identify material facts and legal issues and apply legal principles to resolve these issues
- conduct legal research and come to a reasoned conclusion.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you will need the study skills required for this level of study, which may have been obtained either from Level 2 study with the OU or from another university.
While this course can be studied on a stand-alone basis, it assumes that you already have knowledge and understanding of the English legal system. We strongly advise you to study both Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) (if you are a non-graduate) and Understanding law (W200) before starting this Level 2 course.
Please note that prior study of W100 alone is insufficient preparation for this Level 2 course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
Please note that this course is only concerned with the law of England and Wales.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The written study material is available in a comb-bound format. The study materials (excluding text books) may be available on CD-ROM in PDF format and are available to download from the College of Law website. Some components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. You will need to spend time using a personal computer and the internet. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Two course manuals and a legislation book. Access to a course website that offers forums, learning resources, news items and access, via the OU library, to online legal databases for research purposes.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
You will need a headset, with a microphone and earphones, to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the course activities.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor with whom you can communicate by email, telephone and post, who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also run online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to take part in.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment or EMA on paper.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) is a project.
Professional recognition
If you are intending to count this towards the free-choice element of the LLB, and you hope to enter the Legal Professions, you should read carefully our Recognition leaflet 3.13 Law. There are different entry regulations into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You should read the Recognition leaflet as it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W223 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
A very enjoyable and practical course. I studied this as part of my Law Degree but I would recommend it ...
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