- An undergraduate course
in
Law.
Company law and practice
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | W223 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
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.
Modules at Level 2 assume that you are suitably prepared for study at this level. If you want to take a single module to satisfy your career development needs or pursue particular interests, you don’t need to start at Level 1 but you do need to have adequately prepared yourself for OU study in some other way. Check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared.
Register for the course
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.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
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 have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us 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.
The study materials are updated annually, but it may be necessary to update during your study of the course if there is a major (and unexpected) change to the law.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
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.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2013. We then expect it to be available once a year, in October.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“This course is fairly dry and you end up becoming very acquainted with one or two pieces of legislation. Feedback ...”
Read more
“A very enjoyable and practical course. I studied this as part of my Law Degree but I would recommend it ...”
Read more
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | W223 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
Get a prospectus
Download ororder
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.