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Business and law Access module

An Access module is a great place to start if you want to prepare for Open University undergraduate study. It can also help you find out more about your interests and where you want your learning to take you.

This Access module gives you the chance to discover business and law, exploring how these subjects shape our daily lives as well as some of their big issues and debates. You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll follow case studies to discover key ideas, skills, and practical activities. The areas you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll cover are introduced and explained at a gentle pace, which is perfect if you want to discover something new or brush up on your study skills.

Choose to study an Access module if you:

  • want to gradually build up to university-level study with the OU
  • would like learning materials prepared with new learners in mind 
  • need time to decide your future study plans while developing your study skills.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ve started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you&/courses/modules/y035/39;re unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don&/courses/modules/y035/39;t worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Browse qualifications in related subjects



 

Module

Module code

Y035

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
0 N/A N/A

Study method

Module cost

Entry requirements

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What you will study

This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with 快猫视频 as you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll use printed and online materials to cover a wide range of topics in law and business.

The module is divided into three blocks:

Block 1 – Business, law and everyday life
This block introduces you to your case study characters. You’ll follow them through the first steps of setting up a business, learning about the legal system and how it affects their lives. You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll consider who counts as a ‘legal person’ and what that means for businesses, plus the differences between criminal and civil law. You’ll also see how to start a business, consider what makes something a crime and learn to work with real legal materials. There is an emphasis on developing your study skills which lay the foundation for future academic work.

Block 2 – Resolving differences and working together
This block addresses ways of resolving differences and working together. You’ll build on your study of law by exploring parts of the UK legal system, by considering when an individual might find themselves in court, why a business might choose to avoid court, and where to turn for legal advice. You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll also learn about the significance of age in law and business.

You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll explore the practical and ethical issues businesses face in sourcing and marketing their products and key considerations, such as how to communicate with customers, the importance of their wider context, and how people work happily together in different organisations.

While exploring these concepts, your online learning skills are developed, including reading and note-taking, and academic skills focus on constructing an essay.

Block 3 – Business and law case studies
You’ll delve into some key questions surrounding business and law, including, why criminal courts punish people and the importance of business ethics and environmental responsibility. You’ll explore some contemporary issues in depth to develop the ideas considered in previous blocks, including the age of criminal responsibility, what happens when business cause harm, and how do we protect consumers – and businesses – from fake online reviews?

By looking holistically at these issues and the previous material, you’ll develop academic skills of critical evaluation and comparison, and you’ll have the opportunity to plan and write an essay to consolidate these essential skills.

There are three student choice weeks giving you the opportunity to learn more about an area that interests you. You may also choose the option of catching up, or revisiting material that you missed or would like to engage with again. There are so many things to learn about in the subject areas of business and law that we can’t possibly fit it all into one module, so this is your opportunity to choose an area that interests you most.

The module includes multimedia material and a website with further study materials and resources as well as online quizzes and interactive exercises to help test your understanding.

As you study this module you will build your confidence and develop your study skills, including:
  • reading and interpreting information
  • producing written communications
  • time management and organisational skills
  • problem solving.

You will also have the opportunity to gain skills such as working with audio and video material, using online forums and searching the internet for information. This experience will provide you with a gentle introduction to using a computer to support your study, and will equip you with the basic computing skills you will need for the next step in your studies.

Towards the end of the module you will have the opportunity to participate in activities which will help you to make decisions about your future study plans.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will keep in touch by a combination of phone, written correspondence and, if you want, email. There are no face-to-face tutorials; all tutorials are conducted on a one-to-one basis between you and your tutor. You may have an opportunity to experience a group tutorial and use online rooms. Your tutor will help you to plan your work and to think about the ideas explored in the module. Your tutor will also comment on and help you with your written work. At the end of the module, you will discuss your progress with your tutor, and you will work together to review your learning.

Assessment

You do not have to sit an examination for this module. Assessment consists of four short written assignments. Your tutor will mark your assignments and give you constructive written feedback to develop your study skills and confidence.

Future availability

Business and law Access module starts three times a year – in February, May and October.

This page describes the module that will start in February 2025, May 2025 and October 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2031.

Regulations

As a student of 快猫视频, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our website.

Course work includes:

4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
No examination


Entry requirements

No special knowledge or previous experience is required.

You can study this Access module on a standalone basis or to prepare for your OU qualification. The module won’t count towards a future qualification, but we know that students who start with an Access module are better prepared to succeed in undergraduate study. It may mean that you will study for longer, but it’s well worth the investment.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please .

The study materials have been prepared with the needs of new learners in mind, so it’s great if you’re a beginner or returning to study. You’ll use your general knowledge and interests to gradually build up to university-level study. This module will develop key study skills such as time management, note taking, reading for study purposes and reflection on your own learning.

This module is only available if you live in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland, or if you have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address.

Register

Start End England fee Register
01 Feb 2025 Sep 2025 拢909.00
Could you study for free?

Registration closes 09/01/25 (places subject to availability)

03 May 2025 Jan 2026 拢909.00
Could you study for free?

Registration closes 10/04/25 (places subject to availability)

This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2031.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

快猫视频 Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient &/courses/modules/y035/39;pay as you go&/courses/modules/y035/39; option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that 快猫视频 works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about .

Employer sponsorship

Studying with 快猫视频 can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an .


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University&/courses/modules/y035/39;s fee policy, visit our

This information was provided on 01/11/2024.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ve started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you&/courses/modules/y035/39;re unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don&/courses/modules/y035/39;t worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a week-by-week study planner
  • course-specific module materials
  • audio and video content
  • assignment details and submission section.

You&/courses/modules/y035/39;ll also be provided with a printed module book, a study planner and assessment guide.

Digital copies (PDFs and web versions) of most study materials, and transcripts of the DVD can be found on the website. Transcripts are also available on the DVD itself if it is accessed through a computer.

You will need

You will require access to a phone and the use of a computer with internet access.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying Y035 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our .