Business law
This module aims to introduce you to business law and the regulatory regime in which companies operate. This includes understanding different types of law, such as employment law and insolvency law, how to apply the law to different cases and the structure and operations of courts. The module will broaden and deepen your knowledge, skills and professional values as you progress through your business management or accounting qualification.
What you will study
The aim of this module is to provide a firm grounding in identifying the essential elements of the legal system, including the main sources of law. You&/courses/qualifications/details/b251/39;ll learn to recognise and apply the appropriate legal rules relating to businesses and corporations. You&/courses/qualifications/details/b251/39;ll become able to describe and explain how companies are managed, administered and regulated.
The following topics will be covered in this module.
- Essential elements of the legal system
- The law of obligations
- Employment law
- The formation and constitution of business organisations
- Capital and the financing of companies
- Management, administration, and the regulation of companies
- Insolvency law
- Corporate fraud and criminal behaviour
Professional recognition
This module forms part of the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance (R52) which has been granted exemptions by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) towards its CGMA qualification.
Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites for this OU level 2 module.
Preparatory work
If you would like to prepare for this module, you may find that , a free course on OpenLearn, is a helpful introductory resource.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- module materials, including datasets to practice your analytical skills
- audio and video content such as animations and screencasts
- assignment details and submission section
- online tutorial 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, including any required to complete the online invigilated exam, 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). You’ll need a webcam and microphone for the online invigilated exam.
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.