Meg Wilkins

Law student testimonial

I began my studies with the Open University in 2003 following a very brief, rather unproductive few months spent at a traditional bricks and mortar institution.  Since then I have very much enjoyed successfully completing a BA (Hons) degree, as well as several other courses including the 30 point 2010 presentation of ‘Business and Consumer Transactions, Law and Practice’. 

What has continued to be a benefit to studying with the OU is that I am able to study at my own pace and, in most cases, submit my work electronically from wherever I have access to a computer.  As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time working unsocial hours and shifts, I simply would not have had the time to attend regular, compulsory classes. Of course, support is available when it is needed. The course books provided were excellent, being easy to follow and very up to date. When a piece of legislation did change – as if often the case in law – updates to materials were quickly made available on the course web site.  I found the online tutorials provided during my law course very useful, especially as I was able to listen to them after they had been recorded.  As for my tutor, she seemed very knowledgeable about course material and gave helpful, constructive feedback on my assignments.  

There was certainly a lot of information to absorb in ‘Business and Consumer Transactions, Law and Practice.’ As I studied this alongside another 60 point law course, I found the work load very heavy at times. This is unsurprising however, as it covers a wide range of subjects including the law of distribution, consumer protection, consumer credit, agency, exemption clauses, and competition law. Anyone involved in an expanding business, especially one trading within the EU, should find these subjects of interest. The final ETMA was challenging, but very rewarding in that it encouraged me to do my own legal research.  Be prepared to do a LOT of reading!

I have already recommended the OU business law courses to friends who are interested in the subject area, both from a legal perspective and from a business perspective. As a result of completing this course, I myself am very interested in studying Company Law and Practice, hopefully in the near future.