The Open University Law School and The University of Law have today announced that they will end their formal partnership in order that they can expand their individual offerings into new areas.
Current students should be assured that they will experience no interruption to their studies, and there will be no change in the quality of the material delivered. Over the last 15 years the successful partnership has helped more than 3,000 people gain a law degree, many of whom are now working as solicitors and barristers.
Below is a comprehensive list of FAQs which students may find useful:
FAQs
How does this affect me as a current student?
What is happening?
The Open University Law School and The University of Law have mutually decided to end their formal partnership in order to focus on expanding their individual offerings into new areas.
Why is this happening?
During the 15 year partnership there have been changes in funding, curriculum and the wider legal environment. Innovations in technology have also opened the door to new ways of teaching and learning. These factors have created new opportunities for the two institutions and both feel that now is the time to expand and build separately on their individual successes and strengths.
When will the OU Law School stop offering modules in collaboration with The University of Law?
Current students will not be affected as the collaboration will end in 2018. The Open University Law School is now in the process of recruiting additional staff to develop and deliver a full law curriculum. W200, W201, W300 and W301 will be phased out from 2016. W221, W222, W223 and W224 will be phased out from 2015. The phasing out is referred to as ‘teach-out’.
The Open University Law School has always produced Level 1 modules without The University of Law and therefore there will be no impact on Level 1.
What does this mean for current students?
As a current student, you will not experience any interruption to your studies and there will be no change in the quality of the materials and tutoring you receive. If you have started the compulsory modules of your law degree with the Open University Law School, you can complete it with the OU. The teach-out for existing modules will be until 2018 to ensure that your law degree can be completed the OU Law School and The University of Law are equally committed to delivering the degree that students have signed up to.
Please note, if you are a student working towards B05, this version of the Law degree will be withdrawn at the end of 2017. If you are studying under transitional fee arrangements, please remember that these will end on 31 August 2017.
The OU Law School will create its own high quality law degree which will incorporate advances in legal publishing, technology and innovative teaching developments.
Which modules will be affected?
Four compulsory and four optional Level 2 and 3 modules are delivered in partnership with The University of Law. W200, W201, W300 and W301 will be phased out from 2016. W221, W222, W223 and W224 will be phased out from 2015.
Will there still be a guaranteed place on The University of Law’s Legal Practice Course for OU graduates?
Current students (who have completed or are studying any of the compulsory modules) who successfully complete the LLB with the OU will still have the same guaranteed place on The University of Law’s Legal Practice Course should they wish to become solicitors in England and Wales.
Will the current law degree be affected?
Not at all. The Open University Law School has always produced Level 1 modules without The University of Law and therefore there will be no impact on Level 1. The OU’s Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) delivered in collaboration with The University of Law has been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board and there is no impact on this approval.
Will the LLM be affected?
There will be no impact on the LLM as The University of Law does not have any involvement in this programme.
What does this mean for new OU students?
New, OU part time students registering on Level 1 modules for October 2013 onwards will be studying OU designed materials produced to the same high quality standard as those produced in partnership with The University of Law.
If new OU students at Level 1 are full time, they may be able to study the current modules to complete their law degree before 2018. They need to be studying W200 in 2014 in order to be able to complete using the current high quality LLB modules. Please note that students in England cannot study full time in both February 2014 and October 2014 due to a fee cap set by the government which restricts the tuition fee amount that the OU can charge in any twelve month period.
Will I have to pay more for my modules?
The price of modules will not be affected by the change in the relationship.
Whom can I contact for more information?
Student Services will be able to answer enquiries on 0845 300 6090
Or send your query to the forum on the website ‘Supporting you through your qualification study journey’, accessed via Studenthome. The forum is in the Common Room.
What if I’m a registered student who hasn’t yet started studying?
How will this affect me?
It means your law degree will be made up of OU produced modules at all three levels (rather than just at level 1).
How will these new modules be different?
The modules will still cover the same subjects but will incorporate new technology, advances in legal publishing and innovative teaching developments.
You don’t need to do anything now but we will contact you again and you may need to move qualification codes.
Can I get my money back if the module I have registered for has not yet started?
Yes but we are confident that the new law degree will be just as successful as the current law degree.
What does this mean for new students?
New, part time students registering on modules for October 2013 onwards will be studying OU designed materials produced to the same high quality standard as those produced in partnership with The University of Law.
If new students are full time, they may be able to study the current modules to complete their law degree before 2018. They need to be studying W200 in 2014 in order to be able to complete using the current LLB modules. But please note students cannot study full time in both February 2014 and October 2014 due to restrictions in government funding.
Will I have to pay more for these new modules?
The price of modules will not be affected by this announcement.
Whom can I contact for more information?
Student Services will be able to answer enquiries on 0845 300 6090 or send your query to the forum on the website ‘Supporting you through your qualification study journey’, accessed via Studenthome. The forum is in the Common Room
