The module begins by introducing you to the key terms and concepts relating to the law of evidence. You'll learn what can be proved without evidence, the different kinds of evidence, and the burden and standard of proof.
You'll explore what happens when confessions and evidence are obtained as a result of police misconduct. The legal rules are considered in their wider context. For example, why do people confess to crimes they did not commit? Should the courts discipline the police? Do they appropriately balance disapproval of misconduct with a fair trial outcome?
Some types of evidence pose particular risks of injustice, and in this module, you'll be exploring hearsay evidence, character evidence, and eyewitness identifications. You'll find out why they are risky, how the law of evidence seeks to balance those risks and consider whether it succeeds. Witness evidence is considered in detail, including who can be a witness, whether they can choose not to attend court and how vulnerable witnesses are protected in court. You'll discover the process of giving evidence and what rules govern how lawyers can question witnesses.
The final part of the module considers two controversial areas. Expert evidence is increasingly central to cases but can lead to miscarriages of justice if the expert or the court makes a mistake. You'll explore the roles of expert witnesses, the rules governing their use, and how these operate in practice. Finally, the roles of judges and juries are reviewed, and some of the major controversies are explored before you put your knowledge of evidence law into practice with an in-depth activity.
By studying this module, you'll learn:
The law of evidence is an important aspect of legal practice in England and Wales. It is a compulsory undergraduate subject for some jurisdictions outside England and Wales. The subject knowledge and skills will prepare you for any career in law.
If you intend to study this module as part of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and hope to enter the legal professions, you should read our Careers in Law information. There are different entry requirements into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet these requirements.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You will have digital access via Law Trove to The Modern Law of Evidence 15th edition (Keane and McKeown), and a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
W250 is a compulsory module in our:
W250 is an option module in our:
Evidence law starts once a year – in February.
This page describes the module that will start in February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
If you are new to study at university level, or are returning after some time, we recommend that you first study an OU level 1 law module such as Criminal law and the courts (W111) or Civil justice and tort law (W112), unless you are a graduate entry student.
If you are studying this module as part of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) (R81) or Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry) (LLB) (R82), then you will need to have studied or be studying on a presentation of Public law (W211) before enrolling on W250.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
You might find the following resources useful in preparation for this module:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying W250 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 Disability support website.
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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.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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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.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
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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 Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
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 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
