This module employs a range of multimedia sources and engaging activities to immerse you in key issues and debates relevant to the criminal justice system of England and Wales. The module will focus on a range of criminal offences, such as murder and theft, using real case studies, as well as aspects of criminal defences. You'll also address themes of law reform, campaigning, inequality, and human rights.
What you will study
The module begins by discussing a selection of myths in criminal law, clarifying how and whether these ring true, for example, whether all criminal trials involve a jury. You'll see how cases are brought to court and why many crimes are never prosecuted at all.
You'll be introduced to:
different sources of law and the role of Parliament and the courts in developing criminal offences and defences
key criminal law concepts such as actus reus (wrongful act) and mens rea (blameworthy state of mind) through a real homicide case study
the law relating to a range of criminal offences such as murder, theft, offences against the person, criminal damage, and harassment.
The final part explores youth justice, miscarriages of justice and double jeopardy. This will allow you to engage with a critical review of criminal law and help develop skills needed for onward study.
Studying this module will also help familiarise yourself with aspects of criminal defences, and with a particular focus on self-defence and duress.
Throughout the module, you'll be encouraged to engage with themes of law reform, campaigning, inequality and human rights through a range of multimedia sources, interactive activities and module materials. You'll also have opportunities to develop key skills such as reading for understanding, note-taking and summary writing.
Entry requirements
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for higher education and distance learning. It will give you the foundation knowledge and study skills to study law at a more advanced level (OU levels 2 and 3). By the end of the module, you will be expected to be working at the level required of first-year undergraduate students.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums. You are encouraged to subscribe to both forums to stay up to date.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
What's included
You will have digital access via Law Trove to Complete Criminal Law: Text, Cases and Materials 9th edition (Loveless, Allen and Derry) and a module website, which includes:
an electronic copy of the module textbook
a week-by-week study planner
module-specific study materials
audio and video content
assignment details and submission section
online tutorials and forums, and tutor support.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying W111 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.
Future availability
Criminal law and the courts starts twice a year – in February and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2029.