Free courses
Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to study. We offer nearly 1000 free courses across 9 different subject areas. Our courses are available to start right away.
- Law
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level 1: introductory icon
Society, Politics & Law
Judicial decision making
This free course, Judicial decision making, explains how judges decide cases. You will learn how judges make sense of evidence, and how they decide on fair outcomes in legal disputes. The course shows how the law constrains and influences judges, and what happens when the law is uncertain or contested. The course uses videos, practical examples,...
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Society, Politics & Law
Myths in law
Have you ever wondered how much truth there was reflected in your favourite court room drama? How accurate is your favourite crime series in depicting the way the criminal justice system works? If you have, then this free course is for you. You will be looking at some of the biggest myths around criminal law and criminal courts to see how ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Applying social work law to asylum and immigration
This course will present an overview of the policy and law that relates to social work with people involved in the asylum and immigration system and will introduce you to the ways in which social work practitioners can support people with insecure immigration status, refugees and asylum seekers more effectively. It will highlight some of the ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Applying social work law with children and families
This course will introduce you to the law as it applies to social work with children and families in the United Kingdom. You will learn about varying definitions of childhood and family and then explore underpinning principles of the law relating to child rights and parental responsibilities. You will look at the key legislation relating to ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Social work law and UK regulation
Social workers have significant powers, rights and responsibilities in their professional role. The law has a vital role in the regulation of professional practice, and such regulation is important to social workers, as it provides clear boundaries for their practice. Boundaries also provide the public with confidence in the profession. It is ...
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Society, Politics & Law
An introduction to social work law
This course will get you to consider your initial perceptions of the social work role before exploring what social workers do in their day-to-day practice with people. It will highlight the core values of the social work profession and consider the challenges of applying these values in practice. The course will explore the relationship ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Legal skills and debates in Scotland
This free course, Legal skills and debates in Scotland, considers how laws are interpreted and applied. It looks at legislation, court judgments, argument, judicial reasoning and rights. It also explores the relationship between society’s values and the laws which it supports and how policy and rights influence development of law.
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Society, Politics & Law
Scottish courts and the law
This free course, Scottish courts and the law, explores the role, function and purpose of the courts in Scotland and their relationship with the law. You consider the way in which cases come to court, the difference between the criminal and civil justice systems, the separation of powers, how individuals may become involved with the court ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Law and change: Scottish legal heroes
This free course explores the law-making process in Scotland and considers how the legal system has been influenced by change. You consider how Scots law and lawyers have influenced advances in the law on a global, national and local scale. Throughout the course you consider how individuals and institutions have effected change. You explore how ...
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Society, Politics & Law
The Scottish Parliament and law making
This free course, The Scottish Parliament and law making, explores the law making powers of the Scottish Parliament and examines its place in the UK’s constitution. It considers how, and why, laws are made by both the Scottish and UK Parliaments before exploring devolved matters, reserved matters, legislative competence, secondary legislation, ...
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Society, Politics & Law
The law-making process in England and Wales
This free course, The law-making process in England and Wales, introduces you to the sources of law in England and Wales. It examines the democratic law-making process and how and by whom proposed legislation is initiated, before introducing you to the Westminster Parliament, which creates legislation. It is within this Parliament that proposed ...
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History & The Arts
Introduction to law in Wales
This free course, Introduction to law in Wales, gives a brief overview of the legal history in Wales from the 12th century, followed by an overview of devolution and referendums, the law making powers of the Welsh Assembly and the possible future for legal Wales.