IF0ELS: Foundations of Law (English Legal System)

Module code: IF0ELS

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Miss Natalie Drake, email: n.drake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0LON (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

To prepare students to study Law at undergraduate level by providing student with an introduction to the core principles related to the English Legal System. 

The aim of the module is to provide students with a legal learning experience that allows then to develop an understanding of some of the core concepts and principles that underpin the legal environment while developing an appreciation for the roles of public and private law. 

The module aims to develop students’ knowledge and the ability to explore, analyse, evaluate and critique legal issues, concepts and theories, and produce a legal argument while using relevant discipline specific materials, policy, practise and theories. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Show knowledge of the structure, personnel and functions of the English Legal System.  
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic areas of criminal law. 
3. Analyse and solve legal problems while creating clear and coherent legal arguments and drawing logical conclusions.       
4. Illustrate a critical awareness of the changing nature of law in society. 

Module content

Introduction of some basic principles of the constitution: sources, parliamentary sovereignty; the rule of law; separation of powers.  

Introduction to the core principles of the English legal system: sources of law including the legislative process, statutory interpretation, judicial precedent, common law and equity, EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.  

Introduction of the institutions of the English Legal System relevant to civil and criminal proceedings; the hierarchy of the courts, the roles of the judiciary and the jury.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be 6 hours per week face-to-face teaching (2-hour lecture plus 2 x 2 hours of seminar sessions).  

Students will be expected to complete their own independent learning some of which will consist of guided learning activities.    

There will be an active approach to learning and students will use discipline specific materials which will include exploring legal issues, cases, and the impact of law on society.   

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Whole-class and individual feedback will be given during drafting stages.

Reassessment

Additional costs