Exploring Law: Studying Law at University (FutureLearn)

Exploring Law: Studying Law at University (FutureLearn)

Is law right for you? Learn the basics, explore key questions in depth, and hear from students and inspirational legal figures. Learn the fundamentals of law and whether studying law is right for you
If you’re aged 16 to 18 and are considering studying law at a UK university, this six-week University of Cambridge course is for you.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Whether you already know that you want to study law at university, you’re considering your options, or are just curious about the law, this course will give you the introduction you need.

Get great insights into legal studies
During this course, you’ll learn what studying law at at a UK university entails.
You’ll learn about the nature, sources and major categories of law, and key skills needed to succeed as a law student.
You’ll hear first-hand from university law students about their experiences, and from inspirational people from the legal world.
You’ll also gain insights into how to make an effective university application.
Whether or not you ultimately decide to study law or become a lawyer, this course will develop your understanding of the law and its role in society.

Discover diverse areas of law
Beyond the fundamentals of law, you’ll have the chance to explore in depth some fascinating questions of criminal law, public law and private law.

Study law with experts
This course is convened by Stephen Watterson, Okeoghene Odudu and Amy Goymour from the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, assisted by six specialist colleagues.
Under their guidance, you’ll gain insights into the law and develop key skills needed to succeed in legal studies. You’ll learn how to interpret different legal sources, apply legal rules to real-world scenarios, explore different perspectives on legal rules, and develop your own critical arguments.
Ultimately, we hope that you’ll develop confidence in your ability to enjoy and succeed in legal studies at university.

What topics will you cover?
The nature, sources and major categories of law
Issues in criminal law
Issues in public law
Issues in private law
Key skills for law students
Insights from inspirational people who work in law
Insights from university law students
Career paths following a law degree
Making an effective application to university

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the pervasiveness and function of law in society.
  • Apply legal rules and principles to factual scenarios.
  • Interpret different types of legal text. 
  • Explore competing perspectives on legal rules.
  • Evaluate policy and particular legal rules. 
  • Produce an argument based on evaluation of legal rules.
  • Classify rule sources in a broader legal context.
  • Describe what characterises students and practitioners of law.

Who is the course for?
This course is primarily designed for students between 16 and 18 years old who are considering whether to study law at a UK university.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy (Coursera) Coursera
University of North Carolina

Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy (Coursera)

Environmental law may be the one institution standing between us and planetary exhaustion. It is also an institution that needs to be reconciled with human liberty and economic aspirations. This course considers these issues and provides a tour though existing legal regimes governing pollution, water law, endangered species, toxic substances, environmental impact analyses, and environmental risk.

Oct 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to the Rule of Law (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Law,Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Introduction to the Rule of Law (FutureLearn)

Law

Investigate the Judiciary system and the Rule of Law, and discover how it affects us in the UK. What is the Rule of Law? The Rule of Law is integral to upholding our fundamental rights and freedoms in the UK. On this three-week course from the University of Law, you’ll consider what is meant by the Rule of Law, focussing on the role of the Judiciary and the interconnection between the Rule of Law and our human rights.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
International Franchise Law: the World is Yours (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

International Franchise Law: the World is Yours (FutureLearn)

Grow your understanding of the practice and law of international franchising and the viability of franchising internationally. We each have a daily connection with franchising. At the international level, franchising is a practical and exciting aspect of global commerce. Countries with vast markets and growing middle classes present opportunities for brands that have reached saturation in their original market. Developing countries too are now creating home-grown, exportable franchised brands.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to English Common Law (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Introduction to English Common Law (Coursera)

The common law of England and Wales is one of the major global legal traditions. This MOOC will give you an introduction to this influential legal system including its history, constitutional background, sources and institutions. You’ll learn about the different ways in which laws are made and interpreted, the English court system and the increasing importance of European Union and human rights law. Now is an especially exciting time to be learning about English common law, given the potential changes that lie ahead in today’s political, economic and social environment – all these pose challenges to and opportunities for the law.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Fraud Investigation: Making a Difference (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University,City of London Police

Fraud Investigation: Making a Difference (FutureLearn)

Explore the UK’s most common types of fraud and examine fraud factors and theories to better protect yourself and others. Explore the skills required to make a difference and prevent fraud. Fraud is a great challenge facing communities today. The methods used by criminals to steal from individuals and organisations are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. This makes it even harder for fraud to be prevented. On this course, you will study with the City of London Police the skills needed to conduct an effective and proactive fraud investigation.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Introduction to GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University College London,UCL Consultants,PA Consulting

Introduction to GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (FutureLearn)

Learn how to handle data in the digital economy safely, securely and respectfully. Learn how to handle data responsibly. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is designed to balance the need for businesses’ and customers’ data information to flow freely, and the need to protect the rights of the individual.

No sessions available
3 Weeks
Inside the UK Supreme Court: Its Role, Its Work, and Cases that Affect Us All (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Royal Holloway, University of London,Judicial Committee of The Privy Council,The Supreme Court of The United Kingdom

Inside the UK Supreme Court: Its Role, Its Work, and Cases that Affect Us All (FutureLearn)

Law

Explore the role of the UK Supreme Court, hear from its Justices and staff, and learn about some of the Court’s landmark rulings. Delve into the UK Supreme Court and its inner workings. If you’d like to learn more about the UK Supreme Court, what it does, and what it’s like to work there, then this Royal Holloway course, produced in collaboration with the Supreme Court, is for you.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy (Coursera) Coursera
National Taiwan University

Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy (Coursera)

“Taiwan Law in Focus” is the first online course provided by the College of Law, National Taiwan University. This course will give you an introduction to the legal system in Taiwan, which includes the topics of Constitution, administration law, criminal law, civil law, corporative law, and some related issues. You will learn about the brief history of Taiwan’s legal system and its transition in recent decades.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Inleiding Nederlands recht: de eerste stappen in de wereld van het recht (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Groningen

Inleiding Nederlands recht: de eerste stappen in de wereld van het recht (FutureLearn)

Law

Het recht regelt vrijwel alle aspecten van het leven. Deze cursus gaat in op de vraag wat recht is en waar je het kunt vinden. Het recht regelt vrijwel alle aspecten van de maatschappij. Soms is dat heel zichtbaar: je komt het tegen in de rechtszaal bij een zaak tegen een grote crimineel of in de Tweede Kamer bij een verhit debat over een nieuw wetsvoorstel. Het recht regelt ook kleinere - maar belangrijke - dingen, zoals het huurcontract van je nieuwe woning of je arbeidsovereenkomst.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Incarceration: Are prisons a suitable punishment? (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Incarceration: Are prisons a suitable punishment? (FutureLearn)

Law

Explore life inside UK prisons. Learn whether this type of punishment reduces crime and if rehabilitation can prevent reoffending. Explore the ethics of imprisonment and identify prison alternatives. England and Wales have the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe. Almost a quarter of these prisoners are held in overcrowded prisons. On this course, you will take a look inside the prisons of England and Wales.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Children's Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Children's Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction (Coursera)

Drawing on the contributions of several academic disciplines including law, psychology, sociology, history, educational and health sciences, economy and anthropology, an interdisciplinary approach guides the student into a selection of critical issues concerning children’s rights. Participants will gain insight relative to the development of this specific human rights category, as well as to the evolution of the challenges faced by children over time and society’s efforts to respond.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks