Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026
Module LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Department: Law
LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
| Type | Tied | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2025/2026 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | M101 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | M103 |
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To provide a general understanding of the basic institutions, concepts and principles relating to the constitution of the United Kingdom (UK).
Content
- (1) The nature of the UK Constitution (including introduction to constitutionalism; sources, especially constitutional conventions; structures of government including devolution; comparisons; development and reform; (2) The Rule of Law, including case study on prerogative powers; (3) Parliamentary sovereignty including the impact of EU law; (4) Separation of powers and judicial independence; (5) Accountability.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of constitutional law and principles of the UK.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Students should be able to apply the constitutional law of the UK and analyse and understand its development.
Key Skills:
- Students should be able to demonstrate basic analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work independently and take responsibility for their own learning.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
- Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
- In preparation for the examination, the assignment (formative) is used to develop analytical, communication and research skills and to enhance students' ability to engage in sustained evaluation of constitutional issues;
- The summative problem question is a skills-based exercise, testing students' legal reasoning skills as well as the ability to apply relevant legal principles;
- The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and test their ability to make coherent, critical arguments evaluating different aspects of the UK constitution in a contextual manner.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Tutorials | 5 | Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany, and one in Easter | 1 hour | 5 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 175 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 70% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Online Examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Component: Summative Essay | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Exercise | 1,500 words | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
One essay of 1500 words.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University