6A002E - The Law of the European Union and European Human Rights 10 Feb 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6A002E
Module Title: The Law of the European Union and European Human Rights
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Law
Faculty Sub Group: Law
Module Leader: Clare Lewis
Module Team: Iain Hammett, Hannah Coburn, Hannah Menard
First Intended Intake: JAN 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100485 - law
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 10 Feb 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

The module will provide students with an understanding of the constitutional and substantive laws of the European Union and European Human Rights.

The module will provide a basis for study for students to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between European Union law, European Human Rights and national law;

  2. Discuss historical and recent developments in the UK's relations with the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and the impact on the constitution;

  3. Analyse,  evaluate and apply European Union and human rights laws;

  4. Debate the nature of EU and human rights law and their relationship with UK law within the context of the UK’s constitutional framework.

Content Summary

The module will cover the following indicative content:

EU

  • History and background of the European Communities and European Union.

  • The institutions of the E.U.

  • The sources of Law of the E.U.

  • Free movement of capital, goods, persons and services

  • An introduction to E.U. policies e.g. social policy, competition

  • Direct effect, Indirect effect and State liability

  • The preliminary ruling

  • Brexit and the status of assimilated EU Law

ECHR

  • International, European and domestic equality law

  • The UK Constitution and membership of the Council of Europe

  • European Convention on Human Rights and related jurisprudence

  • Human Rights Act 1998 and related jurisprudence

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminars 20
Independent Study 60
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 60
Formative assessment - scheduled 2
Formative assessment - independent 20
Groupwork 9
Problem/Challenge based learning 9
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evidence detailed and accurate knowledge and understanding of the constitutional and substantive laws of the European Union and the relationship between European Union law and national law.
LO2 Analyse, critically evaluate and apply issues and laws relating to equality and European Human Rights law.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 A poster presentation critically evaluating the concepts of European Human Rights law and equality as it relates to a particular group(s) of individuals. 20 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 Provide written answers to set questions requiring address of both UK laws and retained EU and human rights law - 48h assessment. 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1

Reading List

Please note that it is essential that for both the required and recommended reading, the most recent edition of the relevant book is used

Foster, N. EU Law Directions, OUP

Dennett, Public Law (Directions), OUP.

Barnett, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Routledge.

Parpworth, Constitutional and Administrative Law, OUP.

Elliott & Thomas, Public Law, OUP.

Bogdanor, Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution, Bloomsbury.

De Mars, EU Law in the UK, OUP. 

Ovey & White, Jacobs & White: European Convention on Human Rights (OUP)

Mowbray, Cases and Materials on the European Convention on Human Rights (Butterworth)

Janis, Kay and Bradley, European Human Rights Law: Text and Materials (OUP)

Leach, Taking a Case to the European Court of Human Rights (Blackstone)

Jowell and Cooper (eds) Understanding Human Rights Principles (Hart)

Alston, The EU and Human Rights (OUP)

Betten and Grief, EU Law and Human Rights (Longman)

Campbell, Goldsworthy and Stone (eds), Protecting Human Rights: Instruments and Institutions (OUP)

Tomuschat, Human Rights: Between Idealism and Realism (OUP)

Richards, Free Speech and the Politics of Identity (OUP)

Baxi, The Future of Human Rights (OUP)

Simpson, Human Rights and the End of Empire: Britain and the Genesis of the European Convention (OUP)

Fenwick, Civil Liberties and Human Rights (Cavendish)

Feldman, Civil Liberties and Human Rights in Engaland and Wales (Clarendon)

Stone, Textbook on Civil Liberties and Human Rights (Blackstone)

Journals:

European Law Journal.

Public Law.

Modern Law Review.

Cambridge Law Journal.

Legal Studies.

Websites:

Legislation.gov.uk

Parliament.uk

Gov.Wales.

Senedd.wales.

ukconstitutionallaw.org

ukpubliclawblog.com