LLM Environmental Law

Climate change is a universal problem with far reaching consequences for all governments, industry, societies and individuals. The LLM in Environmental Law examines all the political and legal issues concerning environmental protection, climate change policies, natural resources law, with an overarching emphasis on the impact of gas and oil.

The LLM in Environmental Law is an interdisciplinary programme, encompassing legal, political and human rights issues of environmental protection, whilst drawing on expertise from colleagues in other Queen Mary departments, including geography, human rights and physics.

Your fellow students will come from the UK and more than 80 other countries, each able to draw on prior academic and in many cases professional experiences from different jurisdictions to enrich discussion and debate in class.

Structure

The LLM is available to study full-time for one year or part-time for two years.

For this specialism you will take 150 credits worth of taught modules which may be assessed by essays or examinations (see module overviews for full assessment details and dates) and thereafter you work on a 10,000 word dissertation worth 30 credits (submitted mid August). You are required to balance your taught modules across the two teaching semesters – a full explanation of this process will be available during induction and before module selection.

The range of modules that you are required to choose from differs from programme to programme. If you wish to take an unrestricted range of modules and any approved dissertation topic you should apply for the Master of Laws.

_{Induction and choosing your modules}

We run a comprehensive two-week induction period that includes an overview of the programme and advice on module selection as well as a range of other vital information sessions. You do not have to select your modules until you have had the opportunity to listen and learn about them in greater detail during induction. More detail of the induction programme will be made available online by early September each year.

_Full-time

Undertaking a masters programme is a serious commitment, with weekly contact hours being in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research needed to progress at the required level. When coursework or examination deadlines are approaching independent learning hours may need to increase significantly.

_Part-time

The part-time LLM is essentially aimed at legal practitioners working full-time in the UK. You will attend the same modules and follow the same teaching timetable as full-time students.

The part-time programme is, however, spread over two academic years.

In year one, you will normally complete around 90 credits of taught modules. In year two, you will normally take a further 60 credits of taught modules and submit the compulsory 10,000 word dissertation (30 credits). This can be changed if necessary, as the dissertation can be done in either year. However we would always advise part-time students to take around 90 credits of taught modules in their first year if they are timetabled in a convenient slot.

Although not recommended, it is possible for part-time students, who are having difficulties in finding taught modules that fit in with their work timetable, to submit two dissertations – one per year. This would then enable you to take fewer credits of taught modules each year.

Part-time students may also wish to consider the LLM Flexible Study programme.

_Modules

Note: Not all of the modules listed will be available in any one year and semesters listed can be subject to change. Any modules not available in the forthcoming academic session will be marked as soon as this information is confirmed by teaching academics.Certain combinations of modules may be restricted or required. These are also subject to change but will be confirmed prior to module selection.

• SOLM018 Principles of Regulation (Sem 1)
• SOLM131 International Law of the Sea (Sem 1)
• SOLM132 Concepts in Natural Resources Law: Climate, Energy and Water (Sem 1)
• SOLM133 Concepts in Natural Resources Law: Biodiversity, Human Rights and Trade (Sem 2)
• SOLM134 International Environmental Law (Sem 1)
• SOLM135 EU Environmental law (Sem 1)
• SOLM136 Climate Change Law (Sem 2)
• SOLM137 Water Law (Sem 2)
• SOLM146 International Regulation of Shipping (Sem 1)
• SOLM149 Law of the Sea: Navigational Freedoms and Practice (Sem 2)
• SOLM156 Energy Economics Legal Perspective (Sem 1)
• SOLM157 International Energy Law and Ethics (Sem 1)
• SOLM158 United States Energy Law, Regulation and Policy (Sem 1)
• SOLM159 Exploitation of Energy Resources in Disputed Areas (Sem 1)
• SOLM167 Renewable Energy Law (Sem 1)
• SOLM168 Nuclear Energy Law (Sem 2)
• SOLM169 Energy Decommissioning and Waste Management in International Law (Sem 2).

Learning and teaching

As a student at Queen Mary, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. Teaching is by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations and group exercises as well as open discussion. We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You will have a team of advisers to support you, including the LLM and Research Directors, your dissertation supervisor and tutors and your module convenors.

_Assessment

You will be assessed by a mixture of formal examinations and coursework in the six taught modules, followed by more self-directed work on your 15,000-word dissertation.

_Dissertation

You will also complete a dissertation of 15,000-words.

Fees

_{Tuition fees for Home and EU students}

2019/20 Academic Year

Full time £15,100

Part time £7,550

_{Tuition fees for International students}

2019/20 Academic Year

Full time £22,150

Part time £11,075

_{School of Law scholarships}

The School of Law offers a range of scholarships for Law Masters programmes each year. Full details are made available on the law funding page from October – November each year.

_{Queen Mary bursaries and scholarships}

We offer a range of bursaries and scholarships for Masters students including competitive scholarships, bursaries and awards, some of which are for applicants studying specific subjects.

Read more about funding a masters

Visit the LLM Environmental Law page on the Queen Mary University of London website for more details!