LLM Global Environmental Law & Governance
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September & January
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
Edward Elgar Prize: the best dissertation will be awarded the annual Edward Elgar prize
Study with us
- learn to critically appraise and creatively contribute to global environmental law and governance
- develop the skills and expertise to pursue a career in areas of global environmental law and governance
- combine cutting edge theoretical knowledge and practice thematic areas in global environmental law and governance
- experience a tailored and bespoke teaching environment where you'll be working closely with your peers and faculty
- benefit from guest lectures: internationally recognised guest speakers from international organisations, leading international law firms and large NGOs
- opportunity to undertake an internship with the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED) and to collaborate with the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance (SCELG)
Why this course?
Understanding the development and functioning of environmental law across different levels of governance is an important issue of our time. This requires moving beyond the traditional approach to teaching international, regional, EU and national environmental law in isolation from one other.
There's also a growing need to understand the relevance for environmental governance of the legal practices of indigenous peoples and local communities, business entities, local administrations, and transnational environmental practitioners.
You'll gain insights from the work and activities of SCELG, including, amongst others, the One Ocean Hub and the Climate Change Litigation Initiative (C2LI).
Studying this course, you'll be equipped with a wide range of expertise in global environmental law and governance, in areas such as:
- biodiversity
- land
- food and agriculture
- climate change and energy
- corporate accountability
- environmental justice
- water and oceans
- human rights
- sustainable development
You'll focus on the global dynamics of environmental law. In particular, you'll look at the mutual influences and interactions among different regulatory levels.
The programme draws both on cutting-edge academic research on global environmental law and governance and on first-hand professional experience at different levels.
The programme leader for the LLM Global Environmental Law & Governance is Antonio Cardesa-Salzmann.
He's also co-director of the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance (SCELG).
Our students
How to become a lawyer
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How to become a lawyer
International Environmental Law 1
This class will introduce you to the foundations of international environmental law, including its subjects, sources, principles and measures of implementation.
It will also provide you with a basic understanding of how compliance and dispute settlement operate in international environmental law, with special focus on the environmental case law of the International Court of Justice.
Global Environmental Law: Issues of Sustainability and Equity
You'll engage in the cutting-edge debate on global environmental law as an approach to understanding the interactions and mutual influences between international, EU, regional, national and sub-national law (including the customary laws of indigenous peoples and local communities and law-making by other non-state actors).
This class also lends itself to explore the relevance of the comparative legal method for a variety of international and transnational environmental legal scholars and practitioners, by discussing the relevance, methods and challenges of comparative environmental law in a global perspective.
Legal Research
This class is offered by distance learning across both semesters. It'll help you enhance your research abilities and skills with a view to improving your performance.
EU Environmental Law
In this course, you'll explore the unique features and complexities of the making, implementation and enforcement of the environmental law of the European Union.
International Climate Change Law
This course will explore the evolving nature and distinctive components of the international legal framework on climate change.
Oceans Governance & the Law of the Sea
This course will explore the main legal regimes related the oceans and seas, with an in-depth focus on recent developments in marine governance in the context of sustainable development.
International Environmental Law 2
In this class you'll explore different sectorial areas of International Environmental Law. In a practical and immersive way you'll learn about the Sustainable Development Goals, International Water Law, Space Law, International Biodiversity Law, the regimes applicable to dangerous substances and the atmosphere. You'll also be introduced to the interaction between international trade and investment and environmental protection.
Learning & teaching
The course will be taught primarily through face-to-face sessions in the form of weekly interactive seminars. Seminars give you the chance to make sure you've fully understood the subject matter, but also to develop and discuss ideas with your peers, and to develop specific research interests.
You'll be expected to draw on the knowledge and skills you've developed in your undergraduate studies, as well as on other professional or academic experience you've acquired since then, and share them with fellow course participants.
In addition to taught seminars, you'll benefit from a wide-range of activities organised by the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance to allow you to broaden your knowledge of and skills in environmental law and policy.
The course is taught by one of the most wide-ranging groups of environmental law experts in the UK. They'll not only draw from their own cutting-edge academic research, but also their involvement in multilateral environmental negotiations, consultancies for the United Nations and regional organisations, legal advice to developing countries on reforms of natural resource laws, and collaborations with non-government organisations and indigenous and local communities’ organisations.
Some of your classes will also include input from many of our external experts and practitioners. This includes those from the:
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
- International Institute for Environment and Development
- European Commission
Assessment
Assessment is based on your performance in coursework and/or written exam papers. Students seeking award of the Masters degree (LLM) will need to complete a dissertation.
Some of the assessments will be based on real-life assignments that the teaching staff have engaged with in the context of their practical experience in international consultancies, with a view to developing your skills of immediate relevance to global employers.
Chat to a student ambassador
If you want to know more about what it’s like to be a Humanities & Social Sciences student at the University of Strathclyde, a selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.
Chat to a student ambassadorEntry requirements
| Academic requirements/experience | First- or second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in law or an environmental-related discipline (some law content recommended). Entry may be possible with other qualifications and substantial professional experience in the area of environmental law, policy and/or management. Please note: a Law degree is not a prerequisite for entry to this course. |
|---|---|
| English language requirements | Please check our English requirements before making your application. |
Interested in postgraduate study?
At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to provide you with all the information you need to kick-start your postgraduate journey at the University of Strathclyde. Register for upcoming events below:
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Studying in Glasgow
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International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland | £9,600 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,600 |
| International | £19,300 |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
| Additional costs | No additional costs for law modules and all compulsory material is in the library. International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland | £10,800 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £10,800 |
| International | £21,700 |
| Available scholarships | British Council GREAT Scholarships 2024 for Justice and Law scholarships worth £10,000 open to applications from students from Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya or Pakistan. Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
| Additional costs | No additional costs for law modules and all compulsory material is in the library. International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Scholarships
- EU Engagement Scholarships are available to EU applicants who would have previously been eligible for Home (Scottish/EU) fee status
- Full-time international (non-EU) students applying to postgraduate study may be eligible for a scholarship worth up to £5,000
Careers
The LLM Global Environmental Law & Governance is one of two programmes in the UK to offer a guaranteed internship to a selected number of its students with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). IIED is a leading international NGO with offices in Edinburgh working in a diverse range of areas of global environmental law and governance, including climate change and investment and natural resources amongst others.
Students on the LLM may also have the opportunity to engage with projects carried out by the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, such as the Climate Change Litigation Initiative (C2LI), where they'll work as research assistants. In the past LLM students have also collaborated closely with staff affiliated with the LLM on individual projects and consultancies with international organisations, leading NGOs and national governments.
This course has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and analytical skills necessary for pursuing a career with a strong international focus. You may go on to work as:
- legal advisors and legislative drafters for national and local governments
- legal advisors to local, national and international think tanks and non-profit organisations
- legal and policy officers for international organisations (United Nations, European Commission)
- legal and policy advisors to private companies
- associates in international and transnational environmental law firms
- PhD researchers and university lecturers
Staff affiliated to the LLM have a track record of successfully supporting students in obtaining highly competitive international internships and jobs with reputable research institutes, international organisations and non-government organisations. Supporting activities include:
- review of applications
- provision of targeted career advice
- integration of new students in a vibrant, cross-programme alumni community, so as to foster networking activities
- collaborations on matters pertaining to global environmental law and governance after the completion of the LLM
LLM students will become part of a closed alumni group on LinkedIn. This will give you the opportunity to network with other professionals in environmental law and governance. It'll also ensure you're updated on selected job opportunities.
Watch our video for top tips on how to maximise your employment opportunities.
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Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
Apply
Start date: Sep 2024
Global Environmental Law and Governance
Start date: Sep 2024
Global Environmental Law and Governance
Start date: Jan 2024
Global Environmental Law and Governance (January)
Start date: Jan 2024
Global Environmental Law and Governance (January)
Contact us
Prospective student enquiries
Contact a member of our team on LiveChat between 10am and 4pm (GMT)
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 444 8600
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