International Environmental Law M1KG16

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Course details

Our LLM in International Environmental Law equips you with the skills and knowledge to make your own contribution to how governments and organisations are seeking to address the profound environment and climate challenges that are having a massive impact on the lives of people around the world.

You will learn about legal techniques and instruments such as treaty-making, governance and legal orders that provide the framework on which internationally agreed environmental goals are based and which support action taken to tackle issues such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, ozone depletion and plastic pollution.

You will also learn about renewable energy and the role of carbon markets and trading regimes and, as well as climate litigation, you will study the crucial human rights dimension in the protection of the environment and the role of the judiciary in governing action taken and changes made.

The course is delivered against a backdrop of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals and will look at international treaties on environmental protection and at the science driving legal developments, providing you with in-depth learning on the principles of international environmental law and on the relationship between legal systems and science in developing such law.

In particular, you will study the Paris Agreement, which represents a significant milestone in the area of international climate change and will look at the objectives and concepts of the agreement in the context of societal change, equity, and the role of science.

The course is designed to address how international environmental law is constantly evolving, how it has shaped legal principles, and how it works together with other areas of law.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

International Law on Climate Change

introduces the topic of climate change, seen as a common concern of humankind and a complex global challenge that involves law, policy and science. You will learn to understand the wider socio-legal context in which climate law and policy is embedded, including aspects of energy law, an ecological perspective on climate impacts and an awareness of the wide-ranging consequences of climate change. You will also study the impact of science on law and policy making on climate change and will learn about contemporary political and legal responses to the issue.

Global Environmental Law

will familiarise you with the institutions, structures, norms, rules and principles across the globe which seek to govern the relationship between human beings and the environment and the module will enable you to understand their legal nature and functions and the barriers to further achievement. You will also analyse the achievements and challenges of the legal attempts to govern the global environment.

Applied Research Methods in Law

provides specialised knowledge on the latest research methods and skills used in legal studies as well as an advanced understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and of their relevance for different forms of legal research. The module also creates a framework within which you will be able to critically assess potential research topics and, importantly, where you will be able to design, discuss and develop a detailed research proposal of the appropriate standard for your dissertation.

The Dissertation

is based on your particular research interest in an area of international environmental law and can be of one of two lengths – 10,000 or 15,000 words. It is equivalent to 2 or 2.5 modules, depending on word count.

Optional modules:

Depending on the dissertation length and prior subject knowledge, you can choose a number of subject specific optional modules (* indicates half modules) which in previous years have included:

Advanced Issues in Human Rights
Advanced Issues in International Intellectual Property Law
Advanced Issue in International Economic Law
Frontiers in Biolaw
Fundamentals of International Law
Law of the Sea
Protection of Human Rights in Europe
Renewable Energy

Any remaining options can be chosen from a wider selection of law modules which have previously included:

Advanced Issues in Corporate Law
Advanced Issues in International Economic Law
China and the International Legal Order
Comparative Corporate Governance
Consumption Tax Law and Policy
International Investment Law
International Perspectives on Law and Gender
Introduction to EU Law
Protection of Human Rights in Europe

Accreditation

The expertise in international environmental law and the understanding of the global response to climate change that you will gain from completing this course, are increasingly important in a broad range of careers outside as well as within the field of environmental law.

As a successful law school, we consistently produce solicitors, barristers and consultants of a high quality who go on to have fulfilling careers as members of the UK Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and as parliamentarians and who work in legal practice or for international institutions or in non-governmental organisations.

Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a career outside of the legal profession. The personal attributes of confidence, leadership, insight and communication that you will develop through the course as well as the skills of analysis, innovation and collaborative working are all highly sought after by employers in a range of professions around the world be it business, journalism or in the fields of sustainability and the environment.

In your search for a challenging and rewarding career, you will be supported by the University’s own career information programme that will help you develop your skills, gain work experience, explore your options, make effective applications and prepare for interviews.

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Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students	£13,600 per year
EU students	£29,600 per year
Island students	£13,600 per year
International students	£29,600 per year

Part Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students	£7,500 per year
EU students	£16,300 per year
Island students	£7,500 per year
International students	£16,300 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Department information

Law

Durham Law School has an outstanding reputation throughout the legal world. Cutting-edge research led by academic experts enables us to make a significant contribution to creating and shaping law in the UK and internationally.

Durham Law School is a global leader in the development and framing of law. Led by academics who are experts in their field, we carry out cutting-edge legal research that feeds into our Masters and research qualifications, building knowledge and nurturing the skills needed to help shape law in the future.

The reputation of the School means our legal know-how is respected by parliamentarians and policy makers around the world. Our academics have been called to give evidence in Parliament and have had their research work quoted by courts and international bodies.

International law and questions of global policy and governance are an area of special interest at Durham, but our expertise extends to other areas including criminal law and criminal justice, ethics, human rights, European law, gender and law, Chinese law, Commercial and Corporate law and Global Justice.

The research-led learning environment in the School is one of commitment, innovation and passion for the subject. Our highly respected research groups organise lectures and seminars offer opportunities to hear from eminent scholars and practitioners. Speakers have included judges from the UK Supreme Court, from the European Court of Justice and leading officials from national and international institutions.

Facilities

Situated close to a number of academic departments and University services with views of the magnificent Durham Cathedral as well as offering easy access to the historic city, we believe that we have one of the most striking and best-equipped law buildings in the UK.

The Law School is located in the University’s award-winning flagship Palatine Centre, part of a £48.4m sustainable building development.

The School’s facilities are purpose-built and state-of-the-art, featuring a moot court, pro bono room, Harvard-style Hogan Lovells lecture theatre, spacious dedicated work suites and modern wireless and audio-video-enabled research spaces and attractive social areas.