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Learn from world leading academics scholars on one of the top 10 LLM environmental programmes in the world (LLM Guide 2024).
Overview
Environmental protection is one of the key challenges of our times and a fascinating area of academic study. Join us at UCL for one of the most comprehensive offerings of LLM Environmental Law modules, in the heart of legal London. UCL’s LLM in Environmental Law and Policy provides students with the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of our environmental future. This 10-month programme provides students with strong foundations to succeed in a wide range of careers. Our shorter study period enables students to fast-track their careers and gain a competitive edge in the job market. For those already in practice, part-time study options are available over two to five years.
You will be taught by world-leading environmental law scholars. Our research-led teaching ensures that what you learn is relevant in any jurisdiction. Centred on the legal, regulatory, and justice challenges posed by environmental problems, our programme is global, local, and everything in between. Environmental law's reach spans global and local spheres. Our LLM modules explore its core concepts and diverse applications. From climate change to land use, students delve into the field's multifaceted nature. These courses provide a comprehensive look at how environmental regulations shape our world.
Why choose this programme?
The programme is designed for law graduates who are looking to practice in environmental law as well as practitioners who aim to develop their legal expertise. One of the best things about this specialism is the diversity of our student body. Our diverse student body brings their respective experiences and different forms of expertise.
Types of graduates who study on this specialism include those who recently completed their undergraduate law degree; practicing lawyers looking to further specialise in envrionmental law; environmental lawyers wanting to deepen their knowledge; and lawyers who have been working for government, NGOs and businesses.
Who should apply?
The programme is designed for law graduates who are looking to practice in environmental law as well as practitioners who aim to develop their legal expertise. One of the best things about this specialism is the diversity of our student body. Our diverse student body brings their respective experiences and different forms of expertise and this programme typically attracts those who have recentlyy completed their undergraduate law degree, practicing lawyers looking to further specialise in envrionmental law, environmental lawyers wanting to deepen their knowledge and lawyers who have been working for governmnet, NGOs and businesses.
Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements to find out the exact requirements for this programme.
Programme structure
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, and tutorials. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly in seminars and tutorials.
Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations or group projects.
During the programme, you will research and write a 9000-word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.
- Full-time students
Terms one and two
There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Laws Graduate Law Society. During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM programme. In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes. You will be asked to indicate your Research Essay topic in October and you will be allocated an RE advisor who provides guidance on choosing the topic and researching and writing the essay.
Term three
Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two. During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.
- Part-time students
You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
Your degree will be completed over two academic years In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules. In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay. You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.- You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
- Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
- Modular/flexible students
You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree. You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years). We will prompt you to select modules each year.- You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
- Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
- You may wish to have a year or more where you do not take any modules; this is possible.
- It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits.
Modules
Students will need to obtain a total of 180 credits consisting of taught modules and a Research Essay to successfully complete the programme. Students choosing a LLM specialist degree are required to select a minimum of 60 credits from the qualifying modules listed below. Students are required to write their Research Essay in the area of the specialism.
Students are advised to plan their modules choices and Research Essay carefully and in advance. You will select your modules at pre-enrolment, before arrival.
Below is an example of the suite of modules you can expect to chose from. The taught modules offered on the LLM programme vary from year to year. Please note that modules are subject to cancellation and change, including changes in module convenors and type of assessment and the modules listed below are to be confirmed for the 2025/26 session. Applicants and offer-holders are therefore advised to check this site regularly for further updates and changes prior to the start of the programme in September. Module places may be limited and will be subject to availability where there is a high demand and exceeds resources.
- Modules in LLM Environmental Law and Policy
Advanced Foundations of Environmental Law
Environmental Lawyering
International and Global Environmental Law
Law and Policy of Climate Change
Law and Policy of International Trade and the Environment- Modules across LLM Law
Access to Justice: Theory & Practice
Advanced Foundations of International Law of Foreign Investment
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Aspects of National Security
Carriage of Goods by Sea
Commercial Remedies
Comparative Constitutional Law
Comparative Corporate Governance
Comparative Human Rights Law
Competition Law (EU & UK)
Competition Law, Regulation and the Intangible Economy
Constitutional Theory
Copyright and Related Rights, Law of
Corporate Finance
Corporations, Finance and the Environment
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
Decolonizing Law
Foreign Relations Law
Foundations and Principles of International Law
Human Rights at Work
International and Commercial Trusts Law
International and Comparative Secured Transactions
International and European Refugee Law
International Arbitration
International Commercial Litigation
International Criminal Law
International Human Rights Law
International Trade Law
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition A
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory A
Law and Policy of Climate Change
Law of Patents
Law, Economics and Society: The Foundations of Capitalism
Legal Aspects of International Finance
Liquidation and its Consequences
Marine Insurance Law
Principles of Civil Justice
Privacy, Data and Surveillance Law
Regulation of Financial Markets
The Law and Regulation of Banks and FinTech Services
The Rule of Law in the European Union
Trade Marks and Unfair Competition in the UK, Europe and the United States
Career prospects
UCL LLM graduates are highly sought after and possess a distinct competitive advantage, well-equipped to pursue rewarding career opportunities. Our students leverage the environmental law and policy expertise gained on this LLM in various ways, including but not limited to:
- Private Practice: Engaging with firms and chambers, including ClientEarth and many others.
- Public Sector: Working for their home governments in the fight against climate change, at DEFRA, or joining regulators like the Environment Agency.
- NGOs and Third Sector: Contributing to organizations such as the AIRE Centre.
Additionally, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for further research beyond the LLM, preparing them for PhD programmes and academic careers. Our graduates are well-prepared to make significant contributions across various sectors, reflecting the comprehensive and impactful nature of their education at UCL.