Teaching & courses

The Centre for Law and the Environment acts as a focal point for the study of environmental law at UCL. Our members offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a wide range of themes, including environmental governance and regulation at domestic, EU and international levels; environmental justice; sustainability; and the increasingly significant issues of energy, climate change, and natural resources.

Students join a thriving community of environmental academics and doctoral students at UCL. To complement their studies, students can take part in conferences, policy seminars and career events involving leading experts from law firms, NGOs, public bodies and the commercial sector.

Environmental law on the taught masters (LLM) programme

Students from all over the world with diverse professional and personal experience take our postgraduate environmental law courses. They gain a thorough and critical appreciation of legal responses to environmental problems at all levels of governance (local, national, EU and international), from a range of theoretical and practical perspectives. Many of our students go on to enjoy careers in environmental law, working in government, IGOs, NGOs, academia, private legal practice and the broader commercial sector.

Students have the possibility to combine a number of environmental courses when studying for the specialist LLM in Environmental Law and Policy. Environment courses can also be chosen as part of the general LLM or the specialist LLM in commercial law. Whether specialist or general, the LLM can be studied full time, part time or on a flexible basis (click here for further information). Courses can also be taken in the context of Continuing Professional Education.

The range of environmental law courses at UCL includes the following. Note that some courses may not be available in particular semesters.

Environmental Regulation and Governance

Corporations, Global Business and Environmental Protection

International Energy Law

Law and Policy of Climate change

International Environmental Law

For some information on these courses, and for an overview of the programme, visit our LLM Programme page or LLM Specialist Degrees page.

Comments from Previous Students who took LLM courses in environmental law

“The LLM gave me first hand experience of the linkages between international and national laws and policies as they relate to the environment and helped me better understand the complex relationships between the related institutions and stakeholders.”2004/5, UK, Co-founder and director, Environmental NGO, South Africa

“UCL is the place for environmental law, it has a buzz to it and staff and students with a wide range of backgrounds and connections. The courses cover the jurisprudential, political and practical elements of the subject. For me it was the perfect springboard into practice.” 2007/8 UK, currently a practicing barrister specializing in environmental law, London

“The LLM was of great assistance in opening doors to a career in environmental law. I have returned time and time again to the themes we covered on the UCL Environmental Law LLM course in my work as an environmental lawyer”. 2008/10 UK, Principal Solicitor, Natural England

“Doing an LL.M. in environmental law at UCL was not only challenging but also greatly rewarding and a huge accomplishment. This has opened new horizons to me.” 2009/10, French, currently a Consultant, UN Food and Agricultural Organization , Rome

“Specializing at UCL in Environmental Law and Policy allowed me to take my level of knowledge on the topic to the next level, and to create a valuable network that has helped me to succeed in a career abroad.” 2011/12, United States, currently a lawyer for ClientEarth, London

“Having studied environmental law at UCL meant that, apart from receiving a world class education in the field, when entering the professional world of environmental law my credentials and knowledge were immediately recognised.” 2012/13, Cyprus, currently a lawyer for ClientEarth, Brussels

“The LLM in environmental law at UCL introduced me to a critical thinking of this subject through the legal research and discussion of key issues of UK and EU environmental law, thus providing the tools to re-think and apply environmental law in other jurisdictions. 2012/13

“Studying environmental law at UCL not only gave me the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in this fascinating subject, but also introduced me to a community dedicated to producing and sharing world-class research”2012/13

“Studying for the LLM at UCL provided a real opportunity to meet and be taught by leading academics in the field of environmental law and has opened the door to a host of exciting new career prospects.” 2012/13

For further Programme information

UCL Faculty of Laws
Postgraduate Office
llm-law@ucl.ac.uk
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/prospective/llm/index.shtml?llm_programme