LLM International Law and the Environment

The world is experiencing an unprecedented environmental crisis. A rich body of international norms and institutions has developed in response to this crisis, attempting to address problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, or transboundary pollution.

This LLM provides students with an opportunity to critically appraise the manner in which international law governs the relationship between mankind and the natural world. The course sets international environmental law in its broader philosophical, historical and political contexts, and engages students in an interdisciplinary study of the transnational legal processes designed to prevent and respond to environmental challenges. The LLM also emphasises the complex relationship between environmental regulation and other fields of law, such as trade or human rights law.

Why Study International Law and Environment at Keele?

The Keele Law School has a long tradition of academic expertise in the field of international law. These subjects have been taught at Keele by world-renowned experts such as Michael Akehurst and Patrick Thornberry. In recent years, the Keele Law School has invested heavily in the area of international law. Students will be taught by dynamic academic staff with a wide range of expertise and research interests.

Keele is a pioneer and leader in cross-disciplinary education. Students on the LLM in International Law and Human Rights will take modules in both the Law School and the School of Politics, International Relations and the Environment (SPIRE). Students also have the opportunity to study modern languages - including key UN languages - as part of their degree, increasing their range of professional skills. Keele currently offers courses in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Course Structure

The programme can be completed in 12 months full-time, or 24 months part-time. There is also an opportunity to take the course on a modular basis, spreading modules over a period of 2 to 5 years, allowing maximum flexibility.

Academic Entry Requirements

You should have a first or second class honours degree (or foreign equivalent) in Law or a related discipline. Applications are welcome from current legal practitioners or any other person with appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience.

English Language Entry Requirements For International Students

Applicants for whom English is not the first language must provide evidence of qualification in the English language. The minimum score for entry to the LLM is academic IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL 91). Students who have taken one of the English language qualifications but did not achieve the required grade may be admitted to the programme provided that they study on a pre-sessional English Language course before they start their degree studies.

Keele University currently accepts Tofel iBT tests that have been taken outside of the United Kingdom. All Tofel iBT tests will need to be taken no longer than two years prior to your start date at Keele and must be verifiable with ETS. If you have taken your Tofel iBT test in the UK please contact the admissions team for more information.

Careers

The LLM in International Law and the Environment is a gateway to a range of employment opportunities. These include careers in international NGOs, charities, international organisations like the UN, policy think-tanks, advocacy groups, government and academia. Increasingly, the private sector is also looking for professionals with a strong background in environmental law and policy due to the rapid development of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and corporate sustainability standards.