LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability
Overview
LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability
What is the LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability?
Address some of the most pressing global challenges of our time, exploring how law responds to environmental change, sustainability, and development on an international scale.
Our LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability at Essex Law School examines the complex legal and policy questions that arise from the need to achieve environmental protection, social justice, and economic resilience. You will explore how law shapes the decision-making of governments, businesses, and international organisations, and how it impacts communities and the natural world.
This course offers a flexible and interdisciplinary approach, allowing you to study across environmental law, international law, human rights, corporate responsibility, and trade and investment law. You will develop the technical knowledge and critical skills needed to navigate competing priorities across environmental, political, economic, and social systems. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Why this course
- Tackle global sustainability challenges: Explore how law responds to climate change, development, and environmental protection across jurisdictions.
- Interdisciplinary learning: Study across environmental law, human rights, international law, and business to understand complex global systems.
- Flexible module choices: Tailor your degree by selecting from a wide range of specialist and optional modules aligned to your interests.
- Develop critical legal skills: Build your analytical, communication, and advocacy skills to operate effectively in global legal and policy contexts.
- Research excellence: Part of a law school ranked 3rd in the UK for research power (REF2021).
Who should apply
- The Sustainability Advocate: Students passionate about environmental protection, climate justice, and sustainable development.
- The Globally Minded Lawyer: Applicants interested in the intersection of international law, policy, and environmental governance.
- The Policy and NGO Professional: Individuals aiming for careers in international organisations, government, or non-profit sectors.
What you’ll learn
You will explore the legal frameworks and obligations that shape environmental governance at national and international levels, alongside the tensions between competing priorities such as economic growth, sustainability, and human rights. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Key areas of study may include:
- International Environmental Law and Sustainability
- Human Rights, Development and the Environment
- Trade, Investment, Environment and Human Rights
- Corporate Responsibility and Business Law
- Public International Law
You will also have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to your academic and professional interests. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
We understand that choosing where and what to study is an important decision. We'll make all reasonable efforts to deliver the courses, services and facilities described on our website. If changes are required, we will inform applicants and students as soon as possible.
Your learning experience
Postgraduate students in Essex Law School typically attend two-hour workshops, or a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module each week. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Taught through small-group, interactive seminars that encourage critical thinking and debate.
- Opportunities to attend guest lectures and events with leading academics and practitioners.
- Assessment through coursework, examinations, or a combination of both.
Your dissertation is normally between 12,000 and 15,000 words, enabling you to undertake an independent research project on a topic within law, environment, and sustainability. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
You will join a diverse, international community, gaining a wide range of perspectives and building a global network of contacts.
- Volunteer at the Essex Law Clinic and gain hands-on legal experience.
- Participate in mooting competitions to develop advocacy skills.
- Engage with student societies such as Model United Nations.
- Access networking opportunities with visiting law firms and professionals.
Careers and outcomes
This course prepares you for a wide range of careers in environmental law, policy, and international governance. Graduates progress into roles within international organisations, government, NGOs, and the legal profession. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from dedicated careers support, networking opportunities, and access to alumni working across sustainability and environmental sectors.
We also work closely with the University's Employability and Careers Centre to help you secure work experience, internships, and other professional opportunities.
- We are ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Law (THE research power measure, REF2021).
- Learn about the legal and non-mandatory obligations that relate to different national and international actors.
- Choose from optional modules to develop extensive knowledge in the areas that interest you the most.
Course content
Course structure
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: CORE
The dissertation is an independent and research-led piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. You will undertake an individual research programme and apply appropriate methodologies on a topic within the scope of the LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability course. The topic will be approved by your academic supervisor and the postgraduate taught director, and provides an opportunity to develop and display an extensive knowledge of the law and, drawing on applicable legislation, case law and scholarly works, to engage in critical evaluation and analysis of relevant legal issues.
View Dissertation - Law, Environment and Sustainability on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
This module introduces students to the critical study of international environmental law and sustainable development with an emphasis on the practical effects that these areas of law have on the decision-making, whether that be of States themselves, international organisations or businesses. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
View International Environmental Law and Sustainability on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
What does it mean to be an international lawyer? Understand the founding principles of international law. Apply the tools and techniques of legal reasoning to the international legal system. Understand how the system of international law works and form your own views through discussions of contemporary issues.
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
This module is a compulsory module for all LLM in International Law students on all pathways, which aims to develop students’ academic skills as required for the postgraduate study of international law. This module has been designed to be taken alongside the module LW902 Public International Law (also compulsory for all LLM in International Law students). The LW949 Academic Skills in International Law module equips students with the technical skills required to engage in research and study of public international law, including academic referencing of scholarship, treaties, cases of international courts and tribunals. Students also develop the necessary skills to analyse international legal materials, complete both essay and problem-based questions within the field, produce high-quality independent writing at postgraduate level, and reflect upon feedback. This module will also prepare students for the foundation essay (formative essay) for the LLM in International Law. This is a formative essay, which provides an opportunity for students to engage with postgraduate level reading and writing on a topic of international law, and to submit an essay for the first time at LLM level. As a valuable learning tool, students receive feedback on their foundation essay, allowing them to reflect accordingly for future coursework with a view on how to further develop their skills throughout their postgraduate degree.
View Postgraduate Academic Legal Skills on our Module Directory
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 Degree in Law or a joint honours Degree in another subject with Law.
Applicants who do not hold a Law Degree but who have at least six months of relevant professional experience, traineeships, or professional qualifications/certifications issued by professional bodies such as Bar Associations can apply and will be considered. Please provide your CV.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£11,025
International fee
£23,875
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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