Program Overview

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The international community faces considerable challenges in achieving sustainability relating to all aspects of the environment and development. These goals include the need to achieve social justice and economic resilience, and as such pose complex legal and policy questions. Law plays an integral role in these processes as its development affects and influences the decision-making of governments and businesses, and impacts directly upon communities and the environments in which they live. Our LLM Law, Environment and Sustainability course offers the opportunity to study across a wide range of modules in the areas of environmental law, development law, international law, corporate and commercial law, human rights, corporate responsibility, trade and investment law to enable you to become technically capable in these areas and to enhance your analytical, communication and advocacy skills needed to operate effectively within these spheres. You will learn about the legal and non-mandatory obligations that relate to different national and international actors, and the tensions that exist within different legal systems and frameworks of law that sometimes represent competing environmental, political, economic, social and developmental priorities. Throughout the degree you will have the opportunity to study key areas, including but not limited to:

• International Environmental Law and Sustainability
• Human Rights, Development and the Environment
• Trade, Investment, Environment and Human Rights
• Corporate Responsibility and Business Law
• International Law of the Sea
• Business and Human Rights
• Public International Law

The degree also uniquely enables students to study other optional subjects that include specific components that relate directly to the environment and sustainability. These include:

• Economic Social and Cultural Rights.
• Acute Crises and Displacement
• Human Rights, Global Diversity and Global Challenges
• Competition Law
• Conflict and the United Nations: The Law Related to the Use of Force, Sanctions and Peacekeeping
• Corporate Governance Models and Principles
• International Trade and Maritime Law
• Law of Armed Conflict
• Maritime Law and Wet Shipping

Therefore you will be able to tailor your LLM to your own specific interests and requirements. The degree will develop your intellectual and critical faculties, encourage you to think independently and teach you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing. It will provide you with an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers. We are ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Law (THE research power measure, REF2021) and are 47th for Law in the THE World University Rankings (2023). This course is also available on a part-time basis. As part of the degree, you will be required to research and write dissertation which is normally between 12-15,000 words. Supervision and guidance is provided. Why we're great.

• 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.

Our expert staff

Our internationally diverse community of staff and students gives us a breadth of cross-cultural perspectives and insights into law and justice around the world. This community, combined with opportunities to study abroad during your time with us, ensures you graduate with a genuine worldview and a network of international contacts.

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Specialist facilities

• Volunteer at the Essex Law Clinic where you can work alongside practicing solicitors to offer legal advice to clients
• Participate in mooting competitions to develop your skills, particularly important if you hope to become a barrister
• Join our Model United Nations society, which can improve your skills of argumentation, oral presentation and research
• Take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the year with visiting law firms

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Your future

Essex Law School graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers in international and intergovernmental organisations or employment with governments across the world, in commerce and banking, in non-governmental organisations and, as might be expected, in the legal profession and the judiciary. During the year, we hold a careers session for our students in which we reflect upon our own careers and how they have been built as well as those from former students. We are always available to discuss career options and if you are interested in a particular area of the law, we can link you up with the relevant alumni to offer advice. We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.