Program Overview

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Law LLM (Environmental & Natural Resources Law)

Course Fact File

• Code: LLMENR
• Duration: 1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
• Teaching Mode: Full-time, Part-Time
• Qualifications: LLM
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
• Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
• Start Date: 8 September 2025

Course Outline

Our LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at University College Cork takes advantage of a concentration of legal expertise in the field at the School of Law where our staff have held advisory roles with a wide range of Irish and international agencies and organisations.

The LLM programme at UCC offers you a wide variety of legal topics ranging across traditional areas of environmental law, policy regulation, and governance, as well as planning and land-use law, heritage protection, international environmental law, marine environmental law, natural resources law, and human rights law.

Modules

• Full-time: 90 credits including 70 credits of core/taught modules and 20 credits of elective modules.
• Part-time: 40 credits in Year 1, including a minimum of 25 credits of core modules; 50 credits in Year 2, including LW6631 and any core modules not already taken in Year 1.

Core Modules

• LW6652 Legal Research Methods and Writing (5 credits)
• LW6659 LLM Dissertation (25 credits)

Taught Modules

• LW6581 Method in Environmental Law (5 credits)
• LW6617 International Biodiversity and Ecosystems Law and Policy (5 credits)
• LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)
• LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)
• LW6645 Marine Environmental and Natural Resources Law (10 credits)
• LW6649 Environmental Law in Practice (10 credits)

Elective Modules (20 credits)

Students must take at least 10 credits from List A.

List A

• GG6501 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)
• GG6502 Introduction to Remote Sensing (5 credits)
• LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (5 credits)
• LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
• LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)
• LW6620 Introduction to the Law of the Sea (10 credits)
• LW6623 Global Maritime Security (5 credits)
• LW6624 Port Law (5 credits)
• LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)
• LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)
• LW6642* Environmental Law Clinic (10 credits)
• LW6643 Negotiation and Mediation (10 credits)
• LW6644 Managing Complex Disputes (10 credits)

List B: Undergraduate Modules * (Max. 10 credits)

• LW2216 Humanitarianism and the Law (5 credits)
• LW3371 Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law (5 credits)
• LW3372 Environmental Law: Contemporary Issues in Governance, Regulation, and Enforcement (5 credits)

Course Practicalities

The course involves a combination of lectures and directed study. Some programme modules are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays, in order to facilitate a flexible workload programme to students, particularly those with a professional career.

Assessment

Individual module assessments can be viewed in the Book of Modules. Most programme and non-programme modules are assessed by way of continuous assessment (essays).

Why Choose This Course

This programme aims to equip you with the skills to participate and excel in any aspect of professional engagement with environmental and natural resources law, policy, or regulation.

Requirements

Applicants must be approved by the School of Law. Applicants must normally hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8). Applicants with other third-level qualifications and/or relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply.

Fees and Costs

See the Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

How To Apply

1. Check dates
2. Gather documents
3. Apply online