Program Overview

Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy

Overview

Natural Resources form the bedrock of global economic development, however, development and use of natural resources have implications for the environment, often leading to other socio-economic and political challenges such as poverty, disease and conflicts, especially in developing countries. The resulting environmental impacts such as climate change, pollution and degradation of habitats and species extinction has also raised serious challenges for governance and diplomacy at the international level, often pitting international economic policies and frameworks with natural resources and environmental governance.

This course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the law and policy issues in this area, and skills necessary to pursue a career in this exciting field, whether this be in private legal practice, as in-house lawyers in corporations, policy-oriented work in intergovernmental and other international institutions in advocacy in civil society organisations.

The course offers a wide range of modules that are contemporary, academically rigorous and skills oriented. The design ensures you gain core knowledge of the wider context framing law and policy in this field whilst giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests by choosing from a range of specialist modules. You will explore emerging issues such as a low carbon economy, unconventional and alternative energy, the regulation and governance of multinational corporations and the responsibility of states in addressing these concerns.

Entry Requirements

• 2:2 or above in any subject, or relevant work experience at graduate level.
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS at 6.5 or equivalent with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-test.

Curriculum

First Year

Core

• Regulatory theory and practice
• Dissertation
• Foundations of Law and Skills
• Sustainable development law in contemporary business and society

Optional

• Law and Ethics of Technology and Artificial Intelligence
• Policy Analysis of Governance and Development
• Climate Change Law and Policy
• Business Human Rights and Environment
• Natural Resource Governance
• Waste Management Law and the circular economy
• Mining and Critical Minerals Law and Policy
• Emerging Issues in Law
• International Water Resources Law
• International Environmental Law
• International Energy Law and Just Transition
• International Environmental Law

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching on the programme will typically involve a combination of formal workshop styled seminars, group discussions, directed reading and personal research. Case study analysis and discussion is used to contextualise learning and the application of techniques.

You will work in small groups which encourages participative learning, provides experience of working with people from different cultures, and helps to develop organisational skills. As your confidence with the material and research skills increase, you will be expected to work more independently and lead sessions either alone or within a group.

There are no timed, closed book examinations for this programme. Instead, we use a variety of programme work assignments to develop and test their research, critical thinking, problem solving and writing skills. You might therefore be asked to write a traditional academic essay, to create a portfolio of activities, to write a book review or develop a research plan. The type of assessment for each module will be specified in the module descriptor with more detail being available in the module handbook.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fee

• Home: £8,136
• International: £21,490

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs. You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career Prospects

Our courses are shaped by the School of Law International Advisory Board, made up of leading figures in the judiciary and legal practice, academia and wider industry and society who advise us on the skills and competencies needed in the current and future workplace. This feeds into the design and delivery of our courses, ensuring our students gain knowledge and experience that is not only academically rigorous but valued by employers.

Career Opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Meet Our Academics

• Professor Engobo Emeseh
• Dr Rosalili Wan Rosli
• Dr Mark Van Hoorebeek
• Dr Christopher Taylor
• Dr Ajay Kumar
• Edward Mowlam
• Dr Charles Wild
• Tamarakemiebi Koroye
• Dr Irekpitan Okukpon
• Dr Victoria Nalule
• Ovo Catherine Imoedemhe
• Dr Erebi Ndoni