Program Overview

LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice

Overview

The LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice enables students to apply the law to the significant environmental challenges of the 21st century. The course provides both breadth and depth of analysis into environmental issues through an integrated approach to environmental law that weaves in concepts and theories about sustainability, justice, and human rights.

Key Facts

• Award: LLM, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
• Start date: September 2025
• Duration: 12 months
• Mode of study: full time
• Delivery: on campus

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Focus on sustainable development and climate change
• Consider environmental law from an interdisciplinary perspective
• Research-intensive and employment-focused

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will have:

• knowledge, understanding, and skills at the Masters level that are appropriate for careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, and business
• in-depth insights into relevant legal, political, social, and economic issues related to environmental law at the national, regional, and international level (multi-level governance)
• an understanding of the dynamics of the past and current environmental law, policy-making, and governance, as well as likely future developments in the area
• the academic foundation for progression to PhD-level study

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• A minimum of a second-class Honours degree or equivalent
• Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply

International Entry Requirements

• View the entry requirements for your country

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking, and 17 in writing

Course Details

Environmental issues are among the most pressing across the globe. Whether in relation to climate change, biodiversity loss, or environmental harm, solutions are urgently needed in law to mitigate, adapt, reduce, or prevent significant impacts. This LLM degree addresses these concerns and canvasses potential solutions, enabling students to develop the skills and expertise needed to make a lasting and positive impact on the planet.

Modules

• The module information below provides an example of the types of course modules you may study
• Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years

Teaching

• All modules are delivered through small group learning and teaching, which provides an opportunity for interaction between students and staff
• Students are taught via a mix of lectures and seminars depending on the preference of the instructor
• Guest lectures are often arranged for some modules

Fieldwork

• Attendance at academic and/or practitioner conferences is encouraged
• LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice candidates will be signposted to such events throughout the course

Assessment

• Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, with the weighting varying dependent on the nature of the material taught

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship
• Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship

Scholarships and Funding

• If you have the talent, ability, and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances
• Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships

After You Graduate

Climate change is increasingly regarded as the challenge of our generation – which is why environmental law and climate justice are amongst the most topical societal issues at the moment. As a result, there’s a great demand for employees who have specialised legal knowledge in environmental law.

Our graduates are also well-placed to pursue careers in:

• government and regulatory authorities
• international bodies
• non-governmental organisations and charities
• pressure groups, including those from the energy and environmental sectors

Related Courses

• MSc, LLM Human Rights and Diplomacy
• MSc Environmental Management
• MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences