Law, Environment and Sustainability

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(LLM) Master of Laws
Law, Environment and Sustainability
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
LLM M2D424
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

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.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code


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.

Course qualifiers

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

None

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

You must complete all core and compulsory modules and the required number of optional modules (as noted on the full-time version of this course) during your two years of study. When you start your course, please contact your School or Department office to agree on the sequence in which you will take your core, compulsory and optional modules.

External examiners

Staff photo
Dr Avidan Kent

Associate Professor

University of East Anglia

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Exit Award Status
Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Credits PG Diploma PG Certificate
01 LW949-7-AU-CO Academic Skills in International Law Compulsory 15 Compulsory Compulsory
02 LW902-7-SP-CO Public International Law Compulsory 15 Compulsory Compulsory
03 LW928-7-AU-CO International Environmental Law and Sustainability Compulsory 15 Compulsory Compulsory
04 Option from list Optional 15 Optional Optional

Year 2 - 2025/26

Exit Award Status
Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Credits PG Diploma PG Certificate
01 LW532-7-FY-CO Dissertation - Law, Environment and Sustainability Core 60 Optional
02 Law, Environment and Sustainability option(s) from list Optional 30 Optional Optional
03 Law, Environment and Sustainability option(s) from list Optional 40 Optional Optional

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims


  1. Enable students to form an advanced, systematic conceptual understanding of international, regional and national law with respect to the protection of the environment and sustainability that is informed by insight based on scholarship at the forefront of the discipline.

  2. Set the study of environmental protection and sustainability in their broader contexts, through engagement with the various contributing regimes of international law, including international environmental law, international trade and investment law, international human rights law, as well as the law relating to businesses and corporate responsibility, and the law governing related international institutions such as those under the auspices of the United Nations.

  3. Enable students to understand, evaluate and develop a critical awareness of the key contemporary legal and governance issues relating to protection of the environment and different aspects of sustainability within the context of the concept of ‘sustainable development’.

  4. Enable students to develop critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills.

  5. Produce graduates who can conduct independent research and construct coherent, well written arguments



Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the fundamental legal rules, methodologies, concepts, models, principles and institutions relating to environmental protection and sustainability at relevant national and international levels

A2: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the legal regimes relating to business, industry and trade that play decisive roles in the protection of the environment and sustainability

A3: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the intersections that exist between human rights, development, social justice and protection of the environment and sustainability

A4: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the range of different legal and policy options available for the national and international community as it seeks to address protection of the environment and sustainability

A5: Learn some areas of international environmental law and sustainability in depth

Learning methods

A1-A5 are acquired through large group interactive classes, which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students, and through seminars which allow for dynamic interaction based on directed, pre-set reading. A1 – A5 are reinforced by the formatively assessed Foundation Essay and independent research for the dissertation.


Students are expected to undertake thorough and in-depth independent research for modules and, in particular, the dissertation, which involves the analysis of primary and secondary sources. They are required to submit research of high quality which involves not only a thorough analysis of law but also of the economic, cultural, political and societal actors which underpin it. The analysis will involve a variety of legal documents that range from national laws to international conventions and it is based on the referencing of a wide range of resources which include reports, articles, books as well as conference papers and national and international case law. The essays in question form an original piece of research and require a high level of skills. Students will also be tested on their understanding and knowledge in examinations for some modules, to showcase their ability to think on-the-spot without support of secondary material.


Assessment methods

A combination of assessment methods will be used. Testing the knowledge-base for A1 - A5 is through unseen examinations, take home examinations, module essays, the foundation essay and the dissertation.


B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching.

B2: Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources.

B3: Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve complex problems even in the absence of complete data

B4: Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.

B5: Produce a comprehensive, coherent and sophisticated synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic.

B6: Critically evaluate the merits of particular arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.

B7: Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies and, where necessary, propose new hypotheses.

B8: Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate the conclusions clearly.

B9: Demonstrate and exercise independence and originality of thought in the application of knowledge

Learning methods

Skills B1 through B9 are obtained and developed through discussion groups and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and practical problem solving (hypothetical and actual). B5 and B6 are also enabled through lectures. All skills are complemented by class-independent reading undertaken by students in the light of guidance by lecturers and discussion tasks. Intellectual and cognitive skills are also acquired through written and oral feedback on coursework. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1 and B3. B7 - B9 are learned through in-class discussion.


In addition, the dissertation requires students to identify a precise research question, to apply primary and secondary legal and other relevant resources, to critically assess major legal questions and problems and to suggest solutions or take side in a debate. The analysis involves legal, political, historical, cultural as well as doctrinal matters and requires the students to make reasoned arguments which should be well-referenced in literature and jurisprudence. They are required to criticise the existing parties to major debates as well as to take sides and choose between contrasting views. The dissertation is a demanding piece of independent research which requires a high level legal analysis.


Assessment methods

A combination of assessment methods will be used, which will enable the students to demonstrate successful development of all B skills. Some modules will be assessed through unseen exams, take home exams, and some through essays. Independent working is also assessed through the dissertation (B9).


C: Practical skills

C1: Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources.

C2: Co-apply multiple applicable regimes of national and international law as they relate to a given practical problem.

C3: Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts in context to applied problems, actual or hypothetical.

C4: Debate and critically analyse contemporary challenges in the area of study.

Learning methods

A precise use of legal terminology is at the centre of the relevant analysis. The students are required and taught as to how to analyse a field of law which is quite well researched in the past and yet to be able to submit an original piece of work; it involves their ability to criticise, analyse, compare, explain well-researched questions or aspects of law which are yet relatively unexplored.


Skills C1 and C2 are developed through preparation for seminars and the large group interactive classes, and through research for the Foundation Essay and Dissertation.
In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet and legal databases when researching their assessed work in order to find primary and appropriate secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format.
Skills C3 and C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion.
Skill C4 is particularly developed through the Foundation Essay and Dissertation.
Skills C1 - C4 are developed in seminars, large group interactive classes, and the Foundation Essay, which assessment reinforces their learning by students.


Inclusivity is achieved through the use of Moodle to communicate resources and teaching materials, through different styles of teaching and learning and through different types of assessment, for example through ‘open book’ essays and the dissertation.


Assessment methods

A combination of assessment methods will be used. Skills C1 - C4 are assessed through summative take home exams, unseen exams, essays/problem questions, the foundation essay and the Dissertation.


Inclusivity is achieved through the use of Moodle to communicate resources and teaching materials, through different styles of teaching and learning and through different types of assessment. 


D: Key skills

D1: Both orally and in writing, (i) work with the English language proficiently in relation to legal matters; (ii) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner, (iii) Analyse a range of materials that are complex and technical.

D2: (i) Produce a word-processed dissertation as well as other essays or texts in an appropriate form and (ii) effectively use online academic and other resources to facilitate the research process.

D3: A student should be able to: Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.

D4: (i) Analyse complex factual and hypothetical scenarios and (ii) Identify key legal questions and apply relevant law and effective research methodologies thereto.

D5: Participate in group work, where appropriate, to the benefit of the group as a whole

D6: (i) With limited guidance, reflect on own learning, and make use of feedback, and (ii) demonstrate the ability to plan and undertake effective independent research

Learning methods

Skills D1, D2, D4 and D5 are acquired through discussion in class where students debate legal issues and problems as well as through the foundation essay and dissertation.


Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 will be developed through writing summatively assessed and formative coursework and consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions.


Skill D3 is developed, where necessary, in modules and assessments where students are required to read figures and statistics in the context of various empirical studies, such as LW915 (Human Rights, Development and the Environment) and LW917 (Trade, Investment, Environment and Human Rights), LW930 (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Context).Skill D5 is particularly developed through group work exercises conducted in seminars.


Skill D6 is developed through continual oral feedback in learning and teaching sessions to stimulate self-reflection and personal learning development, including through researching and writing the dissertation.


Assessment methods

Skills D1 - D6 are assessed through essays, take home exams, unseen exams and the dissertation, including D3 where necessary.


Skill D5 is formatively assessed through interactive engagement during lectures and discussion groups.


Inclusivity is achieved through the use of Moodle to communicate resources and teaching materials, through different styles of teaching and learning and through different types of assessment.



Note

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 a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or 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 full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.