Program Overview
This online LLM program combines energy law and environmental law, equipping graduates to tackle global climate challenges. Taught by industry experts and academics, the program provides a transnational perspective on energy ownership and environmental protection. Graduates gain expertise for careers in energy, environmental law, and related fields, with potential for job creation in a shifting global economy.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This online LLM program provides the legal framework for careers in both energy and environmental law. It tackles the world's greatest climate challenges by covering both energy management and environmental protection in one program. The program is designed to help students answer today's biggest challenges and support careers in both fields. According to the UN, a shift to a greener economy is estimated to create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030. You can be confident that anything you learn here is enriched with up-to-date research and career-focused content. By adopting a transnational, multi-jurisdictional approach to energy ownership and environmental protection, our lecturers will prepare you to take on a host of local and global legal issues.
Outline:
The 180-credit program is split between six modules, plus a final dissertation. Spanning 2.5 years, you'll have time to delve deeply into the module content and reflect on everything you've learnt.
Core Modules:
- Environmental and energy regulation: Exploring different forms of environmental and energy regulation around the world, you'll learn how the environmental impact of energy systems is regulated, and when, where and how the law intervenes in ordinary market transactions.
- Assessment and financing of energy projects: Examining both the environmental assessment and the financial impact of energy infrastructure, you'll understand how big energy projects must repay the financial costs incurred in setting them up without incurring environmental costs too.
- Oil and gas law: Assessing ownership of natural resources, this module explores the licensing of natural resource exploitation, the processes involved in refining and distributing oil and gas, the transportation of resources to other countries and issues concerning their consumption.
- Environmental protection and pollution control: Analysing the planning and permissions involved in conducting environmental operations around the world, you will explore the systems used to mitigate and control environmental pollution.
- Renewable energy and climate change law: Learn about how climate change is driving the shift toward renewables and the resulting legal issues in developing green energy infrastructure, as well as the extent to which renewable energy can form part of the energy mix.
Dissertation:
To fulfill the requirements of the master's degree, students then have the opportunity to complete a dissertation at the end of year two. This is a research project which can be tailored to a specific area of interest, or to your own work environment. The dissertation is equal to 60 credits of study.
Assessment:
To assess your understanding, you will be asked to complete a case study after each module plus three reflective reports throughout the programme. You will also be expected to submit a dissertation at the end.
Teaching:
The program is taught by leading academics and industry figures.
Careers:
The market for legal expertise in energy and environmental law is ripe with opportunity. According to the UN, a shift to a greener economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030. You may be a lawyer ready for your next challenge or a professional with growing regulatory responsibilities in the energy or environmental sector. Previous LLM graduates from the Birmingham Law School have gone on to become successful high court judges, prosecutors and law firm partners.
Other:
- The program is 100% online and can be completed from nearly anywhere in the world.
- The program is designed to harness the full power of the technologies available, involving everything from cloud-powered collaboration to interactive live lectures.
- The format is ideally suited to working professionals who are balancing their careers and personal commitments alongside their studies.
- Online LLM students have access to a cutting-edge digital platform throughout their studies.
- The University of Birmingham's online students engage with the curriculum directly using:
- Video lectures
- Interactive assignments
- Real-life case studies
- Peer interaction
- Digital resources You will be allocated a time for these sessions that fits best with your time zone. In each session, you will have the opportunity to present your work and/or discuss case study exercises.
- The program is designed with a practical approach and contemporary subject matter.
- Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately 60% of greenhouse gas emissions (UN 2019).
- Current commitments to reduce nationally determined contributions are inadequate to bridge the emissions gap by 2030 (UN Emissions Gap Report 2018).
- Birmingham Law School's Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) presents students with opportunities to increase their knowledge of law in action through pro bono, mooting and law-specific career events.
University of Birmingham Summary
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is a leading global university with a strong focus on research and innovation. It is committed to developing solutions for a thriving planet and improving the health of people around the world.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for students, with opportunities to settle in, make new friends, discover the city of Birmingham, and prepare for their studies. The university also has a vision for its campus development in the next 20 years, aiming to enhance and refine the global campuses.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Impact:
The university's research is focused on addressing major global issues, such as climate change and global health.Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
The university encourages collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems.Pioneering Breakthroughs:
The university is known for its pioneering research and breakthroughs in various fields.Academic Programs:
Other:
The university has five research challenge themes that guide its focus and draw on its vast expertise and resources. These themes showcase the university's pioneering breakthroughs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and significant global impact.
Entry Requirements:
- Home Students (UK): Applicants must possess (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree in law. Alternatively, they may apply if they have obtained an upper second-class degree in an allied field with demonstrable work experience in the sector.
- International Students (Outside the EU): Entry requirements vary depending on the country of origin.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- If English is not your first language: You must have an up-to-date English language test certificate. The University accepts Academic IELTS certificates with a grade of 6.5 and no less than 6.0 in any band. Other forms of English language certificates are accepted. You should discuss this with a recruitment coordinator.