Postgraduate Taught

International Law (Global Sustainability and the Law)

Tree at dusk
A law student wearing a checked blazer sitting at a desk making notes
Offshore wind farm
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa
Legal books in a library
An external photo of the European Union headquarters in Brussels with three EU flags flying at the front
Study the complex and dynamic nature of the international legal system and its role in global sustainability with this Masters course.
Our LLM is particularly relevant for students with a background in law, politics, international relations or the social sciences, but applicants are welcomed from all academic disciplines and career paths.
You'll develop an understanding of the theory and practice of the application of legal solutions to environmental problems
Our diverse programme includes topics such as the environment and human rights, governance of natural resources, international law and policy-making.
You'll be taught by experts at the forefront of international law scholarship with considerable experience in environmental and human rights law.
Graduates of this course will open up a wide range of career options including as a professional lawyer, advocacy, human rights activist, diplomat and researcher.
Tree at dusk
A law student wearing a checked blazer sitting at a desk making notes
Offshore wind farm
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa
Legal books in a library
An external photo of the European Union headquarters in Brussels with three EU flags flying at the front

Want to explore a specialist area of international law, taught by world-class experts?

What can lawyers and policy makers do for the protection for a sustainable world? What do we mean by “environment”, including human rights and sustainability, and how can its protection affect our everyday lives? What steps would you take in advising a senior UN official on environmental policy reform, your local government, or a multinational oil and gas company?

Offering a comprehensive, comparative analysis of international, regional, and national sustainability frameworks, this course aims to give you the skills to be a substantive part of the sustainability-safeguarding narrative of our world.

  • Est. 1927

    Law has been taught at Hull since it was founded

  • We help to shape public policy

    with our research

  • Specialise

    in the study of global sustainability

  • Taught by research-active staff

    for the best learning experience

  • Align

    scientific considerations with law and policy

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Environmental governance professions require skills that were not necessary a few years ago. Global law firms and international organisations require lawyers and policy professionals to build capacity, understand corporate social responsibility, and the ability to negotiate and form partnerships.

This programme centres on the complexity of environmental decision-making when integrating scientific considerations with legal and policy outcomes. Alongside traditional legal skills, you will become familiar with environmental governance literacy and application, collaboration with stakeholders, and the application of the legal solution to environmental problems and sustainability.

It will address current and emerging demands, and cover topics such as climate change, renewable energy, the protection of living and non-living natural resources, human rights, and environmental migrants. Taught by academic experts in sustainability law, you will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the global legal regimes, as well the skills required for environmental governance.

You will also benefit from wider opportunities, such as our yearly careers convention, giving you access to leading law firms across the country and a chance to gain vital industry contacts.

Choose your modules

This course is currently under development and the full module structure will be available following full approval.

Public International Law

Explore the law governing the relations between States and other entities having international legal personality. Develop your knowledge and ability to critically evaluate the development of the international legal system, how international law is made and what it regulates, and how violations of the law are addressed.

Compulsory20 credits

Environmental Law in Context

Unlock your potential in environmental law and governance and gain a comprehensive understanding of the key principles, concepts, and institutional arrangements that shape environmental law in today's global context. Develop a practical grasp of capacity-building and environmental synergies. Empower yourself to navigate the complex landscape of environmental law and make a meaningful impact in the field.

Compulsory20 credits

Energy Law

If someone asks you to make a report on national energy policy, you will know what to do. Get ahead of the game in Energy Law by giving yourselves the tools to understand the key issues of energy related matters in the broader context of sustainability. The module is designed with a view to enhance the employability of candidates and to promote the transnational perspectives of energy regulation.

Binding targets in greenhouse gas emissions underpin the global Energy Legal Framework. Emissions trading systems for industry represent the cornerstone of Energy and Climate policies. The module will provide advance knowledge on global and national initiatives, such as Energy Sharing, Transport decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Nuclear Energy, Renewables, including biomass and biofuels and Energy Market design.

Compulsory20 credits

Environment and Human Rights

In the booming context of climate change litigation, political and legal affirmations of global environmental targets, passionate  environmental activists, and an earth that needs us as much as we need her, you will learn to analyse and apply in practice environmental and human rights law , while deciphering  the  issues that come within environmental related science, and how , they can be applied in a legal and policy framework.

Compulsory20 credits

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

What do polar bears, tigers, the Amazon, the Congo Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and the deep seabed have in common? Natural resources management poses challenges and opportunities at the global, national and regional levels, while reconciling environmental with economic and social considerations, becomes a balancing act.

The course offers a systemic approach to knowledge and understanding of natural resources regulation, and its relevance to related issues such as sustainability, human rights, and international commerce.

Compulsory20 credits

International Law Research Methods

The module will enable you to learn and deepen your research skills as to how to design research project proposals, explore research methods and approaches, data management and how to make ethical judgements. 

Compulsory20 credits

Dissertation

What fascinates you? You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up a project on a topic of your choice, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

Compulsory60 credits
7 Modules

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Law or a related subject.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Law or a related subject.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, plus extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world.

Allam Lecture Theatre

One of the largest lecture theatres on campus. Comfortable seating and modern equipment make this a fantastic environment for learning. It often hosts external speakers and special guests.

Mock Courtrooms

Learn the legal ropes in our mock courtrooms. Our mock criminal law courtroom includes a dock for ‘the accused’, witness box, jury area, public gallery and Judge’s chamber.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 workspaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs to informal group study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

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Brynmor Jones Library
Allam Lecture Theatre
Law Court
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
hubs-cropped

Future prospects

Our LLM in International Law (Global Sustainability and the Law) will prepare you for a career as a professional lawyer, public official, environmental affairs officer, legal analyst or consultant.

Students who complete the course have many avenues and opportunities open to them and often go on to either practice law, move into the field of research, use the course as a springboard into academia or join government and non-governmental institutions and organisations.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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