Overview

The LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. A full-time candidate may not, during the currency of the LLM (Environmental and Natural Resources Law), simultaneously pursue any other form of education, training or employment, without the advance permission of the School of Law.

Presentation of Dissertation/Submission Dates

The dissertation must be submitted for examination at the Winter Board, on a date in September to be specified by the School of Law at the commencement of the programme.

Exit Award

Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law)

Upon successful completion of modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award).

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Full-time: Students take 90 credits over one calendar year.

Part-time: Students take 90 credits over two calendar years, completing a total of 40 credits (including a minimum of 25 credits of core modules) in Year 1 and 50 credits in Year 2 (including LW6652and LW6659 and any core modules not already taken in Year 1).

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take 90 credits as follows – 60 credits of taught modules and 30 credits of research modules:
Research Modules
Core Modules
Students take 30 credits as follows:
LW6652	Legal Research Methods and Writing	5
LW6659	LLM Dissertation	25
Taught Modules
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
LW6581	Method in Environmental Law	5
LW6617	International Biodiversity and Ecosystems Law and Policy	5
LW6618	Climate Change Law and Policy	5
LW6627	International Environmental Law	5
LW6645	Marine Environmental and Natural Resources Law	10
LW6649	Environmental Law in Practice	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 20 credits from the following lists of elective modules - at least 10 credits must be chosen from List A and up to 10 credits may be chosen from List B: 1		20
List A
Students take modules to the value of at least 10 credits from the following:
GG6501	Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (5)
GG6502	Introduction to Remote Sensing (5)
LW6101	Introduction to Planning Law (5)
LW6200	Law of EU Foreign Policy (5)
LW6566	Contemporary Issues in International Law (5)
LW6606	International Human Rights Law (10)
LW6619	Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5)
LW6620	Introduction to the Law of the Sea (10)
LW6623	Global Maritime Security (5)
LW6624	Port Law (5)
LW6633	Public International Law (5)
LW6634	Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10)
LW6642	Environmental Law Clinic (10) 2
LW6643	Negotiation and Mediation (10)
LW6644	Managing Complex Disputes (10)
LW6651	International Law and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (5)
LW6655	Foundations of International Children's Rights (5) 3
LW6668	Business and Human Rights (5)
LW6671	Children's Rights and Climate Justice (5) 4
List B: Undergraduate Modules
Students may take modules to the maximum value of 10 credits from the following: 5
LW2211	Principles of Public International Law (5)
LW2216	Humanitarianism and the Law (5)
LW3371	Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law (5)
LW3372	Environmental Law: Contemporary Issues in Governance, Regulation and Enforcement (5)
Total Credits		90

¹

It may be that not all modules listed below will be offered each year and/or other options may become available.

²

LW6642 cannot be selected without the prior approval of the Programme Director.

³

This module must be taken together with LW6671.

⁴

This module must be taken together with LW6655.

⁵

Registration for these modules requires the permission of the Programme Director. Where appropriate, the Programme Director will identify, in consultation with the candidate, whether any undergraduate modules must be taken.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for LLM (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Irish, European and International Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
  
• Demonstrate an awareness of the particular relevance and significance of EU and International Law in this field;
  
• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials of relevance to Environmental and Natural Resources Law, including legislation, international instruments, case-law and academic commentary;
  
• Identify and explore interconnections between disparate legal topics in the area of Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
  
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems in Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
  
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to relevant legal issues;
  
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments in respect of Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
  
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies;
  
• Undertake scholarly research exploring legal themes;
  
• Conduct research on a legal topic in the area of Environmental and Natural Resources Law and write a masters-level dissertation on that topic;
  
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
  
• Develop an ability to identify and evaluate relevant social and socio-legal research in the area of Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
  
• Express complex legal and/or policy analysis in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.