Environmental regulation is an area of growing social and commercial significance in terms of policy and resource issues, and all aspects of environmental law are increasing in their importance and sophistication. Environmental regulation, encompassing a broad range of fields including climate change regulation, land use control and biodiversity conservation is now a central part of business regulation, while at the same time striving to accommodate ecological conservation and demands for environmental justice. This programme gives you the opportunity for in-depth study of environmental law within its policy context, exploring law at national, EU and global levels and comparing legal regimes.

Students of environmental law at Kent also benefit from the active engagement of external contributors who help bridge the gap between study and practice. The degree programme equips students with a broad expertise which will benefit them in careers in government departments and agencies, international organisations, nongovernmental organisations, private practice, policy-making or in an advisory capacity. The degree also provides an excellent foundation for further research.

The programme is for both graduates with a first degree in law and students with other relevant academic and professional backgrounds.

The Master's degrees offered within the Law School are taught by seminar and dissertation.

You take three modules in each of the first two terms. These are normally assessed by a single essay of 4-5,000 words for each module, but some modules make special arrangements for assessment, for example, by requiring two essays of 2-2,500 words, or by awarding up to 20% of the marks according to the quality of student participation.

In the third term and during the summer period, you write a 15-20,000 word dissertation, under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This should be on a specific topic within the field of the degree.

For all of the Law taught Master's degrees, there is the alternative of studying for a postgraduate diploma. Students registered for the diploma take the same modules as a Master's student, but do not write a dissertation.

Course content

• At least three environmental law modules which currently include: Climate Change and Renewable Energy Law; Conservation and Natural Resources Law; Environmental Quality Law; European Community Environmental Law and Policy; International Environmental Law – Legal Foundations; International Environmental Law – Substantive Legal Aspects; International Trade Law and the Environment; Land Development Law; Legal Foundations of Environmental Decision-Making
• Up to three modules drawn from others offered by the Kent Law School, or the MSc in Environmental Social Science
• Dissertation of 15-20,000 words

Assessment

Assessment is by a 4-5,000-word essay for each module, or equivalent coursework, and the dissertation for the Master's award.

T: +44 (0)1227 827272
E: information@kent.ac.uk

Postgraduate Office, Kent Law School, Eliot College,
University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NS, UK
T: +44 (0)1227 824595
F: +44 (0)1227 827442
E: klspgoffice@kent.ac.uk

Before applying, please read our ‘How to apply’ section.

You can then go straight to the online application form by clicking the programme below:

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