Introduction
Our innovative Masters programme allows students the opportunity to develop the relevant skills and knowledge in managing natural energy resources for future generations. This programme will equip students with the knowledge, and skills, to develop sound governance regimes within areas that raise the most fundamental issues for humanity.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- LLM
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen has long held a reputation as a leader in teaching, and research, in the energy resources sector and this programme will give students a competitive advantage in highly relevant and rapidly developing sector. Our growing population has a major impact on the world’s natural resources. Indeed, this issue will only grow as the pressure to meet humanity’s developing demands. Hence, international and domestic law must address the legal implications of ownership, extraction distribution and management of natural resources. This unique programme focuses on the legal and regulatory issues associated with society’s use of and exploitation of the natural world.
Available Programmes of Study
Students will gain an in-depth understanding of extracting natural resources, ocean law, food law, and water law. Students must complete the Introduction to Natural Resources Law and Policy and Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship. Students must then choose an additional 4 courses, taking 2 in semester 1 and 2 in semester 3.
Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.
- LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen View
-
Programme Information
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Information for part-time students: This route will run over two years minimum. Candidates can take up to 120 credit points in an academic year. LS501T and PD5006 must be taken in Year 1, and LS5904 must be taken in Year 2. Candidates must take a remaining 120 credit points. At least 90 credit points must be obtained from the courses listed in the optional courses section of semesters 1 and 2. The remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit Law on-campus course.
Compulsory Courses
All students must complete:
- PD5006: Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS501T)
-
This compulsory course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which would be required to excel in LLM-Taught courses. It commences with a few lectures and progresses to working in a workshop environment and finally to the submission of an individual assignment. It also incorporates elements such as library workshops to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
View detailed information about this course - Introduction to Natural Resources Law and Policy (LS503K)
-
This course provides a series (8 hours) of lectures to new LLM Natural Resources Law students on the fundamental concepts relating to natural resources law and policy. The aim of the course is to ensure that all students are equipped with the necessary conceptual framework and knowledge to be able to undertake study of the various and diverse courses offered within the LLM in Natural Resources Law. It will also assure that all students commence the degree on an equal knowledge footing.
View detailed information about this course
Optional Courses
Students must choose 2 additional courses. At least 90 credits must be selected from the optional courses displayed in semesters 1 and 2; the remaining 30 credits may be obtained from any level 5 30-credit on-campus law course.
- International Energy and Environmental Law (LS501C)
-
30 Credit Points
The course deals with the regulation of international activities regarding energy and the environment. The course will consider the international legal framework regarding energy sources, and it will look at the various legal instruments at the global and regional level as well as the key actors that are involved in regulation. It will also examine environmental issues that correspond to the generation and use of energy in the international context and the responses relating to environmental protection of soil, water, air, atmosphere and species.
View detailed information about this course - State Control of Hydrocarbons (LS501E)
-
30 Credit Points
With only limited exceptions hydrocarbons lie in the ownership or control of states but are frequently explored for and produced by commercial actors. This course considers the means by which the state controls exploitation of its oil and gas reserves. Following a number of introductory online lectures, students will participate in interactive seminars considering topics such as: from energy security to energy trilemma; national oil companies; licensing and production sharing agreements; resource curse and transparency; health, safety and environmental regulation; and decommissioning. This course is available to students registering for the LLM Oil and Gas Law programmes (Dissertation or Professional Skills).
View detailed information about this course - Blue Economy: Regulation and Decisions (LS503Q)
-
30 Credit Points
The blue economy is the exploitation and preservation/ conservation of the marine environment. This course will explore what is meant by the Blue Economy in an international context and how it relates to the marine environment and natural resources. It will consider how the Blue Economy has been defined and what it might mean in the future. Discussions on the international, EU and national legal regimes will be supported by an ecological and a social deliberative strand. The course benefits from international guest lectures and culminates in a workshop where students will simulate blue economy decision making adopting an ecosystem approach to a real-life scenario, implementing legal requirements and policy context.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Optional Courses
Two optional courses should be selected from:
- LS553P: Oceans Law
At least 90 credits must be selected from the optional courses displayed in semesters 1 and 2; the remaining 30 credits may be obtained from any level 5 30-credit on-campus law course.
- Principles of Environmental and Natural Resources Regulation (LS553U)
-
30 Credit Points
The purpose of this course is to introduce the main principles of environmental law and natural resources regulation. The course analyses the challenges of environmental protection and from the perspective of international, European and national law; and outlines the main legal principles of natural resources development. Besides the conceptual analysis of the main principles of environmental law and methods of regulation, the course focuses on the delicate interaction between the principles of economic law (e.g. the right to property, the protection of investments, free trade) and environmental protection. Is there a conflict between economic law and environmental law or are these fields of law mutually reinforcing?
View detailed information about this course - International Arbitration: Energy & Natural Resources (LS552Z)
-
30 Credit Points
The complex interaction between investment protection and the sovereign right of states to regulate has been most acute in the energy sector. On the one hand, investors require strong guarantees that states will respect the “rules of the game” that constitute the basis of their investments. On the other, states can be tempted to interfere with foreign energy investments because of their particular strategic and social importance. This course aims to analyse if existing investment disciplines are adapted to the specific regulatory risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century.
View detailed information about this course - International Food Law (LS553Y)
-
30 Credit Points
This course explores the diversity of laws and policies that shape our food system. It considers crucial legal issues applicable to the access, production, processing, packaging, marketing, consumption and disposal of food such as food sovereignty, food security, right to food, intellectual property rights relating to food, food safety, food waste as well as the food -water -energy- land nexus. The course, delivered through seminars, encourages debates, critical thinking and formulation of opinions on the complex and often controversial issues covered. Seasoned guest speakers are invited to enrich the student’s knowledge and experience. Whilst the course focuses on the international and UK systems, relevant examples from other jurisdictions are employed.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
Students must undertake the dissertation involving research in a specific area of natural resources law of their choice.
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
-
60 Credit Points
Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.
View detailed information about this course
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £22,400 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year Home / RUK £11,500 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year - LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen View
-
Programme Information
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Information for part-time students: This route will run over three academic years. Candidates can take up to 60 credit points in Year 1 120 credit points in Year 2, and 60 credit points in Year 3. LS551T and PD5506 must be taken in Year 1, and LS5904 must be taken in Year 2. Candidates must take a remaining 120 credit points. At least 90 credit points must be obtained from the courses listed in the optional courses section of semesters 1 and 3. The remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit Law on-campus course.
Compulsory Courses
All students must complete:
- PD5506: Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)
-
This compulsory course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which would be required to excel in LLM-Taught courses. It commences with a few lectures and progresses to working in a workshop environment and finally to the submission of an individual assignment. It also incorporates elements such as library workshops to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
View detailed information about this course - Introduction to Natural Resources Law and Policy (LS553K)
-
This course provides a series (8 hours) of lectures to new LLM Natural Resources Law students on the fundamental concepts relating to natural resources law and policy. The aim of the course is to ensure that all students are equipped with the necessary conceptual framework and knowledge to be able to undertake study of the various and diverse courses offered within the LLM in Natural Resources Law. It will also assure that all students commence the degree on an equal knowledge footing.
View detailed information about this course
Optional Courses
Students must select two additional courses. At least 90 credits must be selected from the optional courses displayed in semesters 1 and 2; the remaining 30 credits may be obtained from any level 5 30-credit on-campus law course.
- LS553P: Oceans Law
- Principles of Environmental and Natural Resources Regulation (LS553U)
-
30 Credit Points
The purpose of this course is to introduce the main principles of environmental law and natural resources regulation. The course analyses the challenges of environmental protection and from the perspective of international, European and national law; and outlines the main legal principles of natural resources development. Besides the conceptual analysis of the main principles of environmental law and methods of regulation, the course focuses on the delicate interaction between the principles of economic law (e.g. the right to property, the protection of investments, free trade) and environmental protection. Is there a conflict between economic law and environmental law or are these fields of law mutually reinforcing?
View detailed information about this course - International Arbitration: Energy & Natural Resources (LS552Z)
-
30 Credit Points
The complex interaction between investment protection and the sovereign right of states to regulate has been most acute in the energy sector. On the one hand, investors require strong guarantees that states will respect the “rules of the game” that constitute the basis of their investments. On the other, states can be tempted to interfere with foreign energy investments because of their particular strategic and social importance. This course aims to analyse if existing investment disciplines are adapted to the specific regulatory risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century.
View detailed information about this course - International Food Law (LS553Y)
-
30 Credit Points
This course explores the diversity of laws and policies that shape our food system. It considers crucial legal issues applicable to the access, production, processing, packaging, marketing, consumption and disposal of food such as food sovereignty, food security, right to food, intellectual property rights relating to food, food safety, food waste as well as the food -water -energy- land nexus. The course, delivered through seminars, encourages debates, critical thinking and formulation of opinions on the complex and often controversial issues covered. Seasoned guest speakers are invited to enrich the student’s knowledge and experience. Whilst the course focuses on the international and UK systems, relevant examples from other jurisdictions are employed.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
Students must undertake the dissertation involving research in a specific area of natural resources law of their choice.
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
-
60 Credit Points
Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Optional Courses
Students must select two additional courses. At least 90 credits must be selected from the optional courses displayed in semesters 1 and 2; the remaining 30 credits may be obtained from any level 5 30-credit on-campus law course.
- International Energy and Environmental Law (LS501C)
-
30 Credit Points
The course deals with the regulation of international activities regarding energy and the environment. The course will consider the international legal framework regarding energy sources, and it will look at the various legal instruments at the global and regional level as well as the key actors that are involved in regulation. It will also examine environmental issues that correspond to the generation and use of energy in the international context and the responses relating to environmental protection of soil, water, air, atmosphere and species.
View detailed information about this course - State Control of Hydrocarbons (LS501E)
-
30 Credit Points
With only limited exceptions hydrocarbons lie in the ownership or control of states but are frequently explored for and produced by commercial actors. This course considers the means by which the state controls exploitation of its oil and gas reserves. Following a number of introductory online lectures, students will participate in interactive seminars considering topics such as: from energy security to energy trilemma; national oil companies; licensing and production sharing agreements; resource curse and transparency; health, safety and environmental regulation; and decommissioning. This course is available to students registering for the LLM Oil and Gas Law programmes (Dissertation or Professional Skills).
View detailed information about this course - Blue Economy: Regulation and Decisions (LS503Q)
-
30 Credit Points
The blue economy is the exploitation and preservation/ conservation of the marine environment. This course will explore what is meant by the Blue Economy in an international context and how it relates to the marine environment and natural resources. It will consider how the Blue Economy has been defined and what it might mean in the future. Discussions on the international, EU and national legal regimes will be supported by an ecological and a social deliberative strand. The course benefits from international guest lectures and culminates in a workshop where students will simulate blue economy decision making adopting an ecosystem approach to a real-life scenario, implementing legal requirements and policy context.
View detailed information about this course
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £22,400 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year Home / RUK £11,500 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year
Natural Resources Law
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Teaching is organised on a modular basis. There are two eleven-week semesters. Examinations are held at the end of each semester in December and May. The dissertation is submitted in August. The variety of assessments in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practical situations in order to become expert at being able to analyse and reason issues thoroughly. Moreover, students will gain transferrable skills including: enhanced ability to undertake advanced research in the field; an opportunity to undertake group work activities; ability to synthesise ideas and present work in oral and written assignments, plus students will undertake critical analysis.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Assessment is a combination of coursework during the semester and an examination at the end of the relevant semester. In addition, students must complete research skills course and a dissertation on a topic within the specialism. All full time students who begin in January commence work on the dissertation in May with a final submission date in the beginning of August.
Why Study Natural Resources Law?
- Law was one of the University of Aberdeen's foundation discipline in 1495. Today our School of Law is considered to be one of the UK’s elite training ground for lawyers.
- The School of Law is ranked Top 100 in the World for Law (Times Higher Education World University Subject Ranking 2022).
- You will achieve an internationally recognised and respected postgraduate degree in one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of law.
- Learn from top academics, responsible for shaping energy policy and providing thought leadership to governments on key pervasive and emerging issues.
- Gain transferable skills in research, presentations, group work and conflict resolution - all of which are highly sought after in today's competitive job market
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Normally, a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Law will be required to be accepted onto this programme. Relevant practical experience in a related field will also be beneficial.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
International Applicants
Fee Information
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.
Careers
As the Law has an impact on many parts of public life and, thus, is beneficial should you wish to enter politics, business, international finance or banking. More and more non-legal employers are valuing the eminently transferable skills law graduates can bring to industry and other international business organisations. These skills include but are not limited to:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Diplomacy
This programme would equip graduates interested in a career in the following industries and sectors: policy, planning, NGOs, civil service, energy and extraction.
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
Programme Coordinator Dr Daria Shapovalova, course academics Dr Titilayo Adebola Professor Zeray Yihdego
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB