Introduction
Study energy and environmental law to an advanced level at the University of Aberdeen. Our Law School is ranked 9th in the UK for Law by the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
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
- January or September
This LLM degree programme seeks to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to consult in energy transition law and policy matters. Our staff have expertise and specialisms in environmental and climate change law, as well as in energy law relating both to the fossil fuels sector and renewable energy.
Law has a central role to play in enabling the shift to low carbon energy whilst maintaining energy security and the transition to environmentally sustainable economic development. The law in these areas undergoes frequent and extensive change as experience grows and we respond to the difficulties we are currently encountering.
Studying alongside legal experts in these areas, you will be immersed in the grounding concepts of energy transition law. With a unique choice of topical energy and environmental courses including ‘Renewable Energy Law’ to ‘Downstream Energy Law’, you will benefit from an advanced understanding and sharpened critical analysis across many key areas.
The programme will be of great interest to those who wish to equip themselves with the knowledge required to meet the challenges of the existing sectors of energy and environment, and the wish to play a pivotal role in the adaptation of current corporate policies during a time of great change. It may also appeal to practitioners who wish to acquire or update their legal knowledge in these fast moving areas.
Available Programmes of Study
Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.
Duration: 12 months full-time. 24 months part time.
- LLM
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Energy Transition Law with Dissertation
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthLLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January MoreSemester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)
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This course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which will be required for LLM-Taught courses. The course is delivered as a series of five interactive lectures with two individual assessments designed to encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for early feedback. It also incorporates a library workshop to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
Four optional courses must be selected. Two should be selected from semester 1 and two from semester 3.
- Downstream Energy Law (LS5594)
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30 Credit Points
The transport and supply of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) and electricity is essential for modern civilisation. If energy cannot get to the consumer, then energy security is threatened and economic development may be restricted.
These challenges are important in the context of the liberalisation of these sectors, especially the restructuring of these industries from monopolies to competitive markets. This course explores the law and policy framework governing the movement and distribution of energy, particularly within a liberalised market, in an era of climate change. Topics covered include market liberalisation, energy security, gas sales and transport, and market regulation.
- Regulation of Carbon Management (LS553Z)
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30 Credit Points
Climate change is the biggest environmental challenge of our time and addressing it requires a range of regulatory tools and strategies for mitigating emissions. These include placing limits on greenhouse gas emissions at the international, national, and regional levels; designing and implementing emission trading markets; facilitating the implementation of carbon capture, utilisation & storage and more. This course examines legal framework governing carbon management at the international and national levels, critically analysing the role of law in mitigating the climate crisis.
- Principles of Environmental Regulation (LS551A)
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30 Credit Points
The purpose of this course is to introduce the main principles of environmental law. The course analyses the challenges of environmental protection from the perspective of international, European and national law. 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?
- International Investment Law and Energy Arbitration (LS555L)
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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 strategic and social importance. This course aims to analyse if existing investment disciplines and international investment protection framework, are adapted to the specific regulatory risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century and how best to avoid disputes and manage them.
Semester 2
The compulsory dissertation provides the opportunity to research and explore in more detail a specific legal area of your choice.
Compulsory Courses
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
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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.
Semester 3
Optional Courses
Four optional courses must be selected. Two should be selected from semester 1 and two from semester 3.
- International Energy and Environmental Law (LS501C)
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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.
- Low Carbon Energy Transition: Renewable Energy Law (LS501H)
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30 Credit Points
A transition from reliance on fossil fuels to low-carbon renewable energy is essential for mitigating climate change and for making energy supplies more sustainable. The course considers the challenges and concerns that this fundamental change in the nature of energy supplies gives rise to, and explores laws role in addressing them. The course examines the legal regimes for promoting renewable energy at international, EU and UK levels, and considers how law can be used to address significant constraints on the growth of renewable energy including difficulties with grid access and public opposition to wind energy development.
- Oil and Mining Resources for Good and Development (LS504J)
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30 Credit Points
The course examines the relationship between development management and utilisation of energy and natural resources, law, ethics, governance, and development at the national and international levels on the one hand and poor/variable developmental outcomes, particularly the resource curse phenomenon, on the other hand. The course then proceeds to apply advanced academic and experiential knowledge to formulate the fundamentals for overarching legal frameworks that will enable the good exploitation and development of energy and natural resources, thereby producing enduring benefits for all key stakeholders. The course is multidisciplinary in approach and with some experiential engagement with industry, governments/regulators, and non-governmental perspectives.
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,800 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Home / RUK £11,900 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September More
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.
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.
Funding Opportunities
The CB Davidson Fund provides limited financial support for postgraduate students within the Law School. It offers financial support to graduates in law from outside the UK to study in Aberdeen and to students and graduates of the University of Aberdeen who wish to travel outside of the UK for research purposes. Awards will not exceed £2,500 and in most instances will be less.
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.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
By course work, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The degree of LLM shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CGS grade of D3 or above in the specified dissertation course, irrespective of their performance in other courses: such candidates may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.
Why Study Energy Transition Law with Dissertation?
- This highly regarded Master’s programme deals with two of the most serious challenges which confront the world today: maintaining the availability of secure and affordable energy whilst addressing the global environmental deterioration and climate change that threatens humanity’s well-being. Law has a central role to play in addressing both challenges.
- The School of Law is ranked Top 10 in the UK by the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
- Designed by experts in their field, the programme provides the ideal opportunity for professional development in a specialist area of law.
- Add a sought after and attractive specialisation to your qualifications.
- Acquire detailed and cutting edge knowledge about the current position with energy transition law, and an understanding of how this is likely to change.
- Explore and gain greater knowledge of the interconnections between energy and environmental law at international, European and national level.
- Researchers at Aberdeen are at the forefront of environmental innovations which have changed environmental protection in other industries globally.
- There are over 40 nationalities within the School of Law postgraduate community, therefore you will benefit from a programme with a truly international outlook.
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 in Law (or another related discipline) or equivalent.
Relevant practical experience will also be beneficial.
Document requirements application:
- All subjects you studied and marks you achieved in your degree(s).
- A detailed personal statement explaining your reasons for choosing this programme.
- CV/Resume optional.
- Reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability.
Foreign-language students need a minimum of IELTS at 6.5 overall with 6.0 or above in writing and in reading and 5.5 or above in listening and in speaking.
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 - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; 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
Careers
You will gain knowledge to practice energy and environmental law as a consultant or you can consider joining energy and environmental companies to assist them to meet their regulator requirements for submission of permits from various governments around the world.
(Please note, this is not a qualifying law degree).
Our Experts
This programme is delivered by experts from our Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL)
- Programme Coordinator
- Daria Shapovalova, The University of Aberdeen
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.
Facilities
TAYLOR LIBRARY
The School of Law has its own dedicated law library, Taylor Library, which is located within the Law School building, offering access to the Law collection, Official Publications and the European Documentation Centre.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
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School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB