Introduction
Study this specialised programme in Aberdeen – Europe’s largest energy hub and a Top 100 Law School (Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2022). Designed with inbuilt professional qualifications, you’ll develop a set of highly in-demand skills and the expertise to gain a true competitive advantage in the industry.
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
The LLM Energy Law with Professional Skills offers a practical, highly regarded qualification that includes hands-on learning and job-focused training in lieu of a dissertation. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills required to play a key role in the coming decades as the world seeks to meet growing energy demand and the consequent need for unprecedented levels of investment. You’ll also benefit from structured course content designed to support the development of broader personal and professional competencies. Opportunities to develop concrete, industry-sought skills are incorporated into the degree course and acquired alongside and during the study of Energy Law. For example, intensive case-study based exercises in the fields of project finance and project management add relevance and prominence to your CV, whilst the ability to demonstrate a range of professional skills will further enhance your employability prospects. Our graduates are well-placed to operate in a complex, globalised working environment and are able to progress quickly to leadership roles. The programme's hallmarks include strategically using professionals as adjunct faculty, as well as on-the-ground industry contacts.
Available Programmes of Study
- LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January View
-
Programme Information
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
For January start students, the first semester covers courses with the prefix LS55 and there is the compulsory course LS551T Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship. All students must take two LS50xx courses and two LS55xx courses.
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 LS5907 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 sections of semesters 1 and 3. The remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit Law on-campus course.
Compulsory Courses
- 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
Optional Courses
Four optional courses must be selected. Two should be selected from semester 1 and two from semester 3. Alternatively, one of your four choices could be selected from another LLM programme (excluding LS501E, and LS551K).
- 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 - Contracting in Hydrocarbon Operations (LS551K)
-
30 Credit Points
A good knowledge and understanding of the commercial purpose and key features of the principal contracts used in the oil and gas industry is essential for an oil and gas lawyer. This course will examine the contracts entered into between the state and the commercial actors involved in the exploration for and production of oil an gas and the contracts entered into between the oil companies themselves, and those between oil and gas companies and the contractors making up the supply chain. The course will be taught by means of a mix of lectures, seminars and interactive workshops.
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 - Downstream Energy Law (LS5594)
-
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.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Students will need to take the Professional Skills module during the summer.
Compulsory Courses
- Energy Law Professional Skills (LS5907)
-
60 Credit Points
This course allows students the opportunity to deploy the knowledge they have gained in the taught courses on the LLM Energy Law with Professional Skills programme in intensive exercises designed to develop their professional skills. It aims to provide students with an insight into specific processes which form the practical context for the legal and regulatory knowledge and skills gained during the taught courses. It also informs them about how the regulatory context affects the planning of projects and the conduct of processes leading to their authorisation and implementation.
View detailed information about this course
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
In September, January start students will take courses starting with LS50.
Optional Courses
- Low Carbon Energy Transition: Renewable Energy Law (LS501H)
-
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.
View detailed information about this 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
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £25,100 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year Home / RUK £12,800 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year - LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September View
-
Programme Information
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
The information listed below is for September start students. All students must take two LS50xx courses and two LS55xx courses.
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 LS5907 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 sections 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 candidates must take:
- 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
Optional Courses
Four optional courses must be selected. Two should be selected from semester 1 and two from semester 2. Alternatively, one of your four choices could be selected from another LLM programme (excluding LS501E, and LS551K).
- Low Carbon Energy Transition: Renewable Energy Law (LS501H)
-
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.
View detailed information about this 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
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Optional Courses
- Downstream Energy Law (LS5594)
-
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.
View detailed information about this course - Contracting in Hydrocarbon Operations (LS551K)
-
30 Credit Points
A good knowledge and understanding of the commercial purpose and key features of the principal contracts used in the oil and gas industry is essential for an oil and gas lawyer. This course will examine the contracts entered into between the state and the commercial actors involved in the exploration for and production of oil an gas and the contracts entered into between the oil companies themselves, and those between oil and gas companies and the contractors making up the supply chain. The course will be taught by means of a mix of lectures, seminars and interactive workshops.
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 - 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
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Energy Law Professional Skills (LS5907)
-
60 Credit Points
This course allows students the opportunity to deploy the knowledge they have gained in the taught courses on the LLM Energy Law with Professional Skills programme in intensive exercises designed to develop their professional skills. It aims to provide students with an insight into specific processes which form the practical context for the legal and regulatory knowledge and skills gained during the taught courses. It also informs them about how the regulatory context affects the planning of projects and the conduct of processes leading to their authorisation and implementation.
View detailed information about this course
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £25,100 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year Home / RUK £12,800 Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year
Energy Law with Professional Skills
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 12-week semesters, the first beginning in the second week of September, the second at the end of January.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- 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 Law with Professional Skills?
- Our Law School is part of LLM Guide's Top 10 Programmes for Energy Law List 2021.
- The School of Law is ranked 2nd in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2021).
- A top quality learning and development experience.
- Achieve an internationally recognised and respected postgraduate degree in one of the most dynamic areas of Law.
- The advanced education attained on this programme translates into marketable skills, particularly valuable in today's highly competitive job market.
- Learn from the best and engage with top academics shaping policy.
- There is a growing demand for Energy Lawyers globally.
- Our Academics provide thought leadership to industry and government on key pervasive and emerging issues. So you can be confident that you're investing in a learning experience that is shaped by staff at the forefront of the latest expert thinking.
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 - 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
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 SFC Postgraduate tuition fee scholarship may be available for those classified as Home/EU fee status students for this programme. Visit the scholarship page for more information.
The James Carnegie maintenance scholarship for postgraduate students is available with this degree.
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
You can become qualified 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.
Career Opportunities
- Environmental Lawyer
- Lawyer
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
This programme is delivered by experts from our Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL)
- Programme Coordinator
- Daria Shapovalova
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
-
School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB