Overview
The need for Environmental Law and Climate Justice legal experts has never been greater. This is due to the increasing urgency surrounding the issue of climate change. As natural disasters become more frequent, and environmental degradation accelerates, the role of law, especially climate change law, has become a critical part of the solution (World Lawyers Forum).
Our LLM in Environmental Law and Climate Justice focuses on sustainable development and climate change. It’s suitable for both law and non-law graduates. You’ll develop the skills and insight needed to navigate complex environmental issues and contribute to a more just and sustainable future.
The course gives you a comprehensive analysis of environmental law. It integrates concepts of sustainability, justice, and human rights. You’ll gain knowledge of the relevant environmental and climate justice issues that are highly sought after in careers across policy, advocacy, international organisations, and beyond.
Explore environmental law and climate justice with a broader approach
On our Masters degree, you won’t just focus on legal frameworks, you’ll have the chance to deepen your understanding through a range of interdisciplinary modules from across the University. You might study Environmental Economics or Environmental Impact Assessment with experts in environmental science or take modules in politics and international relations that connect global governance with international law.
Throughout the course, you'll build core and specialist research skills. There’s opportunities to apply them in real-world case studies and academic contexts.
A global perspective on environmental law
Stirling’s Masters in Environmental Law and Climate Justice is uniquely designed to explore the international and comparative dimensions of environmental law with a specific focus on climate justice.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a deep understanding of environmental law as a tool for justice as well as regulation.
Engage with environmental law and climate justice experts
You’ll have the opportunity take part in relevant events such as conferences, seminars or workshops. Previous conferences attended by students include:
- Connecting with a Low-Carbon Future
- Renewables After Brexit
You’ll engage with experts through guest lectures and talks. In the last couple of years, students have heard from:
- Dr Annalisa Savaresi, a leading figure in environmental law. Dr Savaresi has contributed to discussions on climate change law and renewable energy governance.
- Dr Yixian Sun from the University of Bath. Dr Sun delivered talks based on his research and work with the UN-supported campaign, Race to Zero, including its events at COP29.
Comprehensive employability and skills programme
Our employability and skills programme to helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Modules
Teaching
All modules are delivered through small group learning and teaching, which provides an opportunity for interaction between students and staff. This supports the development of communication skills through the discussion and presentation of key issues.
Students are taught via a mix of lectures and seminars depending on the preference of the instructor. Most classes are via small group seminars with a mix of home and international students. Guest lectures are often arranged for some modules.
The academics involved in teaching the degree are renowned for international and world-leading research in their subject areas. Their work is well represented in national and international journals, at academic conferences around the world and in the media.
Leading environmental law and policy specialists and other international experts will also provide guest lectures.
You’re expected to carry out independent study and read widely from a variety of sources. Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to produce independent research in your chosen area (with the guidance of your supervisor) and showcase your acquired knowledge and skills.
Hybrid learning
The course is delivered via both face-to-face and virtual learning platforms.
Students will learn via the use of the University Canvas user interface, which encourages a flipped classroom approach of providing materials or links to them in advance to maximise discussion in class. Information on skills to be acquired is given above. Students will take both core and elective modules. Core modules are Training for Masters in the Arts and Humanities (research methods), International Law and Sustainable Development, and Environmental Law. Most students choose to study full time but it is also possible to study part time.
Fieldwork
Attendance at academic and/or practitioner conferences is encouraged. LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice candidates will be signposted to such events throughout the course.
Examples of previous conferences that students have attended are:
- Connecting with a low-carbon future
- Renewables after Brexit
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, with the weighting varying dependent on the nature of the material taught.
Course director
Professor Annalisa Savaresi, Course Director
Key staff
Dr Geoffrey Wood
geoffrey.wood1@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1786 467287
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
The LLM in Environmental Law and Climate Justice can open doors to diverse careers in both public and private sectors, including:
- Regional and national government agencies
- NGOs
- International legal and political institutions
- Law firms
- Consultancies
- Academic institutions
There’s a variety of roles graduates can go into such as:
- Environmental Lawyer
- Sustainability Consultant
- Policy Advisor
- Researcher
- Environmental Advocate
- Sustainability Officer
- International Relations
Salaries for environmental lawyers in the UK can range from £39,000 to £78,000 annually, depending on experience, sector, and the specific role (Glassdoor, May 2025).
These are some of the roles that our graduates hold:
- Climate Change Specialist
- Local Project Officer – Sustainable Energy Access
- Global Research Fellow
Organisations that graduates have gone to work for include:
- Institute for Essential Services Reform
- United Nations Systems Staff College
- Global Institute of Law
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