Graduates of the LLM/ MSc in International Energy Law and Policy will be well placed to pursue careers in the legal firms, the environmental sector, government, regulatory authorities, international bodies, non-governmental organisations, business, pressure groups and charities. Expert staff within Law, Economics, Politics, and Environmental Science have come together to offer an innovative and distinctive multi-disciplinary degree which will provide graduates with developed understanding and knowledge of the key areas of environmental policy and governance.
Entrance requirements
Applicants require a good Honours degree or equivalent academic or professional qualification. Note that students must register for the LLM or MSc at beginning of the course; the content and learning outcomes of both degrees are, however, identical.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0, (with at least 5.5 in each skill) or minimum TOEFL scores of: Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17.
Funding
Funding and scholarships are available, please see link below for further information:
Modes of study
Full-time, over one year or 27 months part-time
Course start date
September
Structure and content
The course is multi-disciplinary and consists of eight taught modules which are delivered by staff in the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Management and Natural Sciences. A combination of four specialist modules is taken in both Semesters and students will also complete a 10,000-word dissertation over the period 1 June to the middle of August.
The objectives of the LLM in International Energy Law and Policy are:
- to provide graduates with knowledge, understanding and skills at Master's level appropriate to careers in law offices, government, international organisations, NGOs and business;
- to provide graduates with a broad and clear insight into relevant legal, political and economic issues related to energy law at national, regional and international levels;
- to provide graduates with an understanding of the dynamics of past, current and future energy law and policy-making and governance;
and
- to provide the academic foundation for progression to PhD level study.
Delivery and assessment
- All modules are delivered by small group learning and teaching which provides opportunity for interaction with staff and to develop communication skills through discussion and presentation of key issues.
- Students are encouraged and expected to undertake independent study and to read widely from a variety of sources. The necessity of independent study culminates in the dissertation written in the summer. This piece of work provides students with opportunity to produce independent research in their chosen area.
- Modules are assessed typically by a combination of coursework and examination with the weighting varying dependent on the nature of the material taught. An integrated assessment strategy is adopted.
- Students must pass all seven modules and achieve a pass grade in the dissertation to be awarded the Master of Law (LLM).
Module titles
- Energy Law and Policy
- Low Carbon Energy Law
- International Investment Law
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Energy Management Seminar Series
- Climate Change, Human Security and Resource Conflicts
- Research Methods
- Energy Policy and Markets
Research Dissertation Project: A research project conducted and reported to publishable standard in a 10,000-word dissertation. The project is supervised by a member of staff and represents a major part of the final LLM assessment.
Why study International Energy Law and Policy (LLM) at Stirling?
Course Director
Dr Raphael Heffron BA, MA, MLitt, MPhil, Barrister-at-Law, PhD
RAE rating
The Course Director has a world class expertise in energy law and policy, and has several books forthcoming in the area. Further, the University of Stirling also hosted a .
Strengths
You will work with the Dr. Raphael Heffron, an emerging leading expert on energy law and policy, and with a specific expertise on electricity markets.
Graduates of the LLM/ MSc in International Energy Law and Policy will be well placed to pursue careers in the legal firms, the environmental sector, government, regulatory authorities, international bodies, non-governmental organisations, business, pressure groups and charities. Expert staff within Law, Economics, Politics, and Environmental Science have come together to offer an innovative and distinctive multi-disciplinary degree which will provide graduates with developed understanding and knowledge of the key areas of environmental policy and governance.
Our staff
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.
I am excited by the prospect of leading this topical and innovative new course and I am confident that those who participate will find it to be stimulating, challenging and worthwhile direction to follow on the road to rewarding employment.
Dr Raphael J. Heffron, Course Director, LLM International Energy Law and Policy
Career opportunities
Energy law and policy has become one of the most topical issues within society at the moment. The battle against climate change represents the challenge of our generation. Law firms are increasingly opening their own specialised Energy Law divisions. Consequently there is a great demand for employees who have a specialised legal knowledge in energy law and policy. Graduates will significantly enhance their employability within this growing field. Employment destinations beyond the legal sector include posts in: corporate strategy and corporate management; public sector organisations, specialised legal practice (for those already qualified as legal practitioners), journalism, third sector (voluntary) organisations, and NGOs.
Skills you can develop through this course
- high-level writing skills
- time management skills
- knowledge, understanding and skills at Master's level appropriate to careers in law offices, government, international organisations, NGOs and business
- a broad and clear insight into relevant legal, political and economic issues related to energy law at national, regional and international levels
- an understanding of the dynamics of past, current and future energy law and policy-making and governance; and
- the academic foundation for progression to PhD level study
- all modules are delivered by small group learning and teaching which provides opportunity for interaction with staff and to develop communication skills through discussion and presentation of key issues
- students are encouraged and expected to undertake independent study and to read widely from a variety of sources. The necessity of independent study culminates in the dissertation written in the summer. This piece of work provides students with opportunity to produce independent research in their chosen area.
Chances to expand your horizons
On this course there are:
- Opportunities to complete an industry-led collaborative research dissertation
- Eight modules over two semesters and one dissertation on a specific topic in energy law and policy (12-month course)
- Visits to different electricity generation plants
- International lecturers
- Guest Lectures from leading energy law and policy experts
- International student population
- Interdisciplinary learning approach
Scholarships available: please contact us for further information
Where are our graduates now?
Energy law and policy has become one of the most topical issues within society at the moment. The battle against climate change represents the challenge of our generation. Law firms are increasingly opening their own specialised Energy Law divisions. Consequently there is a great demand for employees who have a specialised legal knowledge in energy law and policy. Graduates will significantly enhance their employability within this growing field. Employment destinations beyond the legal sector include posts in: corporate strategy and corporate management; public sector organisations, specialised legal practice (for those already qualified as legal practitioners), journalism, third sector (voluntary) organisations, and NGOs.
