NLUD-SOAS Joint LLM/MA in Environmental Justice in South Asia
London, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 12,354
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The LLM/MA Environmental Justice in South Asia is an innovative 1-year course located in the Global North and the Global South to explore critical environmental and climate change issues from the South-North perspective while also providing students with a rich learning opportunity to engage and learn directly from field exposure.
It provides a unique and transformative learning experience, which graduates of the course can bring to careers in research, policy studies, and international non-governmental and governmental organizations. The course incorporates a core taught component, a clinical component, and a dissertation.
Why study the LLM/MA in Environmental Justice in South Asia?
The program provides a unique specialization in one of the most rapidly developing areas of law with special reference to South Asia. It offers students an option to study environmental law and its application and relevance to a broad range of areas with special reference to South Asia. The program provides an opportunity for students to learn tools of research methodology unique to environmental law along with exposure to the field through a clinical component.
The course aims to build the student's potential for growth both personally and professionally and it provides a route to further study through a PhD. On course completion, students will be equipped with research skills, and exposure to the global South and North, while obtaining the necessary skills for career progression.
Why SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked in the UK top 20 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. NLUD
- National Law University Delhi is ranked 2nd in the Law Category, in the 2023 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings.
- Established in 2008, NLUD has become one of the leading institutions of legal education and impact-driven research in India.
- It is accredited with a CGPA of 3.10 on a four-point scale at an โAโ grade valid up to April 2028, awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Why NLUD?
- National Law University Delhi is ranked 2nd in the Law Category, in the 2023 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings.
- Established in 2008, NLUD has become one of the leading institutions of legal education and impact-driven research in India.
- It is accredited with a CGPA of 3.10 on a point scale at an โAโ grade valid up to April 2028, awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Teaching and Learning
The language of instruction of the program will be English.
Contact Hours
The Masters in Environmental Justice in South Asia consists of 180 SOAS credits/120 NLUD credits, made up of taught modules of 15/10 credits taught over one term, and a dissertation of 60/40 credits.
The program structure shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional electives.
At SOAS, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations, and so on.
At NLUD 1 credit equals approximately 15 hours of classroom teaching. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars, and other classes.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We have a wide range of scholarships and awards to support students in our degree programs (this excludes any distance learning programs).
There is a competitive application process for these scholarships and awards โ based on academic merit. Their focus can range from supporting students from specific countries or a group of countries to particular degrees or areas of research. We also offer a number of bursaries based on financial need at the undergraduate level.
Curriculum
To be awarded the LLM/MA, students must take modules to a total value of 180 SOAS credits / 120 NLUD credits. This will include a mix of compulsory courses, elective courses, and a dissertation. Please note that not all modules listed will be available every year.
The information on the website reflects the intended program structure against the given academic session. The content and availability of optional modules may be subject to change. SOAS (September to January) Students take the following three compulsory modules delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):
SOAS (September to January)
Students take the following three compulsory modules delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):
Module
- Foundations of Environmental Justice with reference to South Asia (15 Credits)
- International environmental law and policy with reference to South Asia (15 Credits)
- Research Methods (15 Credits)
One of the guided optional modules below was delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):
- Water Justice: Rights, Access, and Movements (15 Credits)
- Civil society, social movements, and the development process (15 Credits)
- Biodiversity, Nature and Wildlife Law and Policy (15 Credits)
NLUD (February to June)
Students take the following four compulsory modules delivered by NLUD (10 NLUD credits is equivalent to 15 SOAS credits):
- Environmental Law and Policy in India (15 Credits)
- Natural Resources Law and Policy in South Asia (15 Credits)
- Quantitative Research Methods & Environmental Justice Clinic (15 Credits)
- Climate Justice and Climate Law: South-North Perspectives (15 Credits)
Dissertation
Dissertation (12,000 words), on a topic related to environmental justice. The module can be undertaken at SOAS or NLUD or remotely (60 SOAS credits is equivalent to 40 NLUD credits):
- LLM Dissertation in Environmental Justice (60 Credits)
- MA Dissertation in Environmental Justice (60 Credits)
Program Outcome
Knowledge and Understanding
During this course, students will:
- Acquire specialist knowledge of environmental law related in particular to South Asia
- Learn about the context in which environmental law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended in a North-South perspective and focused on South Asia
- Learn about the role and function of legal institutions in managing the environment and natural resources in South Asia
- Develop knowledge of the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies and how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance
Learning Outcomes
During this course, students will:
- Develop rigor in the analysis and assessment of legal arguments
- Develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates
- Be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner
- Learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work
- Be able to apply the research methodology tools and skillsets in their dissertation and for future research work
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will leave with a solid grounding in environmental law and justice as civic-minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to making their communities and societies more sustainable.
They will have a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying the environment and will be valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and a regional South Asian and global perspective.
Program Leaders
Program Admission Requirements
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