Water Law

Snapshot

Overview

The LLM in Water Law at the University of Dundee is unique. Masters degrees in Environmental Law, or in Water Resources, are delivered in many institutions across the world and may include a module in Water Law, there are no other Masters of Laws such as this specialising in Water Law.

Added to this is the innovative executive-style delivery of the programme, where the core water modules are delivered in a summer school format. This is effective for part-time students, or those who wish to take only one or more of the water modules, on a short course basis.

The programme is focused on the core area of Water Law, and includes teaching to enable students to study law at Masters level. Students can choose options in other areas of natural resources law, or related disciplines such as economics. Students will obtain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the three linked areas: International Water Law (the law of transboundary water resources), National Water Law (including water rights and water quality and taking a comparative approach) and Regulation of Water and Sanitation Services (looking at both the public and private sector and focusing on good governance).

The programme utilises the global reputation of the UNESCO Centre within the University of Dundee - the Dundee UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science is committed to the mission "water for all", and in its innovative taught programmes aims to develop a new generation of local water leaders. Its unique summer school programme is aimed at water resources experts who wish to supplement their expertise with water law and leadership courses with an international network of water resources specialists as students and faculty.

The UNESCO Centre achieved a high research rating in the 2008 RAE as part of the submission from the University's Law Unit of Assessment. The Unit finished among the top four in Scotland (out of 11), and among the top 19 out of 67 in the UK. All of its research was classified as being of an international standard.

Aims of the LLM Programme

This programme aims to enable existing and potential water experts to work with legal and regulatory frameworks as a key mechanism to improve the management of water resources and the delivery of water services. By completing the programme, you will be able to demonstrate:

• an in depth knowledge and understanding of the structures, institutions and essential elements of international and national water law and the regulation of water services
• an ability to critically evaluate the role of law in water resource management and the provision of water services
• an ability to undertake independent research and to exercise autonomy and initiative
• an ability to communicate their knowledge, understanding and analysis clearly and coherently

Programme Content

LLM students are required to complete four core modules, two option modules and a dissertation, within 12-24 months of full-time study. For part-time students, the same requirements extend from 24-60 months of study, although it is expected that most part-time students will be able to complete their studies within 36 months.

Students taking the Postgraduate Diploma are required to complete the taught part of the LLM, that is, four core modules and two option modules, and students taking the Postgraduate Certificate take three of the four core modules only.

In the spring semester (January-May), full time students will take the Induction module, plus the two optional modules. During the summer school, they will take the three core water law modules:

• International Water Law
• National Water Law
• Regulation of Water Services

In the autumn semester (September-December), they will complete a dissertation (or internship, or work-based project).

Students studying part time take one or two taught modules during the spring and autumn semesters, and the summer school, and then complete their dissertation (or internship or work-based project) over a longer period.

Methods of Teaching & Assessment

Full time

It is expected that full time students will take on-campus taught modules. They may however complete their dissertation (or project, or internship) by distance learning.

The taught modules in this programme are taught in a seminar style mode, with students undertaking directed reading to prepare in advance for each seminar. The participation of students in the seminars is a crucial element of the learning and teaching process. Students will be expected to make presentations and engage in small group work for consideration of the material outlined in the reading lists for each seminar.

Part time

Part time students are expected to utilise the distance learning options, though students may attend on-campus courses if they wish. They must attend the campus for the summer school components.

For part time students, there will be a distance learning component to their study. This will be delivered in part through the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, which has considerable experience in distance learning teaching and where there is a dedicated support team for the delivery of these modules. You will have 24 hour access to the online materials and documentation via the University's Virtual Learning Environment - My Dundee. Printed supporting materials will also be provided along with a study guide.

Careers Opportunities

As available water resources become more scarce, the need for their improved allocation and use becomes more pressing. The management of resources and the provision of services both require effective legal structures.

For students with a background in law or a related discipline, this programme will give them the specialisation and research ability to be attractive to a wide variety of employers including government departments, regulators, water services providers, international organisations and NGOs as well as academia or industry.

For those already working in water resources, this qualification will give them the expert knowledge and skills in law to advance their career, perhaps within a government department, a regulator, water services providers or a basin agency.

Entry Requirements

Students will be expected to have an undergraduate degree in relevant discipline, for example, law, economics, political science, hydrology, engineering, geography, water resources.

If your first language is not English, then you need to demonstrate that you have a good command of the English language. Please check our Language Requirements page for full details, including University of Dundee English Language courses.

Contact

Course Contact	Admissions Contact
Dr Sarah Hendry UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science University of Dundee Nethergate Dundee DD1 4HN Scotland Telephone: 01382 386 473 (from the UK) Telephone: +44 1382 386 473 (from outside the UK) Email: s.m.hendry@dundee.ac.uk	Postgraduate Admissions Admissions and Student Recruitment University of Dundee Nethergate Dundee DD1 4HN Scotland Telephone: 01382 384 384 (from the UK) Telephone: +44 1382 384 384 (from outside the UK) Fax: 01382 385 500 (from the UK) Fax: +44 1382 385 500 (from outside the UK) Email: postgrad-admissions@dundee.ac.uk