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.

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 Services (looking at both drinking water and sanitation in the the public and private sectors and focusing on good governance).

The programme utilises the global reputation of the IHP-HELP Centre (a Category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO) within the University of Dundee.  The Dundee Centre is committed to the mission "water for all", and in its taught programmes aims to develop a new generation of local water leaders.

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, four option modules and a dissertation, within 12 months of full-time study.

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

The programme has both January and September starts.  The core induction module, delivered to all students in the Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management, runs at the start of each intake.

In the autumn semester (September – December) students will take National Water Law and two or three options.

In the spring semester (January-May), students will take Regulation of Water Services and two or three options. 

The third core module, International Water Law, runs in a block in early summer and is also offered as a short course with a wide intake of participants from around the globe. Other options are also offered in intensive block format at this time (April – June).

Students will complete a dissertation or internship.  Students starting in January may be able to undertake the internship during the summer months to enable them to complete within 12 months.

Methods of Teaching & Assessment

The Graduate School utilises a wide variety of teaching and assessment for on-campus modules. These include lectures, seminars, and workshops. Face to face teaching is supplemented by materials provided through the virtual learning environment. Assessments include examinations, individual research papers, presentations and role plays. Module handbooks supplement programme handbooks and provide detailed information on teaching schedules and reading as well as assessments. The Centre regularly welcomes guest lecturers from different disciplines to broaden the student experience and give them a more holistic perspective, regardless of the background of the individual student.

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 a good undergraduate degree in relevant discipline, for example, law, economics, political science, hydrology, engineering, geography, water resources.

English Language Requirement: IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component less than 6.0 (or equivalent), if your first language is not English. Please check our Language Requirements page for details of equivalent grades from other test providers, and information about the University of Dundee English Language courses.

Sources of Funding

Information about the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science scholarships can be found on the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science scholarships webpage.

Other sources of funding for postgraduate students can be found on our Scholarships webpage.

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