Environmental Policy and Governance (LLM) (MSc)

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 View the entry requirements for your country. 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. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band. 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 Dr Linda Mensah Key staff Dr Geoffrey Wood Dr Gulay Firatli

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 £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 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. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling 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 (source: Glassdoor 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