The future of the legal job market
Professor Tania Sourdin addresses misconceptions about job outcomes for students and the impact the changing nature of technology has on the legal industry.
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle City
Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent up to 4 years maximum.1 year full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesSemester 1 (21 Feb 2022), Semester 2 (18 Jul 2022), Trimester 1 (24 Jan 2022), Trimester 2 (9 May 2022), Trimester 3 (22 Aug 2022), Summer 2 (10 Jan 2022), Winter (13 Jun 2022),
Trimester 1 (24 Jan 2022),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 35,335 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
English proficiencyIELTS overall minimum - 7.0, IELTS section minimum - 6.5 Find out more about IELTS.
Program Code40141
Study Environmental Law
The Master of Environmental Law at the University of Newcastle is designed to equip legal and non-legal professionals with a deeper knowledge of Environmental Law, through a unique, professionally-focused and interdisciplinary program.
Why study with us?
- Learn from experts from a range of disciplines – learn from distinguished and experienced academics from Australia and overseas in the areas of Law, Environmental and Life Sciences, Business and Architecture and Built Environment.
- United Nations Certification – we are the only legal postgraduate program in Australia that offers you the opportunity to obtain certification by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and/or the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). To obtain co-certification, students must complete specific courses on Government Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development and the UN 2030 Development Agenda.
- Flexible study options – at the University of Newcastle, you can choose to study full-time or part-time to suit your professional and personal needs. Our advanced online learning system gives you the flexibility and support to study anytime.
- Study at NUspace – NUspace, located in Newcastle’s CBD, provides the optimum environment for you to excel in your studies.
- Study overseas – broaden your cross-cultural legal knowledge through international study experiences and international legal internships.
Belinda's Story: Making an impact through postgrad studies
World top 300
?
for law
What you will study
The Master of Environmental Law comprises of 8 courses (80 units) which includes 3 core courses (30 units) and 5 directed courses (50 units). Students may choose courses that they are interested in from a range of areas including:
- Environmental Law
- Law and Economics of Climate Change
- International Environmental Law and Policy
- Sustainable Development and the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Clinic
- Property Law and Planning Legislation
- Human Rights and Climate Change-Induced Human Displacement
- Disaster Management Policy/Social Considerations
- Government and Disaster Risk Reduction
- Sustainability and Ecosystem Health
- Applied Natural Resources Management
- Contemporary Issues in Water Management
- Business & the Natural Environment
- Social Enterprises and Co-operative Innovation
- Mining Law
- Co-operative Law and Governance
Program plans
Download a program plan for further details on your degree's structure and what courses you will study.
These program plans are applicable to new students. Current students should refer to the program handbook to access the plan relevant to the year they commenced.
- M Environmental Law 2020-2021 146.8 KB
Career
Career opportunities
Upon completion of the Master of Environmental Law you will be able to use your specialised knowledge to advance your career and work in various areas including:
- environmental and resources sectors
- public policy
- government sector
- non-government sector
- private sector, e.g. sustainability consulting
- legal practice or advice (for legal professionals only)
- in-house counsel (for legal professionals only)
A Master of Environmental Law does not qualify you to be admitted to practice law in Australia. If you wish to practice law in Australia, our Juris Doctor (JD) and the embedded Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is designed to equip you with knowledge, clinical experience and the qualifications for admission to legal practice in Australia. JD graduates can apply for entry into the legal profession as solicitors without any further study.
Professional Recognition
Our Master of Environmental Law is the only postgraduate legal program in Australia that offers you the opportunity to obtain certification by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and/or the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
To obtain co-certification, students must complete specific courses on Government Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development and the UN 2030 Development Agenda. Please contact the Program Convenor for further information on this opportunity.
Practical Experience
International Study Experience or Legal Externship
Eligible students will have the opportunity to broaden their cross-cultural legal knowledge through participation in organised out-of-country activity, including international study experiences and international legal externships.
For further information regarding the Newcastle International Study Experience and the Newcastle International Clinical Legal Externship please contact the Program Convenor.
Study with us
Hear from our students
Listen to our students talk about their degree and life at the University of Newcastle.
How to apply
Applying for Master of Environmental Law
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle City
Before you get started
To ensure that the process goes smoothly for you, you should complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the program that you wish to apply for. Note the admission criteria, admission instructions, requirements & structure and any additional information listed.
- Review the program fees and costs.
- Check whether your postgraduate program has a Semester or a Trimester closing date. Please view the application closing date.
- If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you need to satisfy the University's English language requirements and ensure that you can provide evidence of your English proficiency if required.
You will be considered for entry based on criteria such as your undergraduate studies and/or equivalent prior learning and/or relevant work experience.
Other things to consider
Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:
Entry into the Master of Environmental Law Program (80 units) will be available to applications who have:
- an AQF Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in a related field such as law, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, architecture, engineering and surveying, or human and physical geography; or
- an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a related field such as law, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, architecture, engineering and surveying, or human and physical geography; or
- an AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree in a related field of law, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, architecture, engineering and surveying, or human and physical geography; or
- an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree in not in a related field and have at least two years' relevant work experience; or
- at least seven years relevant work experiences, of which two years should have been in a management position in law, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, architecture, engineering and surveying, or human and physical geograph, for instance as: a project manager within an environmental discipline; a professional with experience in mentoring, training or supervising the quality of professional work; or as a manager or consultant working in a field related to the environment.
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
Applicants for this program must satisfy a minimum English Language Proficiency Standard equivalent to an IELTS overall minimum of 7.0 with no subtest result below 6.5.
You can look at Uni prep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
Ok, great, let's go!
Applications to study are now open. Submit your application now.
Apply to study in Australia
Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.
Alternatively you may complete a paper-based application.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.