Master of Environmental Law

What you will study

For the award of the Master of Environmental Law, students must complete 48 credit points, comprising one of the following:

• For students without a law background, 12 credit points are required for core units of study and 36 credit points are required for elective units of study.
• For students with a law background who have not completed any tertiary study in environmental law, six credit points for core units of study and 42 credit points for elective units of study.
• For students with an environmental law background, 48 credit points of elective units of study.

Core Units

• Environmental Law and Policy
• Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System

Electives

• Environmental Dispute Resolution
• Law of the Sea
• International Environmental Law
• Pollution, Corporate Liability and Govern
• Judicial Review-P'ciple, Pol and Procedure
• Asia Pacific Environmental Law
• Energy and Climate Law
• Biodiversity Law and Heritage Law
• Water Law and Climate Change
• Public Policy
• Coastal and Marine Law
• Climate Justice and Disaster Law
• Law Tropical Forests and Carbon
• Gender Inequality and Development
• Environmental Markets

Contact the university or visit their website for the complete list of electives for this course.

Entry Requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Environmental Law requires one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree with a credit average (65 per cent) from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification.
• A bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; and the applicant provides evidence of two years of relevant professional experience.

English Language Requirements

You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.

If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:

• Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum ten years).
• Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the university in an approved English-speaking country.

If English is not your first language, you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.

• IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band.
• TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band.

The university may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Contact them for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Master of Environmental Law, graduates will:

• Evaluate and apply deep interdisciplinary knowledge in all areas of environmental law while adapting to changes in professional practice and scholarship.
• Employ research principles and methods in environmental law and policy, executing substantial research-based projects using digital resources, tools and strategies.
• Exercise expert judgement in critically analysing complex interdisciplinary environmental problems at both domestic and international levels.
• Integrate scientific, economic, cultural and legal perspectives to define, analyse and address complex environmental challenges while articulating objective or persuasive conclusions using outstanding written and oral communication methods for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledges and perspectives, including the ongoing effects of colonisation and demonstrate a heightened ability to critically reflect upon the cultural specificity of law.
• Exhibit personal autonomy, accountability and adherence to cultural, ethical and academic standards.
• Innovate in the development of research-based projects, aiming for publication in peer-reviewed articles.

Fees and CSP

Estimated fee in 2025: $16,992 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated fee in 2025: $40,100 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated fees are calculated based on completing a study load of 48 credit points.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.