School of Law, Gender and Media, Law, Environment and Development Centre & Centre for Water and Development

NLUD-SOAS Joint LLM/MA in Environmental Justice in South Asia

Key information

Duration
1 year
Start of programme
September
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
Russell Square, College Buildings, SOAS University of London / National Law University Delhi, Sector 14, Dwarka, Delhi, India
Fees

Fee for all students: £12,354

 

Please note that fees are subject to increases on a yearly basis. See fees webpages for further details. 

 

For this programme students will be required to pay the total programme fee by 31 October.

Course code
LLM PGTF0287 / MA PGTF0288
Entry requirements

Students will need to meet all the following entry requirements for either the LLM or the MA:

 

MA: A 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant Social Sciences subject for students other than India. For students applying from India and holding a BA/BSc/BCom from India, students need to have completed an integrated four-year degree programme to be eligible for the course.

 

LLM: A 2:2 LLB (or international equivalent). Students wishing to apply for the LLM Programme must have successfully completed an LLB. If you have a lower degree classification, your application may be considered if you can present a strong case, either through relevant work experience, other legal qualifications, or a strong supporting statement. References are not required but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

Indian degree equivalent: 3 or 4 year BA degree, minimum overall 55% or 5.5/10

Please see our international entry requirements and English language requirements for further details.

 

Admissions

Students will need to apply via SOAS only for this programme. For details on how to apply to SOAS, see our How to apply pages.

International Mobility

This programme contains mandatory travel from the UK to India. To be able to undertake the programme, Students must successfully obtain a visitor visa for the UK prior to starting the programme and a student visa for India before the start of Term 2. Please ensure to check the visa requirements and your eligibility for a visa for both the UK and India before applying to this programme. Neither SOAS nor NLUD can accept liability for failure of a student to obtain valid UK and Indian visas for the programme.

 

Please see SOAS visas and immigration for more information on applying for a UK visitor visa and the NLUD Visa page and the Ministry of Home Affairs, India for an Indian student visa.

Course overview

The LLM/MA Environmental Justice in South Asia is an innovative 1-year course located in the Global North and the Global South to explore critical environmental and climate change issues from the South-North perspective while also providing students a rich learning opportunity to engage and learn directly from field exposure.

It provides a unique and transformative learning experience, which graduates of the course can bring to careers in research, policy studies and international non-governmental and governmental organizations. The course incorporates a core taught component, a clinical component and a dissertation.

Why study the LLM/MA in Environmental Justice in South Asia?

The programme provides a unique specialisation in one of the most rapidly developing areas of law with special reference to South Asia. It offers students an option to study environmental law and its application and relevance to a broad range of areas with special reference to South Asia. The programme provides an opportunity to students to and apply learn tools of research methodology unique to environmental law along with an exposure to the field through a clinical component.

The course aims to build the student potential for growth both personally and professionally and it provides a route to further study through a PhD. On course completion, students will be equipped with research skills, exposure to the global South and North, while obtaining the necessary skills for career progression.

Why SOAS?

  • SOAS is ranked in the UK top 20 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • We are ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. NLUD
  • National Law University Delhi is ranked 2nd in the Law Category, in the 2023 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings.
  • Established in 2008, NLUD has become one of the leading institutions of legal education and impact-driven research in India.
  • It is accredited with CGPA of 3.10 on four point scale at ‘A’ grade valid up to April 2028, awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Why NLUD?

  • National Law University Delhi is ranked 2nd in the Law Category, in the 2023 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings.  
  • Established in 2008, NLUD has become one of the leading institutions of legal education and impact-driven research in India. 
  • It is accredited with CGPA of 3.10 on four point scale at ‘A’ grade valid up to April 2028, awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). 

Living in London

Owing to the short-term stay in London for the course, you will not be able to stay in the main SOAS Halls of Residence. This means that your accommodation will not be booked via the SOAS Accommodation Office, but directly with our partner agencies

Structure

To be awarded the LLM/MA, students must take modules to a total value of 180 SOAS credits / 120 NLUD credits. This will include a mix of compulsory courses, electives courses and a dissertation. Please note that not all modules listed will be available every year.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The content and availability of optional modules may be subject to change. 

SOAS (September to January) Students take the following three compulsory modules delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):

SOAS (September to January)

Students take the following three compulsory modules delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):

AND one of the guided optional modules below delivered by SOAS (15 SOAS credits is equivalent to 10 NLUD credits):

NLUD (February to June)

Students take the following four compulsory modules delivered by NLUD (10 NLUD credits is equivalent to 15 SOAS credits):

Dissertation

Dissertation (12,000 words), on a topic related to environmental justice. The module can be undertaken at SOAS or NLUD or remotely (60 SOAS credits is equivalent to 40 NLUD credits):

Teaching and learning

The language of instruction of the programme will be English.

Contact hours

The Masters in Environmental Justice in South Asia consist of 180 SOAS credits/120 NLUD credits, made up of taught modules of 15/10 credits taught over one term, and a dissertation of 60/40 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional electives.

At SOAS, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on.

At NLUD 1 credit equals approximately 15 hours of classroom teaching. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes.

Knowledge and understanding

During this course students will: 

  • acquire specialist knowledge of environmental law related in particular to South Asia
  • learn about the context in which environmental law is made, interpreted, adjudicated, and amended in a North-South perspective and focused on South Asia
  • learn about the role and function of legal institutions in managing the environment and natural resources in South Asia
  • develop knowledge of the weight and significance of different sources and methodologies and how to locate relevant materials and assess their relevance and/or importance

Learning outcomes

During this course students will: 

  • develop rigour in analysis and assessment of legal arguments
  • develop the ability to understand, summarise and critically assess differing perspectives on theoretical debates
  • be encouraged to bring to bear their own previous experience and knowledge in addressing legal issues in an interdisciplinary manner
  • learn to identify issues and formulate questions for further research through independent work
  • be able to apply the research methodology tools and skillsets in their dissertation and for future research work

Scholarships

Title Deadline date
NLUD-SOAS Joint LLM/MA Bursary Award

Employment

Graduates of this programme will leave with a solid grounding in environmental law and justice as civic minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to making their communities and societies more sustainable.

They will have a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying the environment and will be valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and a regional South Asian and global perspective.