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
SOAS University of London / National Law University Delhi
Fees

For all students: £12,848

Course code
LLM PGTF0287 / MA PGTF0288
Entry requirements

MA: A 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant Social Sciences subject for students other than from 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

Make a meaningful difference by developing the skills to address today’s most urgent environmental challenges. 

The Joint LLM/MA in Environmental Justice offered by SOAS University of London and National Law University Delhi (NLUD) is an unparalleled opportunity to develop critical expertise in environmental law and policy with a focus on South Asia. This programme is designed for students passionate about making a real-world difference and gaining the skills necessary to address urgent global challenges.  

Learn in two dynamic cities—London and New Delhi—while gaining both global and regional insights into environmental law, policy, and community action. 

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

Develop strong research and analytical skills 

In Term 1 at SOAS, you’ll engage with leading scholars, conduct in-depth legal research, and participate in debates on contemporary environmental challenges and their application in the South Asian context. 

Your research and analytical skills will be honed through seminars, case studies, and legal writing that prepares you for the complexities of modern environmental issues. 

Gain clinical skills and hands-on experience 

In Term 2 at NLUD you will work directly with communities in India through a Law Clinic, applying your legal knowledge to real-world environmental issues. Learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to help solve pressing environmental problems faced by communities directly impacted. 

It is also designed to help in knowledge transfer using workable models from the global North to the global South and vice versa. 

Develop regional expertise 

Understanding the legal, cultural, and environmental dynamics of South Asia is crucial to addressing global environmental challenges. By studying at both SOAS and NLUD, you will gain deep insight into the region's legal frameworks, environmental issues, and socio-political context. 

This regional focus is unique to this LLM programme, giving you an edge in a highly competitive field. 

Unlock new career opportunities 

With the growing importance of environmental law, this LLM will open doors to careers in international organisations, NGOs, government agencies, and law firms across the globe. You will benefit from the SOAS and NLUD alumni networks, offering global connections and mentoring from professionals working in environmental law, policy, and activism. 

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

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.

What to expect 

  • Term 1 (September to January): Study in London at SOAS, where you'll gain foundational knowledge of international environmental law, with an emphasis on South Asia. 
  • Term 2 (February to June): Move to New Delhi, where your education will be grounded in the South Asian region, developing a good understanding of region specific regulatory models  and working with communities as part of the clinical courses. 
  • Thesis Project (June to September): Complete an original research project or practical report based on your fieldwork and research, supported by faculty from both universities. 

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

Endorsements from Industry Professionals

Marta Simonetti, Managing Director and founder of Globalfields Ltd, UK

The NLUD-SOAS Joint LLM/MA in Environmental Justice in South Asia delves deeply into a wide range of issues arising from the current planetary and human rights crises. 

 

It critically examine the various policy challenges associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation, including climate change litigation against public authorities and companies and offers new perspectives on environmental and climate justice as well as environmental law, studied from a regional and international perspective. 

Sagar Dhara, Researcher, South Asian People's Action on Climate Crisis (SAPACC)

The proposed LLM/MA course in Environmental Justice by NLUD, Delhi and SOAS, London promises to be an interesting programme that merges expertise from two prestigious institutions. It offers students an opportunity to engage with critical environmental issues from a South-North perspective. The course emphasizes both academic training in environmental policy and research and exposure to how environmental law pans out in the field. 

 

By fostering collaborative learning in international environmental law that spans two continents, this course should produce a new generation of professionals who will be better equipped to address pressing environmental challenges. 

Arkaja Singh, Fellow, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, New Delhi

The NLUD-SOAS joint programme in Environmental Justice brings a refreshing new approach to how law and social science students engage with the critical environmental and climate change challenges of our times. 

 

It provides theory, intellectual methods and a contextualised understanding of environment and climate change, plus the opportunity to engage with specialised (and deeply relevant) questions in these areas. 

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.

You 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.

Potential employers of graduates of this programme include:

  • Advocates for International Development (A4ID)
  • Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA)
  • Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
  • World Resources Institute (WRI)
  • Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED)
  • World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India)
  • UN Agencies: UNDP, UNEP
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Consultancies: EY, PWC, Dalberg
  • Sustainable Futures Collaborative
  • South Asia Peoples Action for Climate Action
  • Kalpavriksh
  • Foundation for Ecological Security
  • Council on Energy, Environment and Water 
  • Enviro Legal Defence Firm
  • Toxic Links
  • Centre for Policy Research
  • Friends of the Earth
  • ClientEarth
  • Globalfields
  • Legal Resources Initiative
  • Milieu Law & Policy Consulting
  • Simply Sustainable