Environmental Law - master

Problem solving and active student participation are the essential components of NOMPEL. Teaching methods include, inter alia, analyses of court cases and constructed hypothetical cases, and discussions related to student presentations.

NOMPEL teaching staff encourages critical thinking and independent study. Students are offered a wide range of teaching and learning activities as appropriate to the aims of the individual courses. These include (a) lectures followed by plenary discussion - sessions supported by written texts and presentations; (b) seminars organised as participative lectures or with student presentations; and (c) workshops and smaller seminar groups exploring the themes of the preceding presentations or addressing pre-given tasks, texts and questions. The writing of individual assignments represents an integrated part of the learning approach. Students are encouraged to use study groups as a resource for learning and debate. The use of learning approaches varies within individual modules and university traditions, but all participants are encouraged to develop a common course identity. Students are responsible for creating study groups, to consolidate shared interests and to pursue a more in-depth study of an issue.

Continuity and progression are assured by means of the design of the curriculum. The first semester lays the foundations and provides the basis for understanding approaches, perspectives and tools in international and EU environmental law and the law on energy transition. The second and third semester provide in-depth studies of (i) natural resources management and biodiversity law and (ii) climate change and energy law. The fourth semester enables students to consolidate and expand their understanding of the subjects covered in the Programme, by pursuing an independent research project linked to the subjects taught in the programme.

The institution responsible for each course determines the rules and processes concerning the assessment and grading of that course.

The student must have obtained 75 ECTS in NOMPEL courses in order to progress to the fourth semester.

Bachelor of Law corresponding to at least three years of full-time study (180 ECTS credits) or a university degree of at least 180 ECTS credits, comprising or in combination with at least 90 ECTS credits in legal studies + motivational letter

Admission requirements

Academic Requirements

A Bachelor of Law corresponding to at least three years of full-time study (180 ECTS credits). Alternatively, a university degree of at least 180 ECTS credits, comprising or in combination with at least 90 ECTS credits in legal studies.

Since this is a joint Master Programme, the degree must be approved by all participating universities according to the rules in each NOMPEL country.

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required.

This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Admission procedure

The Cooperation Agreement stipulates the admission procedure. 

Selection

 Students are selected based on

- an appraisal of previous university studies; and

- a letter of motivation (1 page), including information about previous education, work and other relevant experience.

Students will be admitted to the Programme at Uppsala University, which administers the admissions, in accordance with Swedish legislation and procedures adopted by Uppsala University, and the qualification requirements specified in the Programme Educational Plan. Uppsala University is responsible for managing any complaints submitted about decisions concerning the admission to the Programme.

For information on how to apply, what documents you need to submit, and the application fee, check the Uppsala University application guide. Besides the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a statement of purpose (1 page). The statement of purpose should include information on previous education, work and other experience.

In accordance with local capacity and regulations, the number of students to be admitted each year to the Programme must be decided annually by the Parties, after consultation with the Steering Committee. The aim is to admit 25 students each year.

Students admitted to the Programme by Uppsala University are also registered at the University of Eastern Finland and at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, to gain study rights as a degree student and be able to access student services.

Student fees

Students from outside of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland will be subject to tuition and application fees, when studying at Uppsala University and the University of Eastern Finland. The application fee for students from outside the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland is SEK 900. Tuition fee for the first semester at Uppsala University is SEK 50,000. Tuition fees for the second semester set by the University of Eastern Finland, can be found on their websites.

All students are required to pay a semester fee to the Arctic Student Welfare Organisation for studies administered by UiT The Artic University of Norway. All Master’s degree students at the University of Eastern Finland are required to join the Student Union and must pay the student union membership fee for the semester they spend at that university. All students are furthermore required to pay a healthcare fee for the semester they spend at the University of Eastern Finland.

Uppsala University, the University of Eastern Finland and UiT The Arctic University of Norway determine the level of fees, in accordance with national and institutional regulations and procedures. The fees shall be collected by the Party in question, during the semester the student is studying at that University.

Students will be financially responsible for:

• Travel to and from the institutions they are attending during the length of the Programme.
• Books, stationery, etc.
• Travel documentation, visas, etc.
• Accommodation and living expenses.
• Student association/general service charges (if applicable).
• International insurance coverage relevant to their stay in a given country.

The objective of NOMPEL is to educate and examine master students with competencies in three complementary domains, as stipulated in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), annex 2:

Knowledge and Understanding: Candidates can:

• identify and comprehend complex environmental legal issues concerning, inter alia, the role of law in connection with (a) design and implementation of environmental law and policy and in particular the transformation of energy systems and (b) effective management of natural resources, including preventing the loss of biodiversity;

• understand legal questions concerning sustainable development, natural resources management, biodiversity conservation, climate change and sustainable energy systems;

• identify and understand the nature and interaction of international and EU environmental law and their national implementation, including by using Nordic case studies;

• identify and understand the economic, social and policy concerns in solving the legal problems and issues arising in this field;

Competence and Skills: Candidates have the ability to:

• reflect on various environment law topics and to ask critical questions from a legal perspective;

• synthesize intricate environmental law problems;

• work independently and to carry out an integrated and comprehensive analysis of environmental and energy law;

• identify and select relevant legislative documents and cases;

• successfully undertake written assignments, deliver oral presentations and conduct small-scale research in environmenal law and energy law, implementing policies and applying regulatory frameworks and instruments;

• correctly and comprehensively advise on issues of environmental law, in particular, in relation to climate change, sustainable energy, resource management and biodiversity;

• develop the competencies required to professionally advise businesses, organizations and public authorities on the adoption, implementation, supervision, development and control of sustainable energy and environmental regulation;

• identify new solutions to support the transition to a sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient economy;

Judgement and Approach: Candidates can:

• demonstrate the ability to evaluate environmental law processes and mechanisms with regard to disciplinary, social and ethical aspects. Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used; and

• demonstrate the ability to identify a need for developing their personal knowledge and take responsibility for their ongoing learning.