
Overview
The law is both a driver of the contemporary environmental, natural resource, and sustainability challenges which humanity faces today, and a critical tool for addressing them. From climate change and biodiversity loss to water scarcity and energy efficiency, the law plays a critical role in society’s ability to mobilise an effective response.
Developed by Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, this course surveys the most pressing sustainability issues and the existing and emerging legal frameworks that may address them across a range of jurisdictions.
Delivered over eight weeks, entirely online, our course will address sustainable development and the law, environmental protection and climate change, and opportunities for intervention within health and food law and corporate and securities law.
During this law and sustainability course, you will examine and develop an understanding of:
- the most pressing sustainability challenges domestically and globally;
- legal principles and frameworks for environment and sustainability;
- the key international treaties developed to address sustainability issues like climate change and the loss of biodiversity;
- the relationships between science and the law;
- systemic lawyering for sustainability; and
- the role of non-legal actors including NGOs, think tanks, and civil society; how corporate and securities law can address sustainability challenges.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be empowered with an understanding of sustainability and equipped with tools and perspectives that will have immediate benefits to your career. You will also receive a certificate that will support your career progression and enhance your resume.
This course is also certified by the CPD UK's (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points.
Note, the onus is on students to request these CPD certificates at the end of their studies. The University and partners accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Get more details
Visit official programme websiteProgramme Structure
Modules include:
- Module 0: Getting started
- Module 1: Sustainability and the law
- Module 2: Legal frameworks, regulatory guidance, and soft law
- Module 3: Science and the law
- Module 4: Systemic lawyering
- Module 5: Sustainability challenges in corporate and securities law
- Module 6: Sustainability challenges in health and food law
- Module 7: Sustainability challenges in the global south
- Module 8: Law and sustainability: The case of climate change
Assessment tasks will vary but all modules give you the opportunity to test your knowledge, ensuring you’re on track with your learning targets. In your final assignment, you will demonstrate your understanding of the various concepts considered during the course and develop a memorandum and pitch to introduce sustainability challenges in relation to the law.
Lecturers
Dr Aisha Saad – Lead academic, Law and Sustainability online short course
Check out the full curriculum
Visit official programme websiteKey information
Duration
- Part-time
- 56 days
- 5 hrs/week
Start dates & application deadlines
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Delivered
- Semi-structured
- No Attendance
- Individual work/assignments (with online group discussions)
Disciplines
Sustainable Development Legal Studies Environmental Sciences View 38 other Short Courses in Sustainable Development in United KingdomExplore more key information
Visit official programme websiteAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
- This distance learning course is designed for you if you have some basic familiarity with the law and a real interest in using its tools to address contemporary sustainability challenges.
- You should consider this course if you are a paralegal, a lawyer, or an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) advocate, or if you work in government or business.
- This course does not have any specific entry requirements. However, although a legal background for the course is not critical, it may be useful for learners to have an understanding of legal systems and processes.
- In addition, a certain level of commitment will be expected – we recommend dedicating 3-5 hours a week to your studies. All activities and tasks will take place online, so please ensure you have a stable internet connection and suitable equipment to participate in group discussions.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Visit official programme websiteTuition Fee
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International
1500 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1500 GBP for the full programme during 56 days. -
National
1500 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1500 GBP for the full programme during 56 days.
*Discounts available to alumni and those working in the public sector. Evidence required.
Funding
We believe that access to finance should never be a barrier to learning. Discounts on our online short courses are available to Oxford University alumni, those working in a public sector role and those living in certain geographical regions* (evidence is required).
It is also possible to pay your fees in two instalments. The first payment will be a deposit to reserve your space on the course, and the second will settle your balance ahead of the course start date
We also encourage employers to fund their employees on our online short courses. If your employer funds more than one employee, they can benefit from a corporate discount; the more employees they sponsor, the higher the discount they can receive.
*Eligible countries currently include Brazil, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and all African nations.
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.