The ANU College of Law is at the forefront of the teaching and study of environmental law in Australia. Its Graduate Program in Environmental Law is designed both for lawyers and those with no previous legal background.

Since its inception in the 1990s, the program has attracted hundreds of students from around Australia and internationally with very different backgrounds, undergraduate degrees and work experience. While many are just beginning their careers, many are well established in them.

The College offers a comprehensive program in environmental law including an array of specialist courses covering key areas ranging from climate to water, environmental planning and impact assessment to effective business regulation and enforcement. The program is taught in Canberra with some courses often offered in Melbourne.

The program’s aim is not only to provide students with a sophisticated understanding of the law but also to explore its origins and implementation, strengths and weaknesses. The interrelationship between the law and policy, science, economics and the broader culture are prime concerns.

For students who have not studied law before, the College offers an introductory course, Fundamentals of Environmental Law, which gives students a good grounding in the workings of the legal system in general and environmental law in particular. This course is offered twice each year in Canberra, in February and July.

Otherwise the Australian Centre for Environmental Law (ACEL) offers an array of specialist courses. Some of these courses, such as International Law of the Environment, International Climate Law and Australian Climate Law are at the moment being offered every year. Others are offered less frequently – typically once every two years – which means that students doing the Masters program part-time can still do these subjects.

The program offers flexible delivery and learning, designed to cater for the needs of people who are unable to attend regular day or evening lectures because of work, family or travel commitments. Its \”intensive\” courses in which the face-to-face tuition is usually compressed into 3-5 days will be attractive to both part-time and full-time students.

Please note not all courses are offered every year and different courses will be offered in future years, available to students commencing the program part time.

Courses on offer in 2012 in the Environmental Law Stream

• Fundamentals of Environmental Law (compulsory for non-lawyers)
• Australian Climate Law
• Australian Disaster Law
• Climate Change & Displacement
• Commonwealth Environment Law
• Corporate Environmental Responsibility
• International Climate Law
• International Law of the Environment
• Environmental Regulation
• Environmental Litigation
• Environmental & Risk Assessment Law
• Water Resources Law

Entry Requirements:
Applicants from a law background: Applicants must hold an Australian Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent. A strong pass degree or better is normally required for admission.

Applicants from a non-law background: Applicants must hold at least a three-year Australian Bachelors degree or equivalent. A strong pass degree or better is normally required for admission.

Applicants who do not hold a bachelors degree: Applicants with relevant experience but who do not hold a bachelors degree may be considered for entry, however there are additional entry requirements. For further details please contact the Postgraduate Administrator.