The Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP) provides an inter-disciplinary study program that meets the knowledge requirements of students interested in careers in environmental law, and environmental policy and management. This novel interdisciplinary environmental program is the only one in Australia to fully integrate the otherwise separate disciplines of law, policy and management. Students will acquire an advanced level of knowledge and analytical skills in relation to the issues, challenges and conduct of environmental law, environmental policy and environmental management, and the areas of interaction between the disciplines. The program provides opportunities for in-depth study and research in respect of the interrelationship between the environmental legal system, the frameworks and tools of sustainable environmental management, and the complex policy issues presented by the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Not all courses are necessarily available in any one year. The MELP will not itself lead to a professional qualification for legal practice but will enable a student to acquire expertise in environmental law, sustainable environmental management, and environmental policy.

Please contact the Faculty of Law for information regarding the Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes.

The MELP may be taken full time in three semesters or part time in a minimum of four semesters. A total of 72 units of credit (12 courses) are required for the award of the degree of MELP.

The Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP) is a joint program of UNSW Law and Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies at UNSW of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Postgraduate Law and IES@UNSW courses are taught in a variety of formats during the University's formal academic semesters, including summer. While some are taught for two hours per week over a teaching semester, other classes are arranged more intensively to permit students to focus fully on a research essay.

Award of the Degree

The degree of Master of Environmental Law and Policy may be awarded by the Council to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed the required program of advanced study.

Qualifications

A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded:

A cognate discipline is defined as environmental law and/or environmental policy. Some students may have studied these branches of study within an environmental policy program or an environmental law program, or a combined environmental law and environmental policy program.

An environment policy program is defined to include a Bachelor, Graduate Diploma or higher qualification in the area of environmental management, environmental policy, environmental studies or other structured program of ‘environmental’ study in fields such as planning, science, social sciences, humanities or economics. An environmental law program is defined to include a Bachelor, Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma or higher qualification in the area of law involving the completion of a structured specialisation or identified family/grouping of electives in environmental law (e.g. environmental law, planning law, local government law, international environmental law, energy and resources law).

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing for previous learning may be granted for up to 12 UOC for postgraduate courses completed at UNSW Australia or a recognised equivalent university within 5 years from the commencement of the program. In accordance with the current advanced standing guidelines of the primary administering faculty (i.e. UNSW Law), “double dipping” will not be permitted, which means that if students have used postgraduate courses to satisfy degree requirements for a previously awarded degree, the units of credit for those courses cannot be used towards this postgraduate degree. Notwithstanding that rule, if any compulsory courses (recognised as being equivalent at UNSW) have already been credited towards the previous degree, applicants will not be required to repeat those courses, but will be required to make up the equivalent number of units of credit by completing additional electives. Advanced Standing will only be granted for graded courses completed at Credit level (65%) or above.

Enrolment and Progression

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

A total of 72 units of credit (12 courses) is required for the MELP. The following core and elective disciplinary and advanced disciplinary courses are available for credit towards the degree.

The program consists of six (6) core courses and six (6) prescribed elective courses. The requirements/study pattern for completing core and elective disciplinary and advanced disciplinary subjects in the program may vary depending on an individual student's recognized prior learning (discussed below).

Students must satisfactorily complete 36 UOC (6 subjects) of the following core subjects:

Environmental Law courses

Core Disciplinary (taken during the first semester of Year 1)

Students who have completed a Bachelor of Laws with a minimum of a credit average may be eligible to be exempt from completing LAWS8167 and may be given permission to undertake another Environmental Law Courses in lieu of this. These requests can only be approved by the Program Director. Please contact Law Student Services for more information on law@unsw.edu.au

Core Advanced Disciplinary: Environmental Law (taken during the first two semesters of Year 1)

Environmental Studies Courses

Core Advanced Disciplinary: Environmental Studies (taken during Years 1 and 2)

Note: IEST5001 is normally to be taken at the start of the program, while IEST5003, a capstone course, should be taken later in the program, preferably the final semester.

Prescribed Electives

Environmental Studies courses

Students must complete at least 6 UOC (1 course) from the following list of disciplinary courses:

These courses will usually be taken in year 1. Particular courses may be recommended from this list to students following discussions with the program coordinator of an individual student’s academic qualifications and experience.

Students must also complete 12UOC (2 courses) from the following list:

Environmental Law courses

Students must complete 18 UOC (3 courses) from the following courses

Not all courses will be offered in every year. New courses may be added to the following list from time to time.

ENROLMENT
The Enrolment Guide for the Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP) can be found on the Enrolment UNSW Law website.