Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law (LoSIEL)

The "Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law (LLM)" Master’s programme (LoSIEL) at Universität Hamburg offers a unique programme in the field of international law of the sea and international environmental law. This exclusive programme is aimed at legal graduates who intend to pursue a career in national and international organisations or an academic career. The programme spans one year and consists of two semesters in which students earn 60 credit points (ECTS). Instruction is conducted entirely in English. The curriculum includes modules on general international law as well as specialised units on international law of the sea and international environmental law, complemented by comparative law modules and those focusing on regional actors. A highlight of the programme is the close connection between theory and practice. Students benefit from courses taught by international law experts, judges of international tribunals and practitioners. To apply, candidates must hold a first qualifying degree in law and provide proof of English language proficiency. The programme is expected to be offered additionally as a double degree in cooperation with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, giving students the opportunity to complete part of their studies in the USA. The Master’s programme provides a solid academic and practice-oriented foundation, preparing graduates for demanding legal roles worldwide. The Master's programme lasts 12 months from October to September of the following year consisting of six compulsory modules as well as the Master's thesis, totalling 60 ECTS credits. The semester begins in the winter semester with an orientation unit on methodology, academic work, and legal traditions (1 CP). The programme itself begins with the module “Public International Law” (4 CP), which serves as the foundation for the subsequent modules. This is followed by the modules “International Law of the Sea” (15 ECTS) and “International Environmental Law” (15 ECTS), which cover the central topics of the programme. In the summer semester, two additional modules (each 5 ECTS) are to be taken: "Regional Actors" and the comparative unit "Interrelations and Differences".  These modules focus on regional actors, particularly the European Union and regional fisheries management organisations as well as the interrelation between environmental law and international law of the sea, in particular regarding climate change. The Master’s programme concludes with a Master’s thesis (15 ECTS), which is written in the second semester. A processing time of four months is allocated for the thesis.