The LL.M programme is 90 ECTS credits.

The LL.M programme is a full-time study programme at the campus of Tromsø. It extends over three semesters and is at master’s level. The advanced nature of the programme is reflected in the content and structure of the curriculum, the active involvement of the students during classes, and the ways in which students are examined.

The LL.M programme is organized in a manner to ensure that there is a logical connection between the knowledge, skills and general competence to be acquired by students, what is taught and required of the students during the classes, and the examinations in which the knowledge and skills of the students are tested. The study promotes the oral and written ability of description. The LL.M. programme fosters the ability and skills of students to articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Students can only progress to a following semester if they have successfully passed all the modules in the previous semester(s).

Programme outline

FIRST SEMESTER

• JUR-3050 General Law of the Sea (15 ECTS): The course provides a general introduction to the central themes of the law of the sea, including the rules and principles relating to the different maritime zones, maritime boundary delimitation, and dispute settlement.
• JUR-3055 Uses of the Oceans (15 ECTS): The course focuses on the different uses of the oceans, particularly fisheries, exploration and exploitation of non-living resources, international navigation, and illegal uses thereof.

SECOND SEMESTER

• JUR-3052 International Marine Environmental Law (15 ECTS): The course focuses on the international legal rules concerning the protection and preservation of the marine environment. More specifically, it focuses on: the adverse effects the different uses of the sea have on the marine environment; the effects of climate change; and the international legal rules concerning the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of marine biodiversity and the marine environment.
• JUR-3053 The Law of the Sea and the Arctic (15 ECTS): The course focuses on applying some key aspects of the law of the sea that have been taught earlier in the LL.M programme to the specific context of the Arctic.

THIRD SEMESTER

• JUR-3910 Master´s thesis in Law of the Sea (30 ECTS): Students may select their own law of the sea topic on which to write their master’s thesis. However, the topic must be approved by the LL.M. Programme’s Academic Director.

During the LL.M-programme, students will acquire knowledge, skills, general competence, and experience that prepare and enable them to develop into international lawyers with specialist and in-depth understanding of the law of the sea and the international law relating to the protection and preservation of the marine environment.

To achieve these objectives the students on the LL.M programme are to acquire and develop the following qualifications:

Knowledge

After completing the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law of the Sea, the LL.M candidate in law of the sea shall have obtained:

• advanced knowledge on the central themes of the law of the sea
• advanced knowledge on other specialized topics of the law of the sea
• knowledge of scientific research methods

Skills

After completing the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law of the Sea, the LL.M candidate in law of the sea shall be able to:

• identify and analyse questions of a theoretical and practical character by using an appropriate methodological and ethical approach
• identify and critically interpret different sources of the law of the sea
• identify the limitations of the existing law of the sea, suggest changes, thereby contributing towards legal development
• independently undertake a limited research project on a law of the sea topic in accordance with the ethics of research
• comprehend, systemize, and apply complex information
• communicate in English in a clear and precise manner, both orally and in writing
• stay up to date on legal developments within the law of the sea to further develop their knowledge

General Competence

After completing the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law of the Sea, the graduate is able to:

• apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the field of the law of the sea individually and in cooperation with others
• communicate on law of the sea issues in a clear and precise manner to the academic community and the public, both orally and in writing
• apply knowledge and skills acquired within the field of the law of the sea to other fields of international law
• identify and reflect on ethical dilemmas that may arise within
• the law of the sea and deal with these in a responsible manner
• apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the field of the law of the sea to carry out tasks within given timeframes

The LL.M programme qualifies and prepares students for legal careers both at the national and international level, especially those that require extensive knowledge of the law of the sea. Examples include the United Nations and its specialized agencies or other international organizations (e.g., the International Maritime Organization (IMO), national diplomatic services or ministries dealing with law of the sea issues, international courts and tribunals, non-governmental organizations, public administration, the maritime industry, universities, and international law firms.

Further, over the years several students on the LL.M programme have completed internships at leading international institutions, such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

Students may also wish to pursue a Ph.D. within the law of the sea or related fields. However, the LL.M programme does not provide, on its own, admission to the PhD programmes in Law and Political Science at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway.

Admission to the Master Programme in Law of the Sea requires a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), with at least 80 ECTS credits specialization in law; or at least 80 ECTS credits specialization in a relevant social science subject for example, in Political Science (e.g., international relations or peace and conflict studies) or Maritime Studies (e.g., maritime policy, marine management, Maritime History, Maritime Security, Ship and Port Management, or Nautical Studies)

Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale.

Applicants with education from non-Nordic countries must document English language proficiency.

There are approximately 20 available places on the programme.

For questions about admission to this programme, contact admission@hjelp.uit.no

Applicants from non EU/EEA countries:

• The application deadline is November 15th.
• Online application, study code 2033
• You will find more information about international admission here.
• Non-EU students must be prepared to pay tuition fees, more information here

Applicants from EU/EEA + Switzerland:

• The application deadline is March 1st.
• Online application, study code 7151
• You will find more information about international admission here.

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th
• Online application, study code 7001
• Her finner du all informasjon knyttet til søking og opptak.

The starting point

Students on the LL.M programme are taught by legal experts from within the Faculty of Law, especially the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS), and from outside the Faculty, including by members of intergovernmental organizations and international courts and tribunals, academics from other universities, and legal practitioners.

The teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, writing courses, a moot-court, and excursions to relevant institutions. Students are required to actively participate in all these activities.

On the LL.M programme, there is active interaction between the faculty/teaching staff and the students. The students are to acquire knowledge through their own activities and in interaction with fellow students and faculty staff. The students are expected to be active during classes and to undertake both voluntary as well as mandatory assignments.

The LL.M programme is linked to the requirements and expectations of society for ethical and professional conduct of members of the legal profession.

The teaching, assignments and exams are designed in a way to reflect the different types of tasks and requirements the graduates of the LL.M programme will face in their future professional careers. This objective is to be achieved through the active participation of students in the different courses; their own studies; by having discussions with both fellow students and teaching staff; and by independently writing (research) papers and a master’s thesis.

The lectures will introduce different themes of law of the sea. They will also cover the prescribed literature and prepare students for the seminars. In seminars, which is one of the major forms of teaching, students and teaching staff will identify and discuss in-depth legal questions. Students also need to hand in (research) papers during the courses to develop their knowledge on law of the sea issues and enhance their analytical and writing skills.

Student activity

Students have an important responsibility for their own learning. They are required (both individually and in groups with fellow students) to:

• actively collect, acquire, and process the learning materials
• prepare for and to be active during classes and to undertake the necessary supplementary work outside of the classes
• keep themselves updated on current developments (e.g., new international legislation and case law)

Learning environment

The teaching staff and the students cooperate in creating a social and academic environment of the highest possible quality. On the LL.M. programme, there is close contact between the students and the teaching staff.

Students play an active role to play in the quality assurance of the LL.M programme and will be able to interact with the teaching staff in this regard. Students on the LL.M programme have access to the facilities of the University library and its resources, including the open study halls.

Teaching

The teaching is designed in a way to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the LL.M programme, as described above. It also prepares students for their future careers. The teaching is meant to supplement and inspire the self-learning of students. It is research-based and allows for dialogue between student and teaching staff. The teaching methods used in the programme are varied. This is necessary in light of the different ways of learning and the distinctive character of the topics covered on the LL.M programme, the expertise and availability of teaching staff, and the prescribed literature. Students will also be instructed on how to use online legal databases.

The LL.M programme utilizes different means of instruction and engagement. Most of the teaching is delivered through seminars and lectures; comparatively, students will have more hours of seminars than lectures. Lectures will provide an in-depth coverage of the main themes that are covered in the readings and further discussed in the seminars that will be subsequently held. The seminars are led by the teaching staff and are problem-oriented and practical in nature. Students are expected to actively participate (individually and in groups) through making oral presentations, writing essays and other written pieces of work, having discussions in class, and through related activities. In addition,guest lectures are also part of the curriculum for the benefit of student learning.

Exams and assessments

The students are assessed both during and at the end of the LL.M programme. The forms of assessment include work requirements, six hour written school exams, a home exam followed by an oral exam, and at the end of the LL.M programme each student must write a master’s thesis. The exams and thesis are graded A to F, with F being a fail and an E or above a pass grade. Students that fail or have a legitimate reason for absence may repeat the exam, cf. Regulations for studies and examinations at the University of Tromsø Section 25-27.

The language of instruction on the LL.M programme is English. Therefore, the exam question papers are set in English, and the answers must be given in English. Similarly, the oral exam is also conducted in English. And the master’s thesis must be written in English as well.

Exam requirements

JUR-3050 has mandatory work requirements which must be approved before the students are permitted to sit the exam. These work requirements relate to the active participation in the writing course offered as part of JUR-3050, and the submission of a written assignment.

JUR-3055 has a mandatory work requirement consisting of a moot court which students have to pass before they have access to the exam.

Students can only start writing their master thesis if they: 1) have attended the mandatory writing course that is offered as part of JUR-3910; and 2) had their thesis project proposal approved by the LL.M Programme’s Academic Director.

Dispensation

In exceptional circumstances and upon application, the Academic Affairs Committee may grant dispensation from the requirement of having passed a previous examination.

English