In a world facing unique economic, environmental and social challenges of a scale not seen before, promoting sustainable development has become a priority. In addition, many of the challenges have become global and require global solutions. Increasing numbers of graduates and professionals from diverse fields including business, education, science and engineering are looking to contribute on a longer term basis to the achievement of sustainable development goals (including the Millennium Goals), not only at a practical level but at a policy, planning or managerial level.

However, often these positions demand a range of additional knowledge and skill that may not have been acquired in undergraduate degree programmes. The focus of this programme is to provide graduates and professionals from diverse disciplines with a solid grounding in the structures, rules and norms of key institutions of global economic governance, and how these can promote, shape, or restrict the achievement of sustainable development at both the international level and the local level. For example, a science graduate planning a career with an organisation specialising in advising on or promoting conservation issues with an international dimension (e.g. logging) would benefit from understanding not only the principles of international environmental law but also their relationship with the rules of the world trading system, and how together these rules might constrain or shape the ability of governments to impose environmental controls on commercial activities. A health professional concerned with access to medicines in southern countries will want to understand the global rules of the trade related aspects of intellectual property law, while a professional working to promote international ‘fair trade’ would benefit from understanding how the global trading rules promote but also constrain access to international markets, as well as who makes these rules, and how.

As well as providing a grounding in the structures, rules and norms of global economic governance - students will also have the opportunity to select elective classes from other masters programmes offered within the Law School, and also from related programmes offered by other Departments. Examples could include classes in international public policy analysis, economics in the international context, international management, or social entrepreneurship.

Another unique aspect of this programme is the opportunity for LLM students to undertake a field dissertation within a governmental or non-governmental organisation with an international focus. This field dissertation will either be undertaken here in the UK or, more likely, overseas either in northern or southern countries. It will involve undertaking a project or field work in partnership with professionals in the local organisation centred around a specific area of law as agreed between the student, the Course Director and the local organisation. This area of law will form the subject of the dissertation. While the dissertation itself will satisfy the normal academic criteria for all dissertations and will have a theoretically informed and critical focus, the field dissertation is intended to enable students to embed it within a particular local context, based around the identification of real, local issues.

The field dissertation will commence between July and September after satisfactory completion of all the instructional elements of the programme, and will last for up to 12 weeks. Examples of projects include: supporting the development of new legal policy, promoting international best practice, drafting or reviewing materials for training and education purposes, or drafting or assisting with the preparation of reports relating to proposed legal developments. Students will be required to submit the dissertation by February in order to graduate in July of the following year. Field Dissertation opportunities are limited and will only is available on a competitive basis and subject to successful interview.

The project/field work itself is organised and supported by Challenges Worldwide. Challenges Worldwide (CWW) is an innovative, award-winning, social enterprise working in international development.

CWW has worked with more than 100 NGOs, government departments, social enterprises, community groups and fair trade organisations in more than 20 countries around the world. These organisations work to advance CWW’s four development themes - Rights, Health, Livelihoods and Environment. CWW works with volunteers who have professional skills and several years work experience. By recruiting a consistent supply of high quality professionals, CWW enables its international partners to improve the vital services they deliver to their communities. Volunteers work for 3-6 months. Throughout the last 10 years, CWW has recruited, trained and managed more than 500 professionals to volunteer their skills and experience. Key to the success of CWW is the establishment of partnerships in the UK. Working in this innovative partnership with The Law School, University of Strathclyde will enable CWW to make a bigger difference to people’s lives around the world.

In addition to the specialised knowledge and enhanced skills candidates gain, successful completion provides other benefits including:

• Enhanced career advancement
• A further academic qualification as tangible evidence of your expertise
• The opportunity to study in a dynamic, multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city but situated close to one of Europe’s largest remaining wildernesses Delivered by experts from Strathclyde University and other international experts, the Master’s degree provides a unique opportunity to gain an invaluable postgraduate qualification from one of Scotland’s leading law schools.