Polar Law Program

The University of Akureyri (Iceland) is offering the “first of its kind in the world” international graduate Master’s programs in Polar law: www.polar- law.is. Polar law describes the legal regimes applicable to  the Arctic and Antarctica. Emphasis is placed on areas of international and domestic law concerning the Polar Regions. Issues of human rights law, environmental law, the law of the sea, the law of sustainable development  and natural re- sources are addressed, including questions of sovereignty and boundary disputes on land and sea; the rights of Arctic Indigenous peoples; self- government and good governance; security; climate change; economies and business development; resource  claims and biodiversity in the Polar Regions.

The Master’s programs are designed both for lawyers (leading to the LL.M. degree -90 ECTS) and non-lawyers (leading to the M.A. degree -120 ECTS); there is also an option of a Diploma in Polar Law Studies at the undergraduate level (60 ECTS). Graduates will be able to seek work in the public and private sectors; with different levels of government (nationally and globally), with international and regional organizations; with academic institutions and non-governmental  organizations; and with national and transnational corporations to promote the interests of the Polar Regions and their inhabitants. Intensive courses are taught by the leading inter- national academic experts and practitioners in the field of Polar Law. There is no tuition fee; the deadline for application is April 15, 2009.

The University of Akureyri is located in Northern Iceland in attractive natural surroundings: www.english.unak.is.

Further information can be  obtained from Dr. Natalia Loukacheva, Director, Polar Law Program, natalial@unak.is.