Switzerland
Class of 2008/09
I had already studied in the UK before coming to Nottingham as I had studied European and international law at the University of Sheffield.
I chose to study at the University of Nottingham specifically because it offers this unique, interdisciplinary degree. Scientific research raises awareness of the influence of human behaviour on the natural environment, and I believe that it is important for environmental regulators to have an understanding of the underlying scientific processes in order to create effective solutions. Thus the MSc Law and Environmental Science offered me the opportunity to build on my legal background and gain some insight of the scientific basis of environmental problems.
In the legal modules I learnt the basic principles of international and European environmental law, and studied in more detail some legal frameworks dealing with specific environmental problems such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity, or water pollution. At the same time I undertook science classes teaching me what causes climate change, why biodiversity is decreasing, or how pollutants can be eliminated. Thus the classes in School of Law and the School of Biosciences were complimentary, and I learnt the legal and scientific sides of the same problems. In addition I had some practical classes such as a laboratory tutorial and field trips which provided a variety of teaching which was new and appealing to me.
Although the MSc Law and Environmental Science is open to both lawyers and scientists I was actually the first person to undertake this degree coming from a legal rather than a scientific background. This was a challenge but with some effort I managed to attain some of my best grades in the science modules.
After my Master’s degree at Nottingham I was accepted to do a five-month internship in the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission, where I was able to gain some interesting first work experience.