Natural Resources Law Micro-credential

The Natural Resources Law micro-credential has been designed for anyone working, or interested in, the fields of environmental law, policy, or science. For example, those working in the legal sector, environmental consultants (including ecologists), environmental policy-makers and regulators at an EU level, and in central and local government, natural resource managers (e.g. Natura 2000 or national park managers/rangers), planners, and those working for environmental NGOs.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this micro-credential, you will:

• Have a good overview of a range of different areas of natural resources law at national, European, and international levels.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of the current state of the law and be able to engage in a high level of debate on developments and challenges when it comes to implementing the law.
• Be able to critically assess potential ways in which sectoral natural resources law might be changed to improve environmental protection.
• Have a good understanding of natural resources law in practice.

Due to the breadth of the field, several key substantive areas will be selected for particular focus during the course of your studies, for example:

• Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Law
• Air Law
• Water Law
• Industrial Licensing Law
• Waste Law
• Impact Assessment Law

Individuals and their employers will benefit by way of the knowledge and skills gained, allowing environmental law to be better applied and enforced in practice via those working in (or hoping to work in) the public, private, and NGO sectors. 

Taking this UCD micro-credential will give you the opportunity to learn from leading environmental law experts, with extensive experience in academia and in practice.

This micro-credential is delivered through the UCD online learning platform (Brightspace) and will consist of lectures/seminars, critical writing, and learner presentations. Students are encouraged to attend the lectures during the class times stated above. However, classes will be recorded for occasions where attending live is not possible. 

A repository of resources will be available to support your learning, and as a UCD student you will have full access to the library. 

This is a 10 ECTS micro-credential and involves approximately 200 hours of learner effort.

Applicants must hold a degree in law or another relevant discipline, including the social and natural sciences. An upper second-class honours Level 8 degree (GPA 3.08), or international equivalent is required.

Applications will also be accepted from those with significant, relevant, practical experience or those with a graduate qualification relevant to the micro-credential.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proof of English proficiency as per UCD's minimum English language requirements.

All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

• 3000 word essay – 70%

• Presentation – 30%

Written individual feedback will be provided for essays. Group feedback will be provided in class for presentations.

This micro-credential can be taken as a standalone course but also effectively layers on top of foundational knowledge that can be gained via another UCD micro-credential;  LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law. 

This micro-credential is also a module on the UCD Sutherland School of Law’s MSc Environmental & Climate Law programme.

If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.

Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application. 

Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3

The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only and in fixed numbers from March 2024 until October 2025.  

Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.