Master in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law

  • About the programme
  • Programme structure
  • Entry requirements
  • Tuition fees & scholarships

•    Programme duration: 2 years
•    Delivery language: English
•    Degree awarded: Master in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law
•    Accreditation: The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité.
•    Admission deadline: TBA

The Master in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law (SEEL) is a master’s diploma with two degrees encompassing environmental engineering, geography sciences and environmental law. Its objective is to enable students to acquire comprehensive multidisciplinary skills, both theoretical and practical. These are further enhanced by learning methodologies and practical skills (research training, complex project management).

The Master SEEL program provides student with a unique and comprehensive approach to tackling environmental challenges. It empowers them to identify sustainable management strategies for ecosystems and resources conservation, such as energy, water, food, biodiversity, while understanding their integration within legal frameworks. This program offers an in-depth analysis of the intricate relationship between humans and the environment, from both legal and spatial perspectives, preparing students to become leaders in the field of environmental sustainability.

The program offers a multidisciplinary approach on the management of environments complemented by practical and applied courses. Students not only develop detailed analytical skills about the environmental impact of global business and socio-economic forces, but they are also encouraged to actively participate in projects, workshops, and maintain constant dialogue with faculty and regional or international experts to explore the most effective strategies to respond to various sustainability challenges in the UAE, GCC and on the international level.

Students will also learn how to process with big data management, environmental monitoring and interpret data using advanced GIS methods and techniques. Upon completion of this Master’s program, students will be capable of mastering the processes involved in the development of norms and public policies, analyzing in-depth contemporary issues related to sustainable development through the implementation of existing legal frameworks, and transferring legal reasoning to other fields of study or environmental issues.

Throughout this program, future leaders in environmental sustainability have the opportunity to maximize their skills and career potential, to complement the UAE’s rapid and ambitious progress.

The courses are delivered by Sorbonne University and University Paris Cité professors and well-known professionals and visiting lecturers experts in their fields. Courses are generally interactive and every professor provides additional materials to aid learning. This master’s program is supported by the Departments of Geography and Planning, and, Law, Economics and Management.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

  • Model relationships between environmental components and processes highlighting the effect of anthropogenic factors.
  • Use the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the environment.
  • Analyze the contemporary environmental issues and challenges in the UAE, the region and around the world.
  • Create problem-solving skills using innovative artificial intelligence-based methods.
  • Develop contextual and effective solutions to restore and conserve the environment using approaches drawn from various sciences such as Policy, Law, and Environmental engineering.
  • Potential to conduct scientific research in the framework of a Master Thesis.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master SEEL programme will be equipped to explore opportunities in government resources management, regulatory agencies, nature conservation organizations, and across various industries such as chemicals, engineering, logistics, and transportation. They will have many career prospects, including roles as Environmental Scientists or Specialists, Environmental Compliance Officers, Environmental Engineers, Sustainability Consultants, Environmental Legal Experts, Waste Management Officers, Renewable Energy Analysts, Water quality Scientists, Environmental Auditors, and Environmental Researchers.

Typical delivery format of the courses*
M1 (Semesters 1 & 2) and M2 (semester 3)

Day Evening
Monday 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Tuesday 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Thursday 4:30pm – 8:30pm

*This is the usual pattern of the courses, changes may sometimes occur.

Semester 1

Principles of Environmental Engineering

  • Environmental Data Science and Analytics (25 contact hours)
  • Sustainable Water Management and Sanitation (20 contact hours)
  • Location Intelligence for Environmental Engineering (10 contact hours)

Understanding the Policy-Making Process

  • International Environmental Law (20 contact hours)
  • Sustainable Development: Politics and Policies (20 contact hours)
  • Environmental Policies and Economics (20 contact hours)

Sustainability in practice

  • Sustainable Cities and Communities (20 contact hours)

Practical Skills

  • Project Management (5 contact hours)

Semester 2

Environmental and Resources Management

  • Environmental Monitoring and Modeling (25 contact hours)
  • Landscape Evolution under Climate Change (10 contact hours)
  • Sustainable Agriculture Towards Food Security (10 contact hours)
  • Coastal Management (25 contact hours)

Critical Issues in Sustainability

  • Water Law and Natural Resources Management (20 contact hours)
  • Climate Change Action (20 contact hours)
  • Biodiversity Law (10 contact hours)
  • Legal Aspects of Food Security (10 contact hours)

Integrated Approach to Crisis Management

  • Environmental Mobility (10 contact hours)

Professional Skills

  • Project Management (5 contact hours)

Semester 3

Artificial Intelligence applied to Environmental Engineering

  • Big data and AI for Environmental Engineering (15 contact hours)

Environmental Accountability

  • Environmental Law and Human Rights (10 contact hours)
  • Environmental Litigation (10 contact hours)
  • Corporate, Environment and Social Responsibility (10 contact hours)

Transversal Perspectives

  • Energy Transition: Strategies and Policies (20 contact hours)

Fundamentals of Research

  • Research Methodology for Internship Report and Thesis (15 contact hours)

Semester 4

Research Project in Sustainable Environmental Engineering and Law

  • Thesis or Internship report
  • Bachelor in a relevant field with a CGPA of 3 out of 4 or equivalent.
    Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 (or equivalent scores as per the equivalency table) may be conditionally admitted under probation during the first semester. The student will be authorized to continue in the program only if they secure an average of at least 12 out of 20 which is obtained by the end of the first semester. The decision is based on academic performance and will be made official after the completion of the first semester
    or Bachelor with minimum of 2nd class honours
    or Bachelor with an average of 12 out of 20
    • Bachelor students with a GPA below 3 may be admitted on the ground of their professional and/or personal experience, in case they are granted a VAPP by SU’s or UP’s VAPP commission
  • IELTS certificate with minimum overall band of 6.0 with a validity of 2 years or TOEFL certificate with minimum score of 79 (or equivalent) with a validity of 2 years or Minimum EmSAT English score of 1400 with a validity of 18 months or, Native English speaker who completed 3 full years in an English-medium institution within a maximum period of 3 years

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview to assess the candidate’s motivation, career expectations and relevant professional experience in the degree area.

Applicants who earned their undergraduate degrees from universities outside the UAE must present a Certificate of Equivalency for their graduation certificates from the UAE Ministry of Education. Applicants, who are holders of undergraduate degrees issued by a licensed higher education institution in the UAE, are required to submit a copy of their degrees attested by the UAE Ministry of Education. For details on requirements, kindly visit the Ministry’s website: Ministry of Education.

•    Programme tuition fees (over 2 years):
 		AED 166,400 (approximately US$ 45,344)
•    Payment of fees:
 		Click here

Preferential rates

20% Alumni preferential rate

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi alumni are eligible to a 20% waiver on tuition fee.

25% preferential rate upon enrolment on a second master’s degree

Applicants holding a master degree from SUAD and enrolling for a second master degree at SUAD are entitled to a 25% waiver on tuition.

5%-15% corporate rate

Companies and organizations benefit from a special discount, based on the number of employees enrolling in programmes. For more details, please contact +971(0) 2-6569311

10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programmes are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

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