University of Tromsø

What you'll study

This two-year master-level programme combines advanced courses in public international law and specialised subjects addressing the law governing oceans, coasts and polar regions. Teaching covers legal frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), principles of coastal state jurisdiction, maritime boundary delimitation, and the law applicable to the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.

• Core topics: UNCLOS and the legal regime of the sea; maritime zones; continental shelf and seabed rights; dispute settlement and international adjudication.
• Specialist modules: fisheries law and management; marine environmental protection; offshore petroleum and mineral resource law; shipping and maritime safety; marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
• Regional and thematic studies: Arctic and polar law, coastal zone management, marine spatial planning, indigenous rights and coastal communities, and the intersection of climate change and ocean governance.
• Research training: legal research methods, comparative analysis, and a substantial independent master’s thesis that develops original legal analysis on a law-of-the-sea topic.

Courses are delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies and supervised research. Students engage with contemporary issues such as marine biodiversity conservation, deep-sea mining, fisheries management, and legal responses to sea-level rise and changing Arctic access.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a first degree in law (LL.B, cand.jur. or equivalent). Candidates with another relevant degree accompanied by significant legal training or professional experience in maritime, environmental or international law may be considered. Admission typically requires certified academic transcripts and a statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s interest and proposed area of thesis research.

• Language proficiency: Proof of English proficiency is required if your prior degree is not from an English-instructed programme (tests such as IELTS or TOEFL are commonly accepted).
• Supporting documents: academic references, a CV, and where applicable documentation of professional experience in law, maritime industries, public administration or NGOs.
• Academic performance: demonstrated ability to undertake graduate-level legal research and writing is expected.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with specialised legal knowledge applicable to a broad range of maritime and ocean governance roles. Career paths commonly pursued include positions in national and regional government agencies responsible for fisheries, maritime affairs, offshore licensing and environmental protection; roles in international organisations and treaty bodies; and advisory or advocacy posts in non-governmental organisations focused on ocean policy and conservation.

• Legal adviser or counsel in ministries, maritime authorities and regulatory agencies
• Specialist roles in international organisations, intergovernmental bodies and arbitration tribunals dealing with maritime disputes
• Private-sector roles in shipping, offshore energy, marine minerals and insurance, including compliance and regulatory affairs
• Research and academic careers focused on ocean law, polar law and environmental governance
• Policy analyst or consultant for NGOs and think tanks working on fisheries, biodiversity and climate-related ocean issues

Why study at University of Tromsø

The University of Tromsø (UiT) is strategically located in the Arctic, offering direct access to the legal, scientific and industry issues that shape contemporary ocean governance. The Faculty of Law has established expertise in maritime and polar law, allowing students to study subjects grounded in the realities of northern fisheries, offshore operations and Arctic geopolitics.

• Proximity to Arctic research communities and regional stakeholders provides opportunities for applied projects and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Small seminar groups and supervision ensure focused support for thesis work and specialised study.
• The programme’s mix of international law and regional emphasis prepares graduates to operate in both national regulatory environments and international fora.

Overall, the programme is well suited for those seeking a rigorous, practice-oriented legal education in matters that increasingly define global ocean governance and Arctic policy.