The polar law program is designed primarily as a master´s level program. Therefore, with a few specific exceptions, a B.A. degree (or comparable university degree) is required in order to enter the program.
1. An M.A. degree in Polar Law will be offered. Students must complete 120 course credits (ECTS) in the polar law program and submit a 15-credit M.A. research thesis. The minimum time for completing the M.A. degree is 24 months. A previously completed B.A. degree (or comparable university degree) is an absolute prerequisite for M.A. degree studies in polar law. In addition, those entering the program must already have a basic knowledge of international law and human rights law.
2. An LL.M. degree in Polar Law will be offered. For the LL.M., students must complete 60 course credits (ECTS) in the polar law program, for a one year program of study. A previously completed professional law degree is an prerequisite for LL. M. degree studies in polar law. It is assumed that those entering the program will already have acquired a basic knowledge of international law and human rights law in the course of their legal studies.
3. A student who completes a 180-credit B.A. program in one of the subject areas offered in the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at the University of Akureyri may take an additional 30 credits in polar law and may then graduate with a 240-credit B.A. (hons.) degree in his or her major subject with a minior in polar law. In order to enter polar law as a minior subject, students must already have a basic knowledge of international law and human rights law.
4. Those who have not completed a university degree may take 60 course credits in the polar law program for a Diploma in Polar Law. Applicants will be individually assessed to determine wheter they have sufficient preparation for this program. To enter Diploma studies in polar law, students must already have a basic knowledge of international law and human rights law.
5. Exchange students from other schools (for instance, students enrolled at the University of the Arctic) may take individual courses (one or more) in the polar law program as part of their home-school study programs. Exchange students will be individually assessed to determine whether they have sufficient preparation for the courses that they intend to take.
6 Individuals working in various agencies or institutes may take individual courses (one or more) in the polar law program as continuing-education courses (for which there is a fee). Such students will be individually assessed to determine whether they have sufficient preparation for the courses that they intend to take.
Pre-preparation: A preparatory course in international law and human rights law, taught in August each year, is to be offered for those who have insufficient background in these subjects. This will very likely be offered only as a continuing-education course, which is funded by tuition fees.
Teaching in polar law will begin in the fall 2008.
