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Intellectual Property Law LLM

Part of: Law and Business and Management

Our Intellectual Property LLM is renowned for its dynamic and in-depth exploration of the law and policy relating to patents, copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights through global and comparative perspectives. Continuous new legal challenges arise not only in traditional practice but also in emerging technologies: including life sciences & bio-technological patenting, AI-generated creative industries, consumer branding and design video games, and NFTs.

  • The largest and most diverse IP programme in Europe with over 30+ modules
  • The only programme in Europe offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in practicing IP law through qLegal, our in-house pro bono clinic within CCLS. 
  • Led by distinguished team of IP professors who are recognised as leaders in the field. They regularly advise international organisations including UN bodies such as WIPO, UNCTAD and UNESCO, the European Commission, Patent Office and national IP offices worldwide. 
  • Be a part of Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI), which runs regular research seminars, events and networking opportunities with law firms and chambers.
  • Apply for a 12-month paid traineeship at the EUIPO or EPO under the Pan-European Seal Professional Traineeship programme. We are also part of the EU Intellectual Property Organisation’s Pan-European Seal Professional Traineeship programme offering valuable work experience.
  • The LLM in IP programme offers the J.A.L. Sterling Postgraduate Bursary Award of up to £6,000 towards tuition fees (available to both home and international students).

Watch a recording of our programme webinar with Professor Duncan Matthews on our YouTube channel.

Study options

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Fees
Home: £19,800
Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Apply nowRegister your interest

What you'll study

The Intellectual Property LLM offers you a foundational understanding of the contemporary global and comparative IP scene through modules such as Global IP Law, European Patent Law, European & United States Trademark Law, EU & US Design Law, International & Comparative Copyright Law, EU Digital Copyright Law, and International & Comparative Unfair Competition Law, Trade Secrets; together with a more in-depth exploration of new technologies and niche practices including: IP and the Creative Industries, Life Sciences, Interactive Entertainment, Software, Film, Music Industry Contracts, Fashion, E-sports, and Licensing.

You will develop key analytical and practical skills as you explore these areas, with a particular focus on developing analytical and practice-orientated research skills.

We only allow one application from our range of LLM programmes so please ensure you apply for your main programme of interest. Please note you can request to change programme at offer stage via your MYSIS admissions portal and also request this after enrolment via the School of Law Taught Programme office.

Join the Queen Mary Network and speak to our community about this programme.

Structure

You will need to complete 180 credits in total.

Full year programme:

  • 180 credits of taught modules (this can include a 30 credits elective dissertation)

Please see the academic year plan for an idea of the structure of the full-time programme and key periods of assessment.

You can also choose to complete your SQE Preparation alongside this LLM which is available for both full-time and part-time study. Find out more

Master Journey Webinars

Master Journey Webinars

Your Masters Journey Webinars: Join our engaging webinar series designed to guide you through every step of your masters journey.

Register now

Modules

View the full list of modules available on this programme.

Assessment

  • You will be assessed by a range of methods combining examinations and coursework which will be fully explained in your student pack available during induction.
  • For any elective dissertation, you will undertake self-directed research and writing with the support of an allocated supervisor.

FAQs

Read our FAQs for more information about applying to us.

Christos Sakellaropoulos, Intellectual Property Law LLM (2022). Read more testimonials from our alumni and students of the Intellectual Property Law LLM.

My choice of modules ranged from research-led courses in film and video game law to more practical ones, like IP licensing and commercialisation. Even more interesting was the fact that I could develop my knowledge and commercial acumen both in such specific legal areas mentioned and in IP law in general.

—

Christos Sakellaropoulos, Intellectual Property Law LLM (2022). Read more testimonials from our alumni and students of the Intellectual Property Law LLM.

Teaching

You will be taught by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations and group exercises as well as open discussion.

You will have a team of advisers to support you, including the LLM and Programme Academic Directors, your module convenors and, for an elective dissertation, your dissertation supervisor.

Where you'll learn

Facilities

  • Free access to online databases and collections including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, Eur-lex, Hein-Online and many more
  • The Postgraduate School of Law Centre in Lincoln's Inn Fields and the Graduate Centre at Mile End
  • Queen Mary’s excellent Law Library and European Documentation Centre
  • Access to the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and the Library at Senate House

Campus

Teaching is primarily based at the School of Law's postgraduate centre, the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), located in Lincoln's Inn Fields. This area is home to numerous barristers’ chambers and law firms and is a short walk from the Royal Courts of Justice. Our academics and students interact with leading legal professionals, many of whom regularly teach and take part in our seminars and conferences.

Depending on the modules you choose, you may also have classes at the Mile End Campus or at one of the Queen Mary central campus locations (Charterhouse Square or West Smithfield).

Administration for this programme is based at Lincoln's Inn fields.

About the School

The School of Law

The School of Law is part of Queen Mary University of London, a member of both the University of London and the Russell Group. The School was ranked 7th in the UK and 32nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, and 10th in the UK and 50th in world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject.

The School of Law has consistently been ranked in the top 10 law schools in the UK for the quality of our research and teaching, and many of our internationally recognised staff act as advisers to governments, industry and NGOs, both nationally and internationally.

The School's central focus is on the role of law and its institutions in contemporary international society. The School of Law is divided into two organisational units: the Department of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). The School of Law hosts the largest and most diverse LLM programme in the UK.

 

Contact us

School of Law

Career paths

There is a very high rate of employment of our students within six months of graduation. We have specialist career advisers who organise events and assist with finding internship opportunities at UK and international law firms and other employers.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to work as:

  • Director General of International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies.
  • IP lawyers in firms such as Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Sullivan LLP, PwC and Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh Advocaten.
  • in-house counsel for companies such as Diageo and Daimler AG.

After graduating from Queen Mary, you join our network of alumni from over 100 countries, and get access to exclusive benefits and networking opportunities.

  • 96% of our graduates are in full time employment/further study 15 months after graduation - Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21

Volunteering with qLegal... was a perfect opportunity for me to meet people across my specialism and collaborate to educate the public on legal matters in IP law for business development. The team at qLegal delivered trainings to equip us with the right skills and this has been useful for my professional development.

—

Azeezat Periola, Intellectual Property Law LLM (2022). Read testimonials from students and alumni on the Intellectual Property Law LLM.

Fees and funding

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Full-time study

January 2026 | 1 year

Unconditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Full-time study

January 2026 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award

Funding

There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.

School of Law scholarships

The School of Law offers a range of scholarships for Law Masters programmes each year. Full details are made available on the law funding page from October – November each year.

Other sources of funding

Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:

Entry requirements

UK

Degree requirements

A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Law or a degree with substantial law content.

Law graduates with a 2:2 honours degree who also have other legal qualifications and/or substantial professional legal experience may also qualify.

Other routes

Non-law graduates with a minimum second class honours degree, that have also obtained a Merit (or 60 per cent) in the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) recognised by the UK professional bodies, may also qualify. Non-law graduates may also be considered on the basis of exceptional professional experience (of at least five years) in a legal area or an area directly related to their programme of study.

Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.

International

English language requirements

All postgraduate programmes in this school have non-standard English language requirements.

For the English language requirements for this course, see programmes with non-standard English language requirements .

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa.

Contact

School of Law

Postgraduate Admissions

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