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Intellectual Property Law (IP Reg) PGCert

The Intellectual Property Law Postgraduate Certificate is exclusively designed for trainee Patent and Trade Mark attorneys. The programme allows you to study introductory and advanced intellectual property (IP) Law, technology and practice as well as become acquainted with the policies affecting these laws under the guidance of leading scholars and practitioners in the field.

  • Study at a top UK law school
  • Gain professional accreditation from the Intellectual Property Regulation Board
  • Be a part of Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI), which runs regular research discussions, seminars and annual events
  • Get taught by internationally acclaimed academics and practitioners in the field of intellectual property law
  • Dedicated law careers advisers who organise events and internship opportunities with top UK and international law firms
  • A full-time, 13-week programme, which runs from first week September to mid-December (with the assessment/examination period in January)

Application deadline

  • Overseas applicants deadline - 18 August 2025
  • Home application deadline - 21 August 2025

Study options

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Fees
Home: £10,500
Overseas: £10,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students

What you'll study

The PGCert is an intensive 13-week programme designed exclusively for trainee patent and/or trade mark attorneys. 

Trainees who successfully complete this programme will gain professional accreditation from the Intellectual Property Regulation Board.

Intellectual property law has become an interdisciplinary field comprised of law, engineering, medical science, economics, and numerous other fields. This PGCert focuses on many of the practical aspects of patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. Lectures delivered by highly acclaimed patent and trade mark practitioners will complement the in-depth academic treatment of the subject matter.

The objective of this programme is to provide you with a broad and holistic perspective of intellectual property law and offer you a balanced appreciation of the wider range of matters which modern intellectual property practice involves, which will inform your future practice.

This course is accredited by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg), the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) and is recognised as a foundation exempting programme by these organisations.

Structure

This Certificate programme commences in early September and is taught over one semester.

Teaching starts on in September with a one-week intensive course covering the Fundamentals of English law and Professional Ethics. This is taught Monday-Thursday usually with two classes per day. Weekly lectures commence the week after.

Teaching runs over one semester and contains 4 compulsory modules. Teaching is usually on 3 set days a week.

Legal Background Exemption Route

Students can apply for a module exemption in respect to following module under the criteria set out below.

IPLC134 Fundamentals of Law and Professional Ethics

To qualify students must have, within the last 5 calendar years-January 2020 onwards-, obtained a Law Degree (LLB min 2:2) awarded by a UK Higher Education Institute, or a law qualification recognised by the Law Society or the Law Society of Scotland for the purposes of practicing as a solicitor in England and Wales or in Scotland (LPC/GDL etc).

Students with agreed exemption will not have to attend the Law element of the module but will still be required to attend the Professional Ethics element and the assessment for this part of the module.

For an application form, please contact: pglaw-enquiries@qmul.ac.uk.

The closing date for the receipt of completed applications and evidence is Friday 1 August 2025. Please note that no applications will be accepted after this deadline.

The total fee for the Certificate will be reduced should the exemption be granted. For 2024 the fee reduction was £1,500 (this is subject to change for 2025 entry).

If you require further information, please contact: pglaw-enquiries@qmul.ac.uk.

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

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Modules

Assessment

You will be assessed by a range of methods which will be fully explained in your student pack available during the induction activities.

All taught modules will be assessed in the January exam period.

Exact assessment information for each module will be explained in your induction pack.

View the Intellectual Property Specialist Programmes - exams dates and related details [PDF 292KB].

FAQs

Read our FAQs for more information about applying to us.

Teaching

You will be taught by distinguished lecturers and practitioners within the field of intellectual property. Working with these experienced professionals will enhance both your skills and your professional network.

Teaching will be delivered through a mixture of formal lectures and occasional tutorials. The tutorials are designed to generate informed discussions around set topics, and may involve student reviewing past exam questions and group exercises as well as open discussions.

Apart from the module convenors, a team of staff members will be available to assist you with your queries.

Where you'll learn

Facilities

  • 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
  • Free access to online databases and collections including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Justis, Eur-lex, Hein-Online and many more
  • Access to the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and the Library at Senate House

Campus

Your module teaching will be at one of the Queen Mary central campus locations: Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Charterhouse Square or West Smithfield.

Administration of the programme is primarily based at the School of Law's postgraduate office on the third floor of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), located in 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.

Fees and funding

Full-time study

September 2025 | 4 months

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

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 2.2 or above at undergraduate level in any subject

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.

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