Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Lincoln's Inn Fields
- Fees
- Home: £19,800
Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
Intellectual Property Law is an interdisciplinary field. This MSc explores the foundations of intellectual property law with relation to patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and more under domestic law as well as under international and European laws.
The core modules cover the basic elements of each of the most relevant IP rights (patents, trade marks, designs, copyright), such as how rights are obtained, how they are infringed, defended and/or licensed. You will acquire knowledge with regard to preconditions for protection, the scope of exclusive rights, and specific exceptions and defences to infringement. Each module will also introduce you to the international and European legal framework governing specific rights, for example as regards international conventions (such as the European Patent Convention) or EU trade mark and design rights. In addition, the programme features a unique module introducing you to the IP system in the United States.
You will acquire practical insight into the commercial aspects and day-to-day business of being a patent and trade mark attorney or litigator, while developing a strong understanding of the academic knowledge needed to apply the law.
You’ll also have the opportunity to gain foundation level accreditation with the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg), Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys (CITMA).
You’ll gain an advanced and in-depth knowledge of intellectual property law and management with regard to all aspects of business and legal practice.
In addition, you have the opportunity to apply for a one year paid internship under the Pan-European SEAL program either with the EUIPO or the EPO. You must be a national of one of the EPO member states to be accepted to the EPO.
We are also offering the Herchel Smith Scholarship of two Full tuition fee waivers.
Structure
This MSc programme commences in early September and is taught over two semesters (first week of September-late March). All modules on this programme, which will be taught in the first 2 semesters, are compulsory including a compulsory research component (study project) which will run in the third semester.
Teaching starts in September with the 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 will commence the week after.
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.
Modules
View the full list of modules on this programme. View the draft timetable for the draft teaching timetable for the Management of Intellectual Property Law MSc 2024-25 academic year [PDF 362KB].
Assessment
You will be assessed by a range of methods which will be fully explained in your student pack available during induction
- For modules taught in Semester 1 you will be assessed in the January exam period.
- For modules taught in Semester 2 you will be assessed in the Summer exam period.
- Competition Law (0 credits) is not examined but attendance is compulsory
- The study project is assessed on the basis of a joint research report and oral presentation, to be submitted by late August.
Exact assessment information for each module will be explained in your induction pack and during the induction activities and lectures.
View the Intellectual Property Specialist Programmes - exams dates and related details [PDF 292KB].
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.
—The course was intensive but well planned and thoroughly enjoyable and set me on my way to a career that I love and one that I had not considered prior to embarking on the MSc at Queen Mary.
Charlotte Duly, MSc in Management of Intellectual Property
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 based at the School of Law's postgraduate centre and 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 Charterhouse Square or West Smithfield campuses.
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.
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.
- 96% of our graduates are in full time employment/further study 15 months after graduation - Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £19,800
- Overseas: £31,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £9,900
- Overseas: £15,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
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
Other sources of funding
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
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.