MSc Management of Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property Law has become an interdisciplinary field comprised of law, engineering, medical science, economics, and numerous other fields. The MSc in Management of Intellectual Property explores the foundations of this area of law with relation to patents, trade marks and the other core areas within this field.

This Masters of Science is primarily aimed at science and engineering graduates who wish to pursue a career as patent or trade mark attorneys, though it is also open to graduates from all academic backgrounds who wish to study Intellectual Property (IP) at postgraduate level.

There is continued need for expertise in intellectual property law and management in industry, commerce and the innovative and creative industries, and this MSc gives you the opportunity to study IP to a high level. The programme offers a professional stream (for science and technology graduates), and a business stream, available to graduates from all fields looking to expand their knowledge of the application and management of IP.

_{Professional stream}

The professional stream is directed towards graduates (primarily sciences and other technical industries, but also from all other backgrounds) seeking qualification as patent and trade mark attorneys.

_{Business stream}

Students on the business stream will gain profound knowledge of the law and its operation with a view to working in areas such as the press and media, the entertainment industry, the internet and software industries, or the luxury goods industries. Further sectors where knowledge in Intellectual Property and related areas is seen as a particular advantage include governments, international organisations, universities or non-governmental institutions.

_{This programme will:}

◦Give you a choice of two streams to suit your background; a professional stream for science and engineering graduates, and a business stream for graduates of other disciplines.

◦Offer science and engineering graduates the opportunity to gain professional exemptions from Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA).

Structure

MSc Management of Intellectual Property is available to study full-time for one year or part-time over two years. Classes usually start in September with examinations in May or June. Your classes will be held at Queen Mary’s Charterhouse Square and Lincoln’s Inn Fields campuses.

There is an initial basic English law examination, which takes place two weeks after the start of the programme, and then you select your course stream.

_{Compulsory modules}

• Study project (45 credits)
• Basic principles of English law, evidence and practice (non-credit bearing but all students must pass this module at the start of the programme)

All students require 180 credits in total.

Professional stream students have core modules plus one free choice half module of 22.5 credits. In addition to this, professional stream students also sit two additional papers to gain exemption from the foundation papers of CIPA and ITMA, both papers must be passed to gain the exemption for either institution.

Business stream students have a free choice of 135 credits (three full modules or six half modules, or a combination of the two.)

All students are required to study the core subject units: Patent law, Copyright and designs law, Law of trade marks and unfair competition, Competition law, and Basic principles of English law, evidence and practice in term one. Occasional additional second semester options may be available.

_Modules

Modules which run annually:

• IPLM033 The law of copyright and design I (Compulsory for Professional stream)
• IPLM041 The law of patents I and II (Compulsory for Professional stream)
• IPLM044 Trade mark law I and II (Compulsory for Professional Stream
• IPLM027 Study Project (Core Module for all students)
• IPLM039 Media law
• IPLM043 Trade mark law I
• IPLM040 The law of patents I
• IPLM028 Basic Principles of English Law.

Modules which may run but cannot be guaranteed (subject to numbers):

• The law of competition I
• Intellectual property in food, biotechnology and agriculture
• Intellectual property in the United States.
• Interactive Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law
• The Law of Geographical Indications
• Interactive Entertainment Law: Contracts and Regulation
• Licensing Intellectual Property
• EU Copyright Law.

Learning and Teaching

As a student at Queen Mary, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. Teaching is 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, group exercise and role-play as well as open discussion. We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.

_Assessment

You will be assessed by examination and dissertation. You will take a three-hour and 15-minute paper for each full core option, (for example Copyright and designs law I and II) and a two-hour and 15-minute paper for each half option, (if half options are run).

Closed book examinations operate for all programmes. Students intending to be Patent Attorneys are offered the chance to undertake additional special papers, (Professional Stream only). Those who opt to undertake these exams gain exemption from the CIPA Joint Examination Board foundation-level exams and also gain a pass in the additional Certificate of Intellectual Property Law.

Fees

_{Tuition fees for Home and EU students}

2019/20 Academic Year

Full time £9,150

Part time £4,575

_{Tuition fees for International students}

2019/20 Academic Year

Full time £15,200

Part time £7,600

Funding

_{School of Law scholarships}

The School of Law offers a range of scholarships for Law Masters programmes each year.

Visit the MSc Management of Intellectual Property page on the Queen Mary University of London website for more details!