How long does the LLM in Intellectual Property Law take?

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Distance-learning students on the LLM in Intellectual Property Law usually complete over the two-year part-time schedule alongside practice.

Is the LLM available online?

Yes. The LLM in Intellectual Property Law is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes include the dissertation.

Does the LLM qualify me as a solicitor or patent attorney?

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law is a strong academic and practice-informed foundation. Solicitor qualification still requires the SQE, and patent-attorney qualification remains via the CIPA route separately.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a UK Bachelor's in law (2:2 or above) or an equivalent international law qualification, plus IELTS 6.5 where relevant. Senior practitioners without a Bachelor's may apply on portfolio for the LLM in Intellectual Property Law.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the LLM in Intellectual Property Law vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and postgraduate loan guidance are handled by the admissions team on request.

LLM in Intellectual Property Law | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree running one year full-time or two years part-time across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme covers patents, trade marks, designs, copyright, database rights, trade secrets and technology-transaction work, drawing on Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and Patents Court practice and referencing the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board competence frameworks.

By graduation, students on the LLM in Intellectual Property Law are producing appellate-standard case notes on IP authorities, drafting licensing and collaboration agreements to senior-practice standard, preparing patent-litigation strategy notes, and completing a substantial dissertation on a live IP-reform question.

Key Features

Doctrinal and practical modules mapped to Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board competence areas.
Case teaching on Supreme Court and Patents Court authorities on patent scope and validity.
Guest sessions from IP solicitors, patent attorneys, barristers and in-house counsel.
Advanced drafting seminars on licensing, R&D collaboration and technology-transfer agreements.
Dissertation supervision by tutors active in IP practice or scholarship.
Small cohort model with named programme tutor for every student on the LLM in Intellectual Property Law.

What You Will Learn

Analyse patent claim construction, validity and infringement in UK courts.
Handle trade-mark opposition, invalidity and infringement actions.
Advise on copyright, database rights and moral rights in creative industries.
Draft licensing, R&D collaboration and technology-transfer agreements.
Handle trade-secret and confidentiality claims.
Advise on IP aspects of competition law and technology transactions.
Prepare litigation strategy for the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
Design an IP dissertation project with a defensible methodology.

Who This Course Is For

IP solicitors, barristers and patent attorneys extending doctrinal depth.
Legal executives on the CILEX IP progression route.
In-house counsel at tech, pharma, publishing and media businesses.
International lawyers seeking a UK Master's in IP and technology law.
Senior product, R&D or licensing managers with legal responsibility.

Career Pathways

Senior IP Solicitor in a specialist City or regional practice.
IP Barrister on the Patents Court and IPEC circuit.
In-house Counsel at a tech, pharma or media business.
Contract Lawyer on licensing and R&D collaboration.
Compliance Officer on IP and technology risk.
Legal Adviser to a research institution or creative rights body.
Legal Analyst on IP policy reform.

The LSLPE careers service works with every LLM in Intellectual Property Law student on senior applications to IP chambers, City IP practices and in-house tech counsel routes.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) in law, or an equivalent international law qualification, for the LLM in Intellectual Property Law.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a law degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in IP management, licensing or R&D contracting are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal on the intended dissertation theme.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads IP law as a discipline that sits at a live intersection of legal doctrine, technology strategy and economic incentive. Central London places specialist IP chambers, the Patents Court, IPEC and the UK Intellectual Property Office within reach, and every LLM cohort is taught in the small select-committee format that defines the school.

Three parallel study modes allow practising counsel, in-house lawyers, patent attorneys and international applicants to complete the LLM in Intellectual Property Law without stepping away from case-loads. Dissertation supervision draws on practising IP counsel and senior in-house lawyers.

Apply for LLM in Intellectual Property Law

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising IP counsel. Apply for the LLM at LSLPE. Enrol Now.