New bursary opportunity for UCL LLM students specialising in Intellectual Property Law

The UCL Faculty of Laws is delighted to share details of the J.A.L. Sterling Postgraduate Bursary in Copyright Law — a prestigious award supporting students joining the LLM in Intellectual Property Law for the 2025–26 academic year.

This bursary, worth up to £9,000, is part of a joint initiative between the British Literary and Artistic Copyright Association (BLACA) and The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. It aims to support talented students dedicated to copyright law and its role in shaping creative and content industries.

About the bursary

Award amount: 

• Up to £9,000 as a contribution towards tuition fees

Eligibility:

• Students enrolling in 2025–26 on the LLM in Intellectual Property Law at UCL
• The bursary is part of a broader award scheme also open to students at:
  • Queen Mary University of London (LLM in Intellectual Property Law
  • King’s College London (LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law or MA in UK, EU and US Copyright Law)
• Must be a resident in the UK and classified as paying UK tuition fees
• Must take at least 90 credits in copyright-focused modules, such as Law of Copyright and Related Rights and a research essay on a copyright law topic.

Selection criteria: 

• Academic merit, financial need, and motivation to engage with the field and wider professional community

Professional networks and mentorship

Award recipients also gain:

• Membership of BLACA’s student network, with opportunities to attend talks and events
• Invitation to Stationers’ Company events during the LLM year, and the Freedom of the Company upon completion of the programme (with membership fees waived for the first three years)
• Access to a mentor from the legal profession or copyright industry, offering guidance on copyright law practice

How to apply

Applicants must:

• Hold an unconditional offer to the UCL LLM in Intellectual Property Law

• File

  bursary_application-form-2025_2c46_-_final.docx

• The information required by the form includes CV information, evidence of financial need (examples are given) and a short statement of motivation (maximum 600 words).
• Submit applications to: Dr Alina Trapova, a.trapova@ucl.ac.uk and Jane Ha, llm-admissions@ucl.ac.uk by midnight BST, 15 August 2025.
  Please use the title: “BLACA–Stationers Bursary”.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in September 2025 (remote or in person in London).

Intellectual Property Law at UCL

UCL Laws’ LLM in Intellectual Property Law offers one of the most comprehensive and forward-looking programmes in the field, at one of the world’s top law schools.

Students will explore how the law protects creativity, innovation, and digital content, studying key areas like copyright and patents as well as emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, software, and design rights. They can also apply for professional traineeships at leading European organisations that shape IP law across the region.

Find out more

• BLACA bursary page for more information about the bursary and eligibility requirements
• UCL Laws LLM specialisms page for details on the UCL LLM in Intellectual Property Law specialism
• UCL Laws Scholarships page for more information on scholarships and funding across our faculty