LLM in Intellectual Property Law
Build specialist expertise in the legal frameworks protecting innovation—from patents and trademarks to copyright and digital rights—with our Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property Law.
Overview
Intellectual Property (IP) law is a rapidly evolving field and a highly sought after specialisation. We offer one of the most comprehensive LLM programmes in Intellectual Property Law. Our programme delves into the legal frameworks that safeguard intellectual creations and provides advanced knowledge on a wide array of IP frameworks in both domestic and international settings.
We ensure that our students gain a deep understanding of IP law and policy, preparing them for diverse and rewarding career opportunities.
Apply for the Master of Laws (LLM)
Applications are now open via the UCL Prospective Students page. The page also includes details about tuition fees and any extra costs.
Apply nowRegister for our in-person open day
Join our in-person event on 11 March to learn more about the programme, specialist pathways, career prospects, modules, and how to apply.
Sign upHighlights
- Complete your LLM degree in 10 months full-time, gaining a head start in the industry.
- Located in legal London, offering unique access to the UK’s government, legal, and financial communities.
- Gain practical skills with pro-bono opportunities at the Centre for Access to Justice, allowing you to provide legal advice to the local community.
- Enhance your skills and knowledge through mooting and debating competitions.
- Access specialist career support from our in-house Careers Consultant.
- Be a part of our global student community and take advantage of our unrivalled Graduate Law Society which delivers an outstanding programme of activities and events each term.
- Benefit from our link with our Faculty’s Institute of Brand and Innovation Law (IBIL) which convenes public events and lectures which students can attend for free.
Why choose this programme?
Our specialism covers IP law in depth and consider the theories and justifications surrounding it. You will learn from specialists in this field who bring cutting edge research to the forefront of our modules, ensuring that students are learning and engaging with current issues and controversies.
UCL is one of only a few UK universities to belong to the prestigious Pan-European Seal (PES) Professional Traineeship Programme – a partnership with Europe’s leading Intellectual Property (IP) organisations: the European Patent Office (EPO) and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Students who have completed the IP Law LLM at UCL are eligible to apply for a 12-month paid traineeship at either the EUIPO or the EPO after they graduate.
Who should apply?
This programme is designed for law graduates looking to practice IP Law or use it for a wide variety of careers. We attract a diverse range students with many interests. Some of our students have completed an IP module as part of their undergraduate studies and are looking to develop a deeper understanding of a subject that they particularly enjoyed. Others, coming to the subject for the first time, want to develop their expertise in this field to enhance their future career prospects. Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements to find out the exact requirements for this programme.
Essential information for applicants
LLM Applying and Entry Requirements
Our entry requirements and guidance to help you successfully complete your LLM application.
Postgraduate scholarships and funding
UCL Laws offers a range of scholarships to support students on both our Master's programmes, including awards based on academic excellence, financial need, and widening access
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about studying an LLM programme with us.
Offer holders
From meeting your conditions, to accepting your offer and choosing your modules, you can find lots of information to help you prepare for life at UCL Laws in this section for LLM offer-holders
Programme structure
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, and tutorials. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly in seminars and tutorials.
Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations, output for audience or group projects.
During the programme, you will research and write a 9000 word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.
There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Laws Graduate Law Society. During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM programme. In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes. You will be asked to indicate your Research Essay topic in October and you will be allocated an RE advisor who provides guidance on choosing the topic and researching and writing the essay.
Term threeYour assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two. During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.
You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
Your degree will be completed over two academic years In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules. In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay. You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree. You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years). We will prompt you to select modules each year.
Master of Laws (LLM) – Modules
Explore the full list of modules for the UCL Master of Laws (LLM) programme for the 2026/27 academic year, including core and specialist pathway modules across all LLM specialisms.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees and support
You can find full details about tuition fees for both UK and international students on the UCL Prospectus for this programme. This includes information on any additional study-related costs you may need to budget for.
For guidance on paying your fees, budgeting tips, and support with financial planning while you study, head over to managing your money on the UCL website.
Scholarships and external funding
UCL Laws offers various scholarships for LLM students based on academic merit, financial need, and widening access, including new awards as part of the UCL200 Scholarships initiative ahead of UCL’s 2026 Bicentennial.
Students specialising in copyright law may also wish to apply for the J.A.L. Sterling Postgraduate Bursary in Copyright Law, which offers up to £9,000 towards tuition fees. Recipients also join BLACA’s student network and receive mentorship from professionals in the field.
In addition to the scholarships, students may be eligible for a range of other external funding options.
Please visit the Scholarships and Funding page for more information.
Career prospects and employability
UCL LLM in Intellectual Property Law graduates are highly sought after worldwide. Alongside advanced legal knowledge, students develop transferable skills in critical thinking, legal and economic analysis, research, communication, and advocacy—qualities valued across many sectors. They also enhance their professional profile through extracurricular activities such as mooting, debating, and pro bono work.
Graduates of the IP Law LLM are eligible to apply for a 12-month paid traineeship at the European Patent Office (EPO) or the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) through the Pan-European Seal (PES) Professional Traineeship Programme, providing unparalleled international experience in the field.
Students are particularly well-placed for careers in IP law and related fields, including roles as legal associates specialising in IP, partners in leading IP firms, in-house corporate counsel, or positions in IP policy and regulation within government and international organisations. Others move into consultancy, corporate legal departments, policy-making, academic research, or international institutions, applying their expertise to protect and manage intellectual property and innovation. Graduates aiming to qualify as solicitors or barristers can pursue the relevant professional training alongside their LLM.
According to recent Graduate Outcomes data (2022-23), UCL Laws graduates have gone on to work at leading international law firms, professional services organisations, and public bodies. Recent employers include Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May, White & Case, Milbank, Bird & Bird, KPMG, PwC, and UK and international government departments. Many students go on to undertake professional legal training, PhD programmes, or other further academic studies.
LLM Student Spotlights
Meet some of our 2024/25 LLM students as they share reflections on a transformative and rewarding year at UCL Laws.
