Law - Intellectual Property Law

The LLM in Intellectual Property Law is an innovative programme that explores the intersections of globalisation, creative industries, sustainability, and new technological challenges in the field of intellectual property law. It provides a strong foundation through core modules and a flexible structure, which allows students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals.



The programme is taught by leading experts in the field, who have advised international organisations, including UNCTAD, the European Commission, EUIPO, and WIPO. It also benefits from strong industry connections, providing students with valuable exposure to real-world practice. Through a combination of coursework, seminars, guest lectures, and networking opportunities, students will develop a deep, multidisciplinary understanding of the legal principles, global frameworks, and policy issues shaping intellectual property law.



This programme is an excellent foundation for careers across the private and public sectors. Graduates may work as in-house legal specialists in the high-tech, life-science, creative industries or as IP litigators, patent lawyers, trademark attorneys, or licensing executives, among other roles. Students may also work in the public sector, advising government agencies on intellectual property law matters or working for non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations focused on intellectual property issues. The programme also offers an excellent foundation for those aiming to pursue doctoral research and an academic career.

Core Modules

Approaches to Legal Research (10 credits)

Innovation & Creativity Clinic: Project Based Learning (10 credits)

Foundations of IP Law, Theory, Economics & Policy (20 credits)

Global IP Law, Trade and Technology (20 credits)

Intellectual Property and Creative Industries : Copyright, Designs and Trademarks (20 credits)

Dissertation (Intellectual Property Law) (60 credits)

Law of FinTech Regulation and Digital Economy (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Business and Human Rights (20 credits)

Dissertation in Practice (60 credits)

Platform Reg:IP Enforcement (10 credits)

Artificial Intelligence and the Law (20 credits)

(Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks & Immersive Technologies (10 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Applicants with a primary Law degree: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree in Law or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.



Applicants with a primary degree in a relevant/cognate subject: Normally applicants with a 2:1 Honours degree or above (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Social Sciences, Humanities, Life Science, Computer Science or a cognate discipline. Applicants with a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be considered.



Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 28th August 2026. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

1 year (Full Time)

2 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

This employer focused programme places employability skills at the core of the student experience (including problem-based learning and leadership modules), introducing students to the interplay of and interfaces between IP law, creative industries, technological development and global public interest policy challenges.