Introduction
This innovative degree blends advanced-level teaching and research in intellectual property with practical and professional skills training to provide you with a valuable basis for a successful career in intellectual property law.
This programme is studied on campus.
Intellectual Property Law at Aberdeen provides a challenging and stimulating degree that engages you with a future in innovation, brands and cultural heritage.
This constantly evolving field explores the key issues of control and reward in innovation and society. It is concerned with areas such as literature and trademarks, brands, health and media and new information technologies such as 3D printing.
The programme offers an opportunity for students from the UK and overseas to explore a range of fascinating, multi-faceted legal and societal questions. Intellectual property law is a valuable asset to businesses and you will gain a deep understanding of its benefits and challenges within corporate and economic frameworks.
You will have the opportunity to learn about the power and challenges of intellectual property, including its limits in terms of innovation, creativity and development. In addition, the Law School also has other existing LLM courses that fit well within the programme, such as: World Trade Organisation: GATT, European Economic Law and International Commercial Arbitration.
This programme was designed with the assistance of intellectual property law experts as well as our internal staff at the University. With this combined input, you will gain unique insights into the subject and will advance your understanding of the factors that influence it. The programme has been carefully coordinated to align with the competencies required for today’s international job market.
The University of Aberdeen is known for attracting world-class teaching staff with international experience in their specialist subjects meaning you will have access to first rate teaching from globally respected thought leaders.
Key Programme Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- LLM
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
Study Options
- LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January
-
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
The professional skills element of the degree, will be held in May and June , and most of the teaching will be delivered in two separate weeks on a 9-5 basis. Students will be offered choices within the professional skills element of the degree, to be made by January of each academic year, of a legal practice pathway (exploring litigation, due diligence, contract drafting); a commercial pathway (exploring IP management pathways, securing and raising funds on the basis of IP, reporting to regulators or launching an exhibition); and an activist and policy making pathway (exploring campaigns to challenge the power of IP, eg access to medicines and arguments for enhanced IP say in RTA and TRIPS Plus agreements). There will be some intersections across these pathways enabling opportunities for peer learning, and also joint training in teamwork and communication skills
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)
-
This compulsory course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which would be required to excel in LLM-Taught courses. It commences with a few lectures and progresses to working in a workshop environment and finally to the submission of an individual assignment. It also incorporates elements such as library workshops to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
Optional Courses
Courses to the value of 120 credit points, at least 90 credit points from list below. Remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit Law course (excluding LS501E and LS551K)
- Trade Marks and Brand Development (LS5584) - 30 Credit Points
-
This course tracks the ongoing interactions between trade mark and related laws on the one hand and the social and commercial practices of branding on the other. Through the use of cases and contemporary examples throughout, the course views trade mark and related laws within their historical, current, and developing social and commercial contexts. It offers a critical view of certain developments in the laws, their roles in and responses to the evolving practices of branding. It provides students with both an analytical and a practical view on the protection of trade mark and related rights.
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Commercialising Innovation and Law (LS5595) - 30 Credit Points
-
Students will explore the diversity of laws and practices relevant to commercialising innovation. We will consider patents, trade secrets, copyright and database rights, new business models, competition, natural resources and activities in developing areas. Visiting speakers from practice and industry are regularly invited. In the first session, students develop an innovative idea, as a base for discussion in each session. Seminars involve individual and group work, and the preparation of posters. Assessment is by essay, exam and individual oral presentation.
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Professional Skills: Intellectual Property (LS5913) - 60 Credit Points
-
This course enables students to develop professional and practical skills in intellectual property law. This course will take the place of a dissertation.
Optional Courses
- International Intellectual Property: Frameworks and Challenges (LS502L) - 30 Credit Points
-
Students will explore the diverse elements of law which constitute international intellectual property law. We will consider the framework of international conventions, copyright and moral rights (with a particular focus on new developments and the digital age), patents, designs, the work of the World Health Organisation and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Throughout the challenge is to identify conflicts and synergies, and areas for future development, through regard to cases, scholarship, and the activities of policy makers and activists. Assessment is by an essay, an exam and an individual presentation.
- Copyright and Patents (LS502P) - 30 Credit Points
-
This course is a substantive and critical analysis of two key areas of intellectual property law, copyright and patents, with a UK and European focus, and their impact on innovation and creativity. This course complements other innovation law LLM courses which focus on commercial, policy and sector matters.
- Cultural Property Issues: Law, Art, and Museums (LS50UU) - 30 Credit Points
-
Taught by museum and law academics, this course will examine cultural property issues such as treasure trove, looting and repatriation, forgery, sacred and street art, and the derogatory treatment of art. Objects from the University Museum and collections worldwide will be drawn on to illustrate aspects of the course. Museum practice and operational experience will also inform certain aspects. Students will be encouraged to explore and develop their own ideas. Facilitating this, the course will include a programme of case studies and/or issue papers to be presented by students for class discussion.
- LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September
-
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
The professional skills element of the degree, will be held in May and June , and most of the teaching will be delivered in two separate weeks on a 9-5 basis. Students will be offered choices within the professional skills element of the degree, to be made by January of each academic year, of a legal practice pathway (exploring litigation, due diligence, contract drafting); a commercial pathway (exploring IP management pathways, securing and raising funds on the basis of IP, reporting to regulators or launching an exhibition); and an activist and policy making pathway (exploring campaigns to challenge the power of IP, eg access to medicines and arguments for enhanced IP say in RTA and TRIPS Plus agreements). There will be some intersections across these pathways enabling opportunities for peer learning, and also joint training in teamwork and communication skills
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS501T)
-
This compulsory course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which would be required to excel in LLM-Taught courses. It commences with a few lectures and progresses to working in a workshop environment and finally to the submission of an individual assignment. It also incorporates elements such as library workshops to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
Optional Courses
Courses to the value of 120 credit points, at least 90 credit points from list below. Remaining credit points may be obtained from any Level 5 30 credit Law course (excluding LS501E and LS551K)
- International Intellectual Property: Frameworks and Challenges (LS502L) - 30 Credit Points
-
Students will explore the diverse elements of law which constitute international intellectual property law. We will consider the framework of international conventions, copyright and moral rights (with a particular focus on new developments and the digital age), patents, designs, the work of the World Health Organisation and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Throughout the challenge is to identify conflicts and synergies, and areas for future development, through regard to cases, scholarship, and the activities of policy makers and activists. Assessment is by an essay, an exam and an individual presentation.
- Copyright and Patents (LS502P) - 30 Credit Points
-
This course is a substantive and critical analysis of two key areas of intellectual property law, copyright and patents, with a UK and European focus, and their impact on innovation and creativity. This course complements other innovation law LLM courses which focus on commercial, policy and sector matters.
- Cultural Property Issues: Law, Art, and Museums (LS50UU) - 30 Credit Points
-
Taught by museum and law academics, this course will examine cultural property issues such as treasure trove, looting and repatriation, forgery, sacred and street art, and the derogatory treatment of art. Objects from the University Museum and collections worldwide will be drawn on to illustrate aspects of the course. Museum practice and operational experience will also inform certain aspects. Students will be encouraged to explore and develop their own ideas. Facilitating this, the course will include a programme of case studies and/or issue papers to be presented by students for class discussion.
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Commercialising Innovation and Law (LS5595) - 30 Credit Points
-
Students will explore the diversity of laws and practices relevant to commercialising innovation. We will consider patents, trade secrets, copyright and database rights, new business models, competition, natural resources and activities in developing areas. Visiting speakers from practice and industry are regularly invited. In the first session, students develop an innovative idea, as a base for discussion in each session. Seminars involve individual and group work, and the preparation of posters. Assessment is by essay, exam and individual oral presentation.
Optional Courses
- Trade Marks and Brand Development (LS5584) - 30 Credit Points
-
This course tracks the ongoing interactions between trade mark and related laws on the one hand and the social and commercial practices of branding on the other. Through the use of cases and contemporary examples throughout, the course views trade mark and related laws within their historical, current, and developing social and commercial contexts. It offers a critical view of certain developments in the laws, their roles in and responses to the evolving practices of branding. It provides students with both an analytical and a practical view on the protection of trade mark and related rights.
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Professional Skills: Intellectual Property (LS5913) - 60 Credit Points
-
This course enables students to develop professional and practical skills in intellectual property law. This course will take the place of a dissertation.
Course Availability
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
By course work, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. Within the Professional Skills course assessment is by an individual presentation, a group presentation, and an individual written and a group written project, with written projects to be submitted in July and August of each academic year. This degree will be of transnational interest, providing students with a strong base to further grow and diversify their career opportunities and offerings.
Why Study Intellectual Property Law with Professional Skills?
Ever since the University’s opening in 1495, the Law School has played a pivotal role in Aberdeen’s history - and there’s no substitute for experience. Our Intellectual Property Law programme is one of the most recent additions to our law school’s roster of subjects.
It is one of the most valuable assets in business and at Aberdeen you will have the opportunity to explore its power and learn about its challenges from activists and competitors. You will learn how intellectual property can aid and limit innovation, creativity and development, within a range of corporate and economic frameworks.
- The School of Law is ranked 5th in the UK for Law (The Times Good University Guide 2019), and based on the Times ranking is the highest ranked Scottish Law School.
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There are over 40 nationalities within the School of Law postgraduate community, so you will benefit from the experiences of international students from all over the world.
Students choose to study Law at Aberdeen because of our reputation for academic excellence and unrivalled student experience. At Aberdeen, you will:
- Gain a degree in a challenging and stimulating subject that will enable you to engage with a future that lies in innovation.
- Develop valuable transferable skills, gain advanced knowledge and build networks upon which to base your future career.
- Study at Aberdeen’s Law School, which will provide you with rich and varied opportunities for postgraduate learning and research.
- Benefit from learning about intellectual property laws overseas as well as in the UK as our programme attracts students from all over the world.
- Benefit from studying in small class sizes and have the opportunity to learn in a friendly community where you will have access to teaching staff whenever you need.
The University also has a leading Law careers service that organises events focused on providing you with the additional skills needed to make the most of your career potential.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Normally, a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Law will be required to be accepted onto this programme. Relevant practical experience in a related field will also be beneficial.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
Home /RUK /EU Students Tuition fees for 2018/19 £7800
International Students Tuition Fees for 2018/19 academic year £18900
- LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January
-
Fee Information
Fee information Fee category Cost Home / EU / RUK Students £8,200 Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year International Students £19,800 Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year Home / EU / RUK Students £11,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year International Students £21,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year - LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September
-
Fee Information
Fee information Fee category Cost Home / EU / RUK Students £11,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year International Students £21,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year
International non-EU Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
The James Carnegie maintenance scholarship for postgraduate students is available with this degree.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Studying Intellectual Property Law at Aberdeen will provide you with a solid grounding for pursuing a career in the legal industries. A degree in IPL from Aberdeen could lead you to a career in law, journalism and media, international policymaking, activism, or with multinational corporations.
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB