Intellectual Property Law PG Certificate

About the Course

This course provides a thorough grounding in the rapidly-expanding area of intellectual property law.

Upon successful completion of the Intellectual Property PG Cert, students who wish to qualify as patent or/and trademark attorneys receive full exemption from all Foundation qualifying examinations set by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the JEB (www.jointexaminationboard.org.uk) and from three out of four elements of the Law Course recently set by Institute of Trademark Attorneys to supersede the previous Trade Mark Foundation Papers.

Aims

The programme will provide students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights.

It will explain the basic principles of Intellectual Property Law and the nature and scope of these rights, the procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, and mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.

Enquiries

Jenny King, PG Administrator
Brunel Law School
Brunel University
Email j.king@brunel.ac.uk 
Tel +44 (0)1895 267316
Fax +44 (0)1895 810476
Web www.brunel.ac.uk/law

Course Director: Dr Christine Riefa

Special Features

Law at Brunel
Law at Brunel University is well established and highly rated for its published scholarship, and well known amongst law firms for its distinctive undergraduate sandwich courses. It has recently been through the University's periodic review, which is designed to ensure that high standards of teaching are maintained. It has considerable expertise in various aspects of international trade law and European and international commercial law.

The Graduate School
Brunel Graduate School offers postgraduates additional features for study and the opportunity to meet other postgraduate students from across the University.

Course Content

You will take two taught modules running concurrently through the teaching year from October to May.

Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law
The module aims to provide students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights. Further, it seeks to explain the basic principles of Intellectual Property Law, nature and scope of such rights, procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.

Intellectual Property Practice and Management
The course will prepare students for the challenges they will face when they enter practice as it will cover all major practical knowledge needed in a competitive International Intellectual Property industry.

Assessment

For each module you will be assessed twice, first by way of a written essay and then by way of an examination. Each assessment is worth 50% of the overall mark.

Employability

Students who complete the course will have the skills to pursue a career in the area of intellectual property as lawyers, patent or trademark lawyers or IP portfolio managers. The course may also benefit those who wish to become IP paralegals.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £2,375 part-time
International students: £4,215 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

You will normally be expected to have a second class honours law degree or equivalent to be considered for admission. However a law degree is not a prerequisite and each applicant will be considered on their own merits.

Entry Requirements for 2011 Entry (click to expand)

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
• Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.