ObjectivesThis course provides a thorough grounding in intellectual property law, a rapidly-expanding area. Successful candidates not only receive the Certificate, a useful legal qualification in itself, but exemption from all seven of the foundation level exams for membership of both the Institute of Trademark Attorneys and the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. Together these constitute the third branch of the legal profession with earnings on a par with those of solicitors and barristers. It 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.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements 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. Applications are welcomed from overseas students. If English is not your first language you will normally be expected to have a score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 585.
Academic titleIntellectual Property Law PG Certificate
Course descriptionCourse Summary
This course provides a thorough grounding in intellectual property law, a rapidly-expanding area. Successful candidates also receive exemption from all seven of the foundation level exams for membership of both the Institute of Trademark Attorneys and the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.
The course provides students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights. It will explain 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.
Course Details
On the Intellectual Property Law programme, you take two taught modules running concurrently through the teaching year from October to May.
Students must take the two compulsory modules:
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.
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.
Brunel University
Brunel University has a population of over 13,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including 1,600 overseas students from 110 countries. The campus is conveniently located in Uxbridge on the western outskirts of London, close to Heathrow Airport and with good transport links to central London. Most postgraduate students choose to live on or near the campus, within walking distance of seminar or lecture rooms, the Law School, and the library, and also the campus bank and shops and leisure, social and sports facilities. Uxbridge town centre is 15 minutes walk away.
The Graduate School
Brunel Graduate School offers postgraduates additional features for study and the opportunity to meet other postgraduate students from across the University.
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.
Teaching Methods
The teaching will usually take the form of classes, involving discussion of prepared reading, supplemented by lecturing from the module teacher to introduce and consolidate the discussion. Use of WebCT, our online learning environment, will also help reinforce learning.