MSc in Intellectual Property

About the course

This new programme builds on the foundations of the PGDip in Intellectual Property Law and Practice and provides in-depth research training, encompassing perspectives drawn from the fields of copyright, design, patents and trade marks.

The programme provides a unique opportunity to reach a greater degree of theoretical content, exploring historical and comparative ways of approaching the study of intellectual property, driven by the research and expertise of Oxford academics. Teaching is undertaken in Oxford in intensive short periods and despite the part-time nature of the course, the degree has been designed to ensure that students may still enjoy the unique Oxford experience, including college life, small class sizes, tutorials and interaction with Oxford faculty and students.

The remaining part of the year is dedicated to writing a dissertation that tests academic research skills and the ability to develop and maintain a detailed argument across an extended piece of writing. This not only provides more in depth research training, encompassing perspectives drawn from the fields of copyright, design, patents and trade marks but also demands a higher level of critical engagement. Students will be encouraged to view individual issues in particular areas in the broader context of the relationship between the state and the market, and deep dive into the technical aspects of a subject and their relationship with broad policy issues.

Led by academics from the Law Faculty and the Oxford Intellectual Property Research Centre, the programme also draws on the assistance of eminent practitioners with a broad interest and wide knowledge of intellectual property law.

Assessment

The option courses are assessed at the end of the term in which they are run. Three modules (Comparative Copyright, Principles of Intellectual Property, and Trade Marks and Brands) rely on a final examination. The Incentivising Innovation option is assessed by two extended essays. The dissertation is to be submitted at the end of the third term. The two option courses each contribute 25% of the final degree outcome, and the dissertation will contribute 50%. To pass the degree, students must pass both option courses and the dissertation.

Graduate destinations

This course is ideally intended for barristers, solicitors, patent attorneys, and trade mark attorneys working in private practice. It will also be of interest and deeply relevant to those employed, or seeking employment, as inhouse IP advisers, intellectual property administration in patent offices and other government bodies, or to those engaged in intellectual property advocacy on behalf of NGOs. Intellectual property practitioners are key in a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, such as science or engineering background. The MSc would also be of particular value to students seeking professional development or a change in career direction.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline.