Overview
The Brunel Intellectual Property Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is a unique, part-time programme with two separate routes designed for trainee patent attorneys with STEM degrees or for trainee trade mark attorneys. It is also suitable for people wishing to pursue a more general career in intellectual property law and practice.
The PGCert is accredited with IPREG and provides two separate routes of Foundation Level Qualification (Patents) and a Foundation Level Qualification (Trade Marks). Candidates may undertake either one or the other as part of the PgCert programme or combine the two FLQs in Patents and Trade Marks as part of an LLM in Intellectual Property.
In addition, Intellectual Property PgCert alumni have the option to upgrade to an LLM in Intellectual Property should they choose to re-enrol as returning students within the first five years after their graduation from Brunel.
You will get a comprehensive overview of the theoretical, practical and management aspects of intellectual property, at both national and international levels, with a solid grounding in:
- the basic rules and principles of intellectual property law as well as the nature and scope of these rights
- the procedures for the granting and recognition of these rights
- the mechanisms for the enforcement of these rights
- patents, copyrights, trademarks and contract resolution
The course is suitable for law graduates and those with backgrounds in the sciences, technology, engineering and business. Non-graduates currently working in the area of intellectual property are also considered. No prior legal knowledge is required, as you will be introduced to the essential legal principles throughout the course. As this is a part-time, you can remain in full-time employment while you study. UK employers currently sponsor over 80% of students taking the course.
The programme runs from the end of September to the end of March and is delivered on Thursdays and will take 8 months to complete. It is also possible to start the course in January and complete in a year.
As innovation in technology, medicine and business methods advance, employers are looking for candidates with the skill and knowledge to keep up with the complexities of intellectual property law. Your Brunel Intellectual Property PGCert will do just that and make you a preferred prospect by law firms and businesses.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The Intellectual Property Law PgCert consists entirely of compulsory modules which are delivered on-line.
Compulsory
- LX5642 - Copyright, Design and Allied RightsThis module aims to provide you with essential knowledge about UK copyright law and trade mark law in the context of EU and international obligations. It seeks to explain the rationale of copyright and industrial design, nature and scope of such rights, procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, and mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.
- LX5643 - Patent Law and PracticeThis module aims to provide you with essential knowledge about UK patent and industrial design law in the context of EU and international obligations. It seeks to explain the, rationale of ‘industrial property’, nature and scope of patent rights, procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, and mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.
- LX5644 - Trade Marks and Allied RightsThis module will prepare you for the challenges they will face when they enter practice as it will cover all major practical knowledge needed in a competitive International IP industry. They will learn to obtain law and procedures for protection for Trademarks (incl. UK, CTM, Madrid Protocol and foreign registrations), explore the construction and granting of licensing agreements for various IP rights, and develop knowledge strategies and options available when threatened with litigation, particularly when instigated on a supranational basis.
- LX5645 - Managing Intellectual PropertyThis module will prepare you for the challenges you will face when you enter practice as it will cover all major practical knowledge needed in a competitive International IP industry.
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Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
You will leave Brunel with a firm grounding in Intellectual Property Law. After you graduate you will be well equipped to get into the specialist area of Intellectual Property as a practitioner or adviser at national or international level or as a lawyer, patent or trademark attorney, IP portfolio manager, IP examiner, or IP paralegal.
Our students in recent years went on to pursue careers in range of high-profile organisations such as White and Case LLP, Trade Mark Wizards, European Parliament, ECDC- Ocean Accelerator Inc. and Patent and Trademark Clinic (PTC).
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in Law, Sciences, Engineering, Technology and Humanities (i.e. Psychology; Sociology).
Other related disciplines and qualifications, in conjunction with patents and intellectual property work experience, will be considered.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£4,810 part-time
International
£7,440 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
You'll be taught by experts in your field of study (academics and practitioners), and you'll have the opportunity to interact and engage with academics and your fellow students throughout your programme.
Your programme will consist of a variety of learning and studying activities, including workshops, lectures and seminars which will be delivered online. On each taught module students will have workshops, seminars or lectures for 4 hours per week on average during the teaching terms. There will also be an opportunity to engage and seek guidance from lecturers during their feedback and consultation hours. Additionally, students can seek support in individual meetings with their personal tutors. All modules on this programme are four weeks long and are very intensive. All students are also expected to attend two weeks (16 hours in total) of compulsory accessed induction to English Law Fundamentals at the beginning of the Autumn Term.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Intellectual Property Law at Brunel University is at the forefront of scholarship in the discipline and is highly rated for the quality of its staff publications, research projects and teaching standards.
Our tutors include academics and practitioners with recognised expertise in all areas of intellectual property law.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Each module will be assessed independently by way of a written examination or coursework.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.