Intellectual Property

Frequently asked questions

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• What Intellectual Property programs does UTS Law offer?

  UTS provides a full suite of postgraduate IP programs, including:

  Master of Intellectual Property (MIP)  
  Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property  (GDIP)
  Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property (GCIP)
  Juris Doctor/Master of Intellectual Property (combined degree)  (JD/MIP)
  Juris Doctor/Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice (combined degree) (JD/GCTMLP).

• Are UTS Intellectual Property programs accredited?

  Yes. Eight subjects across the Master, Graduate Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs are accredited by the Trans-Tasman Intellectual Property Attorneys Board (TTIPAB). Students may meet the knowledge requirements for registration as a patent or trade marks attorney depending on subjects chosen. 

  The following subjects are accredited for registration as a patent attorney under the TTIPAB:

  • 77905 Preparing for Intellectual Property Practice
  • 77898 Patent Law
  • 77889 Trade Marks Law
  • 77893 Designs Law and Practice
  • 77890 Trade Marks Practice
  • 77891 Patent Systems
  • 77894 Drafting of Patent Specifications
  • 77895 Interpretation and Validity of Patent Specifications

  
  The following subjects are accredited for registration as a trade marks attorney under the TTIPAB:

  • 77905 Preparing for Intellectual Property Practice
  • 77889 Trade Marks Law
  • 77890 Trade Marks Practice

   

• Do I need a law degree to study IP at UTS?

  No. UTS programs are designed for both law and non-law graduates: 

  • The Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diploma and Master's of IP accept students from any background.  
  • The JD/Master of Intellectual Property is specifically designed for non-law graduates wanting a legal qualification plus IP specialisation.  
  • The JD/Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice is specifically designed for international and non-law graduates seeking a legal qualification plus IP specialisation.

• Are UTS IP programs delivered online?

  Yes. UTS is a leader in online IP education: 

  • The Master of Intellectual Property is delivered 100% online.  
  • The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificates are also fully online, with flexible study options.  
  • The postgraduate IP subjects in the JD/Master of Intellectual Property and JD/Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice are delivered 100% online. 

• What will I study in the UTS IP Program?

  Subjects cover important areas of IP practice, including: 

  • Patent law
  • Trade mark law 
  • Designs law 
  • Copyright law 
  • Traditional Knowledge 
  • IP commercialisation 
  • Global IP law 

  Programs combine core IP foundations with electives aligned to industry needs. 

• Can I become a registered patent or trade mark attorney through UTS?

  UTS was the first Australian university to offer a program meeting the full educational knowledge requirements for registration as a Trans-Tasman patent attorney and as an Australian trade marks attorney, depending on subject selection. Registration is achieved via the Trans-Tasman Intellectual Property Attorneys Board

• How long do the UTS IP programs take to complete?

  • Master of Intellectual Property: 1–1.5 years full-time / 2.5–3 years part-time  
  • Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property: 1 year full-time / 1.5 years part-time  
  • Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property: 0.5 years full-time / 1 year part-time 
  • JD/Master of Intellectual Property and JD/Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice: 3.5 years full-time  

• What career outcomes can I expect?

  Graduates may pursue roles such as:

  • Patent attorney 
  • Trade marks attorney 
  • IP lawyer 
  • IP portfolio manager 
  • Legal policy advisor 
  • Government regulator 

• Are international students eligible for these IP programs?

  Yes, but international students are not eligible for a student visa to study UTS’s suite of intellectual property courses in Australia. 

• Why choose UTS for Intellectual Property studies?

  UTS Law is known for: 

  • Industry-designed curriculum 
  • Australia’s first TTIPAB-accredited pathway 
  • 100% online flexible delivery 
  • Strong national ranking (#8 in Australia for Law & Legal Studies)
  • Teaching by practising IP attorneys, barristers, and industry experts.