Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property

Admissions information

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• Course description arrow_forward_ios

  The Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property is designed for professionals aiming to become registered patent and trade mark attorneys in Australia and New Zealand, as well as those in the arts, media, commercial and legal sectors seeking to enhance their intellectual property expertise.

  Choose this course for a comprehensive education that, depending on the subjects chosen, can meet the full requirements for Australian trade mark attorney registration or progress toward completing outstanding knowledge requirements for registration as a Trans-Tasman patent attorney.

  Benefit from a curriculum that can cover trade marks law and practice, patent law, design law, and professional conduct regulation, with optional subjects such as copyright, global IP law, and IP commercialisation.

  You will gain the ability to advise on infringement, validity, and compliance issues in IP law, and understand the commercialisation of intellectual property assets. The course prepares you for roles such as IP lawyer, portfolio manager, policy maker, and government regulator.

  Learning is facilitated entirely online through a mix of theoretical and practical exercises, ensuring you can apply your knowledge effectively in professional contexts. This approach caters to both local and overseas attorneys progressing to Australian or New Zealand registration, covering not only the key IP registration systems but also the protection of unregistered marks and related forms of protection against misleading or unfair trading conduct in Australia and New Zealand, the patent systems across key jurisdictions, the content and implications of a patent specification and claims, as well as related confidential information and know-how.

  The unique feature of this course is that it may be undertaken entirely online, removing the need for students to attend face-to-face classes.

• Important dates arrow_forward_ios

  Find out more about application dates relating to this course

• Scholarships and prizes arrow_forward_ios

  Discover our scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Our scholarships celebrate diversity and academic excellence. Use the scholarship search tool to find the right scholarship for you.

  Scholarships for domestic students

  Scholarships for international students

• Course duration arrow_forward_ios

  The course can be completed in one year of full-time or one-and-a-half years of part-time study. Students commencing in Spring session may require an additional session to complete the course.

  All subjects within this course can be studied by distance online, requiring no on-campus attendance. All lectures, tutorials, course materials and assessments are distributed by a combination of web-based technology and electronic media. Students conduct all communication with the lecturer by electronic means. A number of subjects are concurrently offered in traditional face-to-face, on-campus format.

• Admission requirements arrow_forward_ios

  To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

  Applicants must have one of the following:

  • Completed Australian doctorate, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study

  OR

  • Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study with a minimum GPA of 4/7

  OR

  • Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study AND Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience

  OR

  • Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience

  Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

  For applicants who need to demonstrate capacity to pursue the course:

  • Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
    • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
    • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
    • A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
    • An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
    • A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
  • Relevant work-related references
  • Personal statement outlining relevant professional experience and reasons for pursuing this course

  Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

• Domestic course fees arrow_forward_ios

  2025 Indicative tuition fees for domestic students

  As a postgraduate student, you'll be responsible for covering your own tuition fees.

  2025 Tuition Fee

  • Indicative first-year tuition fee:  $42,010.00
  • Indicative total tuition fee:  $42,010.00

  You can choose to pay your fees upfront per session, or if you’re eligible, you can defer them using a government FEE-HELP loan. This loan helps you cover all or part of your tuition fees. Keep in mind that applications for this loan are specific to each course.

  Additional Costs 

  Your tuition fees do not include:

  • The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
  • Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
  • Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges).

  Important Information 

  • Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
  • The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
  • Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
  • You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table

  Alumni Advantage Program 

  As a UTS graduate, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your course fees. Just apply for the course you're interested in, and if you're accepted, the discount will automatically be applied to your enrolment invoice. Learn more about the Alumni Advantage Program. 

  If you have any questions about course fees, please feel free to make an enquiry.
 

• Inherent requirements arrow_forward_ios

  Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.

• Professional recognition arrow_forward_ios

  Subject to final board approval, where applicants have a requisite tertiary qualification as stipulated by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys, this course provides accredited subjects which satisfy the educational requirements necessary for registration as a Trade Marks Attorney or which lead to completing the educational requirements necessary for registration as a Patent Attorney in Australia and New Zealand.

  Prospective students should check with the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board for specific subjects required to be completed for registration.

• Recognition of prior learning arrow_forward_ios

  Recognition of prior learning in the UTS Intellectual Property courses is generally not granted for subjects not primarily directed to Australian or New Zealand law.

  Exemption may be granted from 77905 Preparing for Intellectual Property Practice for:

  • completion of a dedicated intellectual property subject in the last six years, and
  • completion of a degree leading to practise as a legal practitioner, and
  • a current Australian Practicing Certificate.

  The Trans-Tasman Intellectual Property Attorneys Board (TTIPAB) – the body that registers Australian and New Zealand Trade Marks and Patent Attorneys – may not recognise subject exemptions recognised by UTS students in the UTS Intellectual Property courses. Students intending to seek registration from the TTIPAB should seek RPL from the TTIPAB directly, and are advised to do this prior to seeking recognition of prior learning towards the UTS Intellectual Property courses.

  More detailed information (including application, credit point limits, time limits, appeal of decision, record of precedent) about recognition of prior learning in the Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property is available at postgraduate course information.

• Transfer between UTS courses arrow_forward_ios

  Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice (C11130) or Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property (C11229) are recognised within the Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property. Students enrolled in either graduate certificate may apply to internally transfer to the graduate diploma program. Candidates are not awarded the graduate certificate but subjects undertaken are applied towards the graduate diploma program.