Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property

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.

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

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

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.

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 practice 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.

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.

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.