International Studies in Intellectual Property Law and Data Law (LLM)

Overview

This English-language master’s programme combines intellectual property law and data law, giving you a focused grounding in both traditional IP topics and emerging data-related legal issues. The winter semester concentrates on patent and copyright law, while the summer semester shifts emphasis to data law, trademark law and design law. Throughout the academic year you will also encounter seminars, workshops and moot courts addressing a wide range of IP-related questions.

The curriculum is modular and designed to be adaptable so you can shape your studies to match your academic interests and career goals. In addition to lectures and case studies, the programme integrates practical learning formats—seminars in different IP areas (hard and soft IP), opportunities to take part in moot court exercises, and a practitioner forum where you engage with professionals from practice and industry. An internship is also part of the programme experience, providing workplace exposure to complement classroom learning.

International mobility is supported: you can choose to spend the autumn/winter semester at one of nine partner universities, broadening your legal perspective and gaining comparative experience useful for international careers in IP and data law.

Key programme components / requirements

• Winter-semester focus: patent law and copyright law
• Summer-semester focus: data law, trademark law and design law
• Modular structure with lectures and case studies
• Seminars in hard or soft IP topics
• Workshops and moot court exercises throughout the year (participation opportunities)
• Traditional practitioner forum involving legal professionals
• Completion of an internship during the programme
• Opportunity to spend the autumn/winter semester at one of nine partner universities

Curriculum overview

This is a one-year master’s programme structured in four parts, with two possible start dates each year. During the winter semester students may study at the home institution or select one of the programme’s partner universities in Krakow, Exeter, London, Prague, Strasbourg, Szeged, Tallinn or Tokyo, enabling a strong international and comparative perspective on intellectual property and data law.

Practical training is built into the timetable: in the lecture-free period of the first semester (either February–March or August–September), students complete a compulsory internship of at least four weeks to gain hands-on experience. The research component culminates in a master’s thesis: candidates are given a total processing time of 15 weeks for the thesis, which ideally begins in the second semester. The thesis must be finished within one year after the final semester of study.

Key components and expected learning outcomes

• Core taught modules and elective seminars provide advanced, up-to-date knowledge of intellectual property and data law from both national and international perspectives (delivered across the programme’s four-part structure).
• Mobility and exchange options at partner universities enhance comparative legal understanding and cross-jurisdictional skills.
• The mandatory internship develops practical skills for legal practice, policy work, or industry roles related to IP and data protection.
• The 15-week master’s thesis strengthens research design, legal analysis, academic writing and independent problem-solving abilities applicable to careers in law, policy, academia or the private sector.

Concise requirements and timings

• Programme length: one year, divided into four parts.
• Intakes: twice per year.
• Winter-semester study locations: home campus or partner universities in Krakow, Exeter, London, Prague, Strasbourg, Szeged, Tallinn or Tokyo.
• Internship: minimum four weeks during the first-semester lecture-free period (February–March or August–September).
• Master’s thesis: 15 weeks processing time; ideally started in the second semester and must be completed no later than one year after the last semester.

Graduates are prepared for specialist roles that require combined expertise in intellectual property and data law. Typical career paths include law firms and boutique IP practices, in-house counsel and compliance positions in technology and media companies, patent and trademark offices, data protection officer roles, and advisory or policy positions relating to IP and digital regulation. The programme’s practical elements (moots, internships, practitioner forum) and international exchanges also equip students for cross-border practice and careers in international organisations.

Some graduates pursue further academic research or doctoral studies in IP or information law, while others leverage the programme’s industry contacts and internship experience to enter employment directly after the one-year course.