This Erasmus Mundus Master’s-level programme brings together six leading universities across Germany, France, Estonia, Spain and the UK to deliver advanced, research-informed training in intellectual property and data law for high-achieving graduates from around the world. The course combines a broad, multidisciplinary foundation with the opportunity to specialise in one of three tracks: IT & Data Law, Creative Industries, or Industrial Property Law. The consortium model emphasises close interaction between research and teaching, giving students up-to-date theoretical knowledge and practical perspectives on IP and data regulation.
The programme is designed to foster a comparative, European outlook: you will learn core concepts, methods, enforcement mechanisms and current developments across different areas of IP and data law, and develop the ability to analyse similarities and differences between national legal systems—particularly in your chosen specialisation. In line with the programme’s guidelines, graduates receive a dual/joint diploma issued by each of the two consortium partners at which they have completed study, reflecting the transnational and mobile nature of the programme.
Teaching and assessment are conducted in English at several partner institutions (TUD, TalTech, QMUL and UoE). Some consortium partners also teach and examine in French (UNISTRA/CEIPI) or Spanish (UC3M), so you may encounter instruction in those languages depending on where you study. The course is particularly suited to students who want an international, research-led master’s experience focused on contemporary IP and data law challenges.
Entry requirements (concise)
Overview The programme is organised around three specialised tracks—IT & Data Law, Creative Industries and Industrial Property Law—allowing students to combine a broad multidisciplinary foundation with focused, career-oriented study in one area. All students follow the same core curriculum in the first semester; from the second semester they take track-specific courses and complete a Master’s thesis. The curriculum is student-centred and research-informed, delivered through close cooperation among consortium partners to ensure both a solid common grounding and high-level individual specialisation.
Curriculum structure and key modules The first semester provides a unified introduction to IP and data law for students from diverse backgrounds: a virtual introductory session on EU law is followed by lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials that cover patent law; trademark and design law; IT & data law; and copyright law. Specialisation begins in the second semester, where partner universities offer focused modules aligned with each track and students write their Master’s thesis. The course mix emphasises comparative EU perspectives, practical skills, and scholarly methods so students can move confidently into specialised subjects in semester two.
Learning outcomes and international experience By the end of the programme students will have a firm foundation across the main fields of intellectual property and data law, plus advanced, track-specific expertise. Graduates should be able to analyse and apply EU and comparative IP/data law, undertake independent legal research, and adapt their skills to professional roles in industry, policy, or academia. The programme’s international character—built on cooperation among six European universities and non‑European partners—also develops cross‑jurisdictional competence through mandated study periods at two different universities.
Program requirements and key facts (concise)
The MIPDaL consortium applies a common set of entry rules for all applicants. You must plan to study in two partner countries and those two countries of study must not be identical to your country of residence at the time of enrolment. Eligible candidates normally hold a job‑qualifying law degree of at least 240 ECTS (four years) as recognised by the participating partners (Estonia, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom). Acceptable degree patterns include, for example, a three‑year bachelor plus a first master, or a four‑year bachelor, insofar as the qualification is recognised by the partner institutions.
If you are still finishing your first degree at the time of application, you can still be considered provided you can document that at least 80% of the credits for that degree are already completed (via certified module results, thesis and, if relevant, colloquium). In such cases a conditional offer will be issued with a deadline to submit the remaining proof. Successful applicants are expected to be among the top students in their cohort and to hold a law degree (or a degree with substantial law content) deemed equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree with Upper Second Class honours. Applicants should also demonstrate clear motivation for the IP and data law subjects covered by the programme.
Language proficiency must be proven according to the language(s) of the chosen study track: for tracks delivered in English, CEFR level C1 is required (B2+ may be accepted only in exceptional cases). For tracks involving studies in French (UNISTRA/CEIPI) or Spanish (UC3M), French C1 and Spanish B2 are required respectively. All applications and supporting documents must be uploaded via the MIPDaL application portal; incomplete or late submissions will be excluded from consideration. Providing an academic reference letter is strongly recommended.
Additional notes:
Winter Semester (International)
15 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 March 2026
Graduates leave equipped for a wide range of roles in the IP and data law ecosystem: positions in national and international law firms, in‑house counsel roles at technology and creative companies, IP policy and regulatory bodies, patent and trademark offices, consultancy firms, and research or academic careers. The programme’s comparative and multilingual training is particularly valuable for roles requiring cross‑border legal analysis and international practice.
The dual‑degree format and consortium network also enhance employability in Europe and beyond, offering contacts with practitioners and partner institutions that can support placements, internships and further professional qualifications in intellectual property and data protection.
University of Mannheim — Mannheim
University of Hamburg — Hamburg
Goethe University Frankfurt — Frankfurt am Main
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Berlin