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Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The MIP is for law and non-law graduates who wish to gain advanced knowledge of New Zealand and Australian intellectual property law. It comprises a range of specialist courses taught by leading intellectual property law researchers and experienced and expert intellectual property practitioners. The programme will particularly appeal to those seeking registration as a patent attorney with the Trans-Tasman Intellectual Property Attorney Board.

A 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property is available for students seeking shorter qualifications or exit options.

Part-time study is available and recommended for working professionals. Part-time options include 2 years (two courses per semester) or 4 years (one course per semester).

For further information please contact postgradlaw@auckland.ac.nz

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The programme comprises courses designed to meet the knowledge requirements for registration as a patent or trade mark attorney. The programme will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to help individuals and businesses successfully leverage and exploit their intellectual property and resolve intellectual property disputes.

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place. 

Taught (120 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

A relevant Bachelors (Honours)

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

Taught 120 points

Admission to the 120 point programme is open to:

  • Students with a relevant bachelors degree such as in Engineering, Science or Technology with honours from the University of Auckland (or equivalent), with a minimum GPA of 5.0 across 60 points above Stage III
  • Students who have completed a relevant bachelors degree with honours from the University of Auckland (or equivalent) and passed 60 points in the Postgraduate Certificate of Intellectual Property with a GPA of 4.0
  • Students with an LLB or LLB(Hons) degree from this University and a relevant bachelors degree with a GPA of 5.0 in their last year of study
  • Students with a relevant bachelors degree from this University, but without honours (Such students may be admitted if they have a GPA of 5.0 and can demonstrate to the Programme Director at least two years of relevant practical professional experience in the field of intellectual property.)


The Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property is a pathway to the MIP if a student does not meet the entry GPA for the MIP.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two04 July 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors (Honours) degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors (Honours) degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher across 60 points above Stage III

or

c (i) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors (Honours) degree from this University, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) passed 60 points in the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded

or

d completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

e completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage III

or

f (i) (a) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

(b) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher across 60 points above Stage II

and

(ii) at least two years of relevant practical professional experience in the field of intellectual property which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Programme Director the student’s ability to undertake the degree.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean or nominee if they determine that an applicant has a Bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study.

Note: A relevant bachelors degree may be in engineering, science or technology, or equivalent.

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Master Degrees

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

Structure and Content

5 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Intellectual Property Schedule.

6 Up to 30 points may, with the approval of the Programme Director, be replaced by 30 points from appropriate 700 Level courses offered at this University.

7 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

8 A student may apply to reassign courses passed to the Postgraduate Certificate of Intellectual Property.

Transfer from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

9 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property may apply to reassign those courses to this degree provided the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

Distinction

10 This degree may be awarded with Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

11 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 1 item from Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing Course, and
  • 60 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • At least 30 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
  • 0 to 30 points from Group 2 Elective Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Compulsory Courses

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete at least 30 points from the following:

Group 2 Elective Courses

Complete 0 to 30 points from the following:

Up to 30 points may be substituted from LAWS 554 , LAWS 555 offered at the Victoria University of Wellington or from other 700 level courses offered at this University approved by the Programme Director.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism