The WIPO Academy offers eleven Joint Master’s Programs in intellectual property (including LL.M. programs) in cooperation with prestigious universities and IP offices across the world. The programs run for a year to a year and a half, and the curricula are jointly developed by the WIPO Academy and respective partner institutions.
The WIPO Academy has established a University Partnerships Program through which we created our Joint Master’s programs in IP with 17 reputable universities across 16 different countries (Argentina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, China, Italy, India, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Türkiye and Zimbabwe). Our Joint Master’s programs are available in four different languages including Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, depending on the selected university.
Curriculum of the WIPO Academy Joint Master’s Programs in IP
The WIPO Academy Joint Master’s programs in intellectual property are increasingly specialized in different areas of IP, shifting from the purely legal aspects of the subject to more entrepreneurial skills such as IP management, business management and applied research connected to the way in which IP can be used to support business growth and economic and social development.
Application for a Joint Master in IP
Apply for one of the WIPO Academy's 17 Joint Master's Programs in IP offered with prestigious universities all over the world.
Specializations in patent law and design law, industrial property, innovation, new technologies and development policy are covered in the program offerings. Most of the Joint Master’s Programs cover core topics such as:
- Patents;
- Trademarks and geographical indications;
- Industrial designs;
- Copyright and related rights;
- Traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources;
- Transfer of technology, IP management and strategic planning;
- Innovation and entrepreneurship;
- New IP rights;
- IP and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises;
- Enforcement of IP rights; and
- IP, unfair competition and antitrust law.
The WIPO Academy Joint Master’s Programs in IP combine a distance learning phase, a residential phase on campus of partner universities and a dissertation / final research project phase. Skilled and experienced faculty members teach on the courses covered across programs. Teaching methods include:
- lectures,
- case studies,
- group discussions, and
- in some cases skills development and distance learning.
Where possible, participants are given the opportunity for a hands-on experience through internships at WIPO, regional IP offices, national IP offices or in private companies.
The application processes and fees for the Joint Master’s Programs on IP differ from program to program, as the partner universities involved require different admission requirements and incur varying course fees. Please consult the admission details provided for each program on the WIPO eLearning Center. Applications must be submitted on both the WIPO eLearning Center and the partner university website.
Scholarships for these Joint Master’s Programs are available to qualified nationals from relevant public sector institutions and universities in developing countries, LDCs and countries with economies in transition. Applications must be supported by their respective governments and academic institutions.
Interested candidates from developed countries are also welcome to apply and, if admitted, must finance their tuition, accommodation and travel costs.
Testimonials from the WIPO Academy’s Joint Master’s Programs Alumni
Over 2,500 graduates have completed the WIPO Academy Joint Master’s Programs in IP since it launched in 2002.
"By studying IP, I felt like I could make a difference in my country to help ensure that it has a system of IP protection for entrepreneurs, innovators and creators. WIPO was an amazing source of support during my studies, and KDI School was a great place to study. The professors were all great experts in their fields of IP and the participants all brought different perspectives on IP given their different country backgrounds.” – Liliyana da Silva, WIPO Academy alumna (Timor-Leste).
(Photo: KDI School)
"I strongly encourage my fellow Latin American scholars to enroll in the Joint Master’s Program in IP and Innovation offered by WIPO and the University of San Andrés, because you won’t only walk away with the knowledge to strengthen society, but you will also gain a supportive community of alumni from the program. It really creates a fertile ground to build a scholarly community, and an invaluable support system.” – Micaela Mantegna, WIPO Academy alumna (Argentina)
(Photo: Micaela Mantegna)
"The Master’s degree program with the WIPO Academy, OAPI and University of Yaoundé II was very practical and very intensive but I felt very supported by the organizers. I appreciated that the students on the program came from all over the world. To this day I am still in touch with the alumni from my cohort and we support each other whenever possible. It is a great support system.” – Amah Dondinaa Gnassingbe, WIPO Academy alumnus (Togo)
(Photo: Amah Dondinaa Gnassingbe)
"The training on the commercialization of IP that we were provided during our studies inspired us to use our legal expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to promote the protection of local arts and traditional knowledge. We decided to go from classmates to professional partners with the start of our innovative law firm, 'Apeiron Law & IP'. Our collaboration with the art gallery 'Apeiron Art+' in İstanbul is disrupting the traditional legal industry with the focus on contemporary art consisting of the Anatolian cultural heritage. Our art collective, also based in Istanbul, introduces local artists and aims to create a platform that brings together different styles from various regions, and invites the world to engage with Anatolia's hidden cultural heritage.” – Berra Aktan and İlay Yüce, WIPO Academy alumni (Türkiye).
(Photo: Berra Aktan and İlay Yüce)
"The MIP with the WIPO Academy, ARIPO and Africa University has shaped my IP dreams, thinking capacity, and experiences. Moreover, it has connected me to the world class of IP professionals.” – Moses Range, WIPO Academy alumnus (United Republic of Tanzania).
(Photo: Moses Range)
"It was a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the world at the ITC-ILO Campus in Turin, and it also enabled me to develop a resourceful professional network which is very helpful to have. Academically, the LL.M. added value to my CV and gave me a plethora of technical knowledge on IP, as it is a technically excellent program.” – Sofia Ludovica Barabino, WIPO Academy alumna (Italy)
(Photo: Sofia Ludovica Barabino)
"I strongly believe that WIPO-Tongji University MIP is a great opportunity to learn and explore new regimes of IP and technology commercialization at the international level. As a result of this program, I have not only built a very strong network with individuals from different parts of the world, but also developed a strong professional profile in the areas of IP, innovation and technology transfer.” – Mohsin Ali, WIPO Academy alumnus (Pakistan)
(Photo: WIPO/Berrod)
