Master of Intellectual Property Law and Data Law (MIPDaL) Dresden University of Technology

The Erasmus Mundus MIPDaL programme is a high-level and integrated international study programme at Master's level aimed at providing top level graduate students from all over the world with advanced training in IP & data law. Six renowned universities from Germany, France, Estonia, Spain and the UK are parties of the MIPDaL Consortium that set up the programme.

The programme is based on strong interaction between research, teaching and legal practice.

Based on the cooperation between the consortium partners, it delivers a top quality and broad legal basis as well as a top-level individual specialisations in one of three fields:

• IT & Data Law
• Creative Industries
• Industrial Property Law

In accordance with the EACA programme guidelines, the programme leads to a jointly awarded dual degree diploma (e.g. LLM, Master of Laws, ...) from each of the two consortium partners where the student has studied.

MIPDaL can be your future if:

• You have obtained a job qualifying degree of at least 240 ECTS in law or at least 80% of the credit points of such a degree
• You count among the top-level students of your class
• You have a keen interest in exploring the topics covered by MIPDaL in greater depth
• Your proficiency of the English language corresponds to C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

MIPDaL students will:

• learn the main concepts, methods, legal enforcement and regulations of different areas of IP & data law
• become familiar with “the state of the art” in the major fields of IP & data law
• learn to grasp and assess the differences and similarities between national legal systems from a European perspective in a number of specific areas of IP & data law, especially with regard to an area of their particular interest

Teaching languages:

• The teaching and examination language is English exclusively at TUD, TalTech, QMUL and UoE.
• The teaching and examination language is also French (at UNISTRA/CEIPI) and Spanish (at UC3M).

General Information

Students can choose to follow one of three different tracks in the MIPDaL programme: the IT & Data Law track, the Creative Industries track and the Industrial Property Law track. Whilst the first semester topics are very similar across all tracks and at all universities, specialisation starts in the second semester with specialised courses per track and university partner.

Students can choose tracks indicating their study interests upon application. However, they will need to follow the general mobility rules of the programme. All students need to study at two different universities, which have to be different from the country of residence of the student at the time of enrolment.

MIPDaL provides a student-centred curriculum, based on a strong interaction between research and education. By the cooperation between the consortium partners, it delivers a top quality and broad multidisciplinary basis as well as a top-level individual specialisation in one of three disciplines:

• IT & Data Law
• Creative Industries
• Industrial Property Law

During the first semester, it is assured that students from different educational backgrounds will receive the necessary foundation of IP & data law, provided by a virtual introductory session, followed by lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials in modules with regards to patent law, trademark & design law, IT & data law and copyright law in order to continue with more specialised subjects in the second semester, according to each student’s choice and professional and academic interests in the three disciplines / specialisation tracks.

Duration

The programme covers one academic year, for which successful students will receive 60 ECTS. The academic year (September to August) is divided into two semesters. The first semester starts in the beginning of September, and it lasts until the 15 January. The second semester lasts from January until the very beginning of September. The thesis deadline is at the end of August each year. The unique international character of the MIPDaL programme is secured through an intensive co-operation between six European universities and also non-European partners.

Students study at two different universities. In the first semester, students can choose among four teaching universities. In the last semester, students have the choice of five different locations.

The first semester courses are introductory courses as well as core courses on the major topics in IP & data law. In the second semester, students take specialised courses according to their individual career plans and write their Master's theses.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)
University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA)
Tallin University of Technology (TalTech)
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
University of Exeter (UoE)

Integrated internships are provided.

Applications for a place on the MIPDaL programme can be submitted from 1 October of the preceding year.

The application deadline for scholarships is on 15 January.

The application deadlines for self-funded students are on 15 January (the early bird application deadline), on 15 March and on 15 June.

The two countries of study are not identical to the student's country of residence at the time of enrolment.

• Successful applicants have obtained a job qualifying degree of at least 240 ECTS (four years) in law, according to the regulations of the country where they have obtained their degree(s) and which is recognised in all countries of the participating partners (e.g. a three-year Bachelor’s programme + a first Master’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor’s programme).

• If at the time of application, proof of the first university degree is not yet available, the applicant will be included in the assessment procedure if 80% of the CP attainable through the degree are already proven by means of completed module examinations or the final thesis and, if applicable, the colloquium by means of certification from the university of origin. The requirement of submitting all other proofs mentioned with the application remain unaffected by this. A conditional offer will be made to meet the requirements by a specified date.

• Successful applicants count to the top-level students of their class. They should hold a law degree, or a degree with substantial law content, that the admitting partner institutions deem equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree with Upper Second Class honours. 

• Successful applicants show their motivation for subjects related to MIPDaL focuses.

• Language competencies: For degrees delivered in the English language, proficiency is required at C1 level (in exceptional cases B2+) CEFR. For degrees delivered also in French or Spanish, proficiency is required at C1 level (French) and B2 level (Spanish).

The following documents have to be uploaded (PDF preferred):

• Transcripts and certificates of all study at higher education/university level
• Officially certified copy of university transcript of records (including English translation)
• Statement of purpose
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of English, and if applicable, French or Spanish proficiency (officially certified copy)
• Copy of identification card

Applications that are not received in full, in due form or in due time are excluded from further proceedings. An academic reference letter is highly recommended.

At TU Dresden, the administration fee is included in the tuition fee and includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

At other universities of the consortium, the amount and benefits may vary.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 900 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

The MIPDaL is a full time programme. As such, we discourage taking a side job, since you have to be available for classes during the week. Class attendance is highly recommended (if not obligatory), except in case of absence for documented medical reasons or other exceptional circumstances.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

• Erasmus Mundus scholarships
• Erasmus+
• SECAI Scholarship Programmes
• Partial fee waiver

Dresden University of Technology offers plenty of counselling and training within its Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and aid to optimise their CVs. Moreover, they support students who want to connect with potential employers.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 280 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.