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Advanced Master Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management (LLM/MSc)

Admission requirements

On this page, you will find important details of the application process (such as deadlines, admission requirements, required documents and application assessment) for the advanced master's programme in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management (LLM/MSc) for the academic year 2025-2026.

The information on this page is for students who would like to start in academic year 2025-2026. Please click here to look into the admission requirements for academic year 2024-2025.

Important deadlines for application

The master's programme in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management starts in September. 
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2025.

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Date What you need to know about this date
1 October 2024 Studielink is open for applications for the academic year 2025-2026

1 May 2025, 23:59 CET

 Deadline for completing the entire application process for non-EU/EEA applicants (these applicants require a visa or residence permit)
15 July 2025, 23:59 CET Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland

 

General requirements: previous education

The admission requirements for academic year 2025/26 for the advanced master’s programme in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management (LLM/MSc) depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Candidates for admission to the LLM track

  • you must have a recognised university bachelor’s degree (Dutch, 2.1 (upper second) degree or equivalent) in law, or from a related field: economics, political science or international relations. All with demonstrable knowledge of intellectual property law or knowledge management

OR

  • have a recognised university master’s degree (Dutch or equivalent) in law or related fields such as economics, political science or international relations. Demonstrable knowledge of intellectual property law or knowledge management will be considered favourably

Candidates for admission to the MSc track

  • you must have a recognised university bachelor’s degree (Dutch, 2.1 (upper second) degree or equivalent) in science or technology (or equivalent). All with demonstrable knowledge of intellectual property law or knowledge management

OR

  • have a recognised university master’s degree (Dutch or equivalent) in science or technology (or equivalent). Demonstrable knowledge of intellectual property law or knowledge management will be considered favourably.

Additional requirements

English language requirements

All candidates must prove their proficiency in academic English. You can do so by uploading one of the following two language proficiency certificates under the task ‘Prove English language proficiency’ in the MyApplication portal:

 an IELTS certificate (International English Language Testing System) with either:
- an overall score of at least 6.5 AND a score of at least 6.5 in both writing and speaking
- an overall score of 7 or higher

 an internet-based TOEFL certificate (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with either:
- an overall score of 90 AND a score of at least 25 in both writing and speaking
- an overall score of 100 or higher

Documents required for application process

During the application process for this study programme, you will need to complete a number of tasks for which you will often have to upload documents. The list below gives you an insight into what documents you will (and might) need to prepare.

Required documents for all applicants to this study programme

A recent portrait picture*
This picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the task description 'Upload portrait picture' in the MyApplication portal. 

A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card**
Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this copy as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.

A copy of your most recent grades transcript and a copy of your diploma if you have obtained it. If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor's programme

  • Curriculum Vitae
    All candidates must provide a CV. Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
     
  • Letter of motivation
    All candidates must write a well-prepared and structured letter of motivation for this specific master’s programme. The letter should explain your motivation for choosing this specific master’s programme. It should also include an overview of what you intend to learn and how this programme fits into your future professional plans. The letter must be dated and addressed to the Board of Admissions of the Faculty of Law.
     
  • Two letters of recommendation
    All candidates should provide two relevant letters of recommendation. These letters should preferably be from academic staff members.
     
  • A questionnaire on your professional experience, language proficiency and financing your education at UM
    You can download (and, once filled in, upload) this questionnaire in the MyApplication portal.
     
  • Documents that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    One of the two language proficiency certificates as mentioned under ‘English Language requirements’ on this page.

Please note: only complete registrations will be taken into consideration. All documents must be in Dutch, English or German.

* For current UM students it is not necessary to upload a recent portrait picture in the MyApplication portal.
** For current UM students it is not necessary to upload this document in the MyApplication portal. Unless your passport is not valid on 1 September 2025; in that case you do have to upload a copy of your passport. You will be notified of this with a specific task in the MyApplication portal. 

How do we assess your application?

When you want to apply or are applying to this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this here.

For this master's programme selection takes place on the basis of your quality and suitability. For this your motivation, previous education and your (academic) experience are important.

Note: only complete applications will be assessed. We therefore recommend that you adhere to the deadlines provided in the table under ‘Important deadlines for application to this study programme’ on this page. We strive to assess your application and communicate the result to you within three to four weeks.