Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law at Stellenbosch University

Programme overview

This coursework diploma gives introductory, practice-driven knowledge of intellectual property through the law of trademarks, patents, designs, copyright and digital aspects of IP. It is described as the only one of its kind.

Faculty: Law | Department: Mercantile Law | Duration: One year | Intake: Applications 1 Apr 2026 to 30 Oct 2026 (domestic and international) | Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Students complete any four 30-credit modules (120 credits) from Copyright Law, Trademark Law, Patent Law and the Law of Registered Design, and one of Intellectual Property Law in the Digital Environment, Competition Law or Economic Perspectives of Law (only one of these three), or a 7,500-10,000 word research assignment with the coordinator's permission. Not all modules run every year.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Selection programme limited to ten students per year. Applicants need a BSc, BCom, BEng or LLB, or any other NQF 7 qualification, or work/exposure in IP law that Senate deems suitable under the Recognition of Prior Learning policy. A final-year average of at least 65% in the undergraduate degree is required (except for an LLB). The diploma must be the first choice (or second choice after the LLM). Applicants submit a satisfactory selection essay and a one-page motivational letter.

The application fee is R100 for South African citizens, permanent residents and refugee, asylum seeker and diplomatic status holders, and R400 for international applicants. Stellenbosch Business School applicants pay R1050 for the MBA and R850 for other SBS programmes. Some applicants are exempt; application fees are non-refundable.

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