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Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice

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  • Level of study:
    Professional
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    October 2026
  • Duration:
    10 months
  • Attendance:
    Part-time
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (City Campus)
Group of mature students

About this course

What is the Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice (PCTMP)?

The Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice (“PCTMP”) is the final vocational course and assessment for trainee registered trade mark and designs attorneys. The PCTMP is a part-time course and is assessed by oral and written examinations.

It is important to note that it is a “Professional Certificate” rather than a “Post Graduate Certificate”. The course has been designed to help you to develop practical skills alongside work in the office. The use of a professional certificate as a learning and assessment framework is deliberate. A Professional Certificate focuses on the development of knowledge, understanding and skills in professional and work-based practice. For example, you will see that there are assessments in Advocacy before the Registry, Searching and Clearance Reports, and Interviewing and Advising. These are the practical skills used by trademark attorneys on a daily basis. The course seeks to develop case analysis and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to reach sound judgements. The ability to communicate with clients effectively, both orally and in writing, is central to the teaching and assessment strategy.

Am I ready to take the PCTMP?

This is an important question for you, and for your employer.

The IPReg Competency Framework is a useful central criteria and we recommend that you discuss the framework with your employer.

Review both the general skills set and the technical competency requirements.

  • Look at the type of work you are actually doing in the office. Don’t guess.
    As a guide, set aside a period of five days and look, in a critical way, at your timesheet or diary. Consider how much time you spend on administrative or procedural work or substantive legal advice, drafting, research and reporting;
  • How many of the IPReg technical competencies can you claim as part of your training to date?
    For instance, have you completed a first draft of a specification? Have you helped to prepare a Clearance Report with a colleague? Have you drafted any witness statements for use in Registry Proceedings or coexistence agreements? Whilst your draft may not have formed much of the final version, you should be able to point to an attempt, or to a review of a draft completed by a more experienced colleague.
  • Do I need to do more work in the office before starting the PCTMP?
    If you find that you cannot claim most of the technical competencies at the IPREG Basic Level, and at least some of the competencies at the intermediate level, you may need to do some additional work before you are ready to undertake the PCTMP.

What should I do if I decide that I am not ready to take the PCTMP this year?

This is a personal choice. Review the competencies and reflect critically on where you are right now. It is important for you to get the most out of the course and to be able to contribute to discussions and debates.

In the past, some students have suggested that they found it helpful (or would have found it helpful) to “have a break” between the Postgraduate/Foundation year and the PCTMP. In addition, if you have diagnosed a gap in your knowledge or skill base, think about the best way to address it.

  • Do you need to do some additional drafting work?
  • Would it help to be seconded in-house (if in private practice) or to a trademark or law firm if, you work for a brand owner?
  • Could you ask for support from a mentor to help you to work through some of the IPREG Competencies?
  • Do you need to do more oppositions and contentious work if you work only on filings?
  • Would you find it helpful to speak with a PCTMP alumnus on an informal basis to discuss the workload and how best to prepare for the course?

Successful completion of the PCTMP is not the end of the road to qualification. You must satisfy IPReg, by way of Statutory Declaration, of your “substantial experience” in trade mark work and your character and suitability to be a Trade Mark and Designs Attorney.

This Certificate, designed by Nottingham Law School in conjunction with CITMA, is focused on the development of the knowledge base and professional skills required of the trade mark attorney.

About the course

This course:

  • has been designed specifically for CITMA trainees and has been approved by CITMA / IPREG
  • is skills-based and built upon the same course delivery techniques as the Legal Practice Course for solicitors and the Bar Professional Training Course for barristers
  • is designed to use a variety of teaching techniques such as interactive lectures, role play and case study exercises and facilitated discussion groups
  • is essentially practical, based on an experiential or learning by doing method of delivery
  • uses an eLearning platform called NOW, to enable you to stay in touch with the Law School throughout the course
  • utilises the skills of practising trade mark attorneys addition to members of Nottingham Law School faculty (a number of practising trade mark attorneys have undertaken a course called Train the Trainers to enable them to develop their skills as tutors in readiness for the course)
  • uses a method of rotating assessments, meaning that some assessments are taken and then banked by the student during the course
  • carries university credits and is also graded, like the Nottingham Law School LPC, into Distinction, Commendation and Pass
  • is delivered in a way that suits busy schedules and minimises the time spent away from the office
  • recognises that you will be in private practice or working in-house during the course and seeks to enable you to apply your knowledge and skills to your own practice as soon as possible.
  • The course is structured to minimise the time spent away from the office and is taught by a mix of assignments and attendance.

Further information

This course has been approved by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg).

It does not currently offer placements.

  • Benefit from our excellent reputation

    Celebrating our 60th anniversary, we're one of the UK's largest and most established law schools.

  • Expert-led instructions

    Learn from experienced practitioners and academics who provide insights into the nuances of Trade Mark Practice, enhancing both theoretical understanding and practical application.

  • Seamless study for working professionals

    Designed to fit around your professional commitments, this 10-month course is delivered in focused, intensive blocks - reducing time away from work while giving you maximum impact in every session.

  • Flexible online learning support via NOW Portal

    Access course materials, pre-reading, lecture recordings, legal databases like Westlaw, and engage with tutors and peers through NTU’s virtual learning platform, NOW, anytime and anywhere.

The course closely simulates the real working life of trade mark practitioners in-house and in private practice, guiding you from initial client interviews through trade mark searching, filing, and strategic advice. Module 1 focuses on selecting, searching, and registering trade marks, while Module 2 covers prosecution, objections, oppositions, and international filing options. Module 3 introduces litigation practice in the IPEC and includes running a case through the court process. Completing the litigation module enables you to apply to IPREG for the Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Student experience

  • Harrison Lee

    Harrison Lee

    “It is a good course and good opportunity to learn from outside your firm. It is also beneficial for introducing many of the students to at least some scenarios that they will yet to have encountered in practice.”

    Read Harrison's profile

Video Gallery

Find out more about the Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice course.
 

How you're taught

Study routes

You will study part-time over 10 months, usually beginning in October and ending in July the following year on submission of the reflective report. The course is built around intensive study units, usually running from Wednesday to Saturday, allowing work to be completed at a time that is convenient to you.

eLearning

The course does not consist solely of a limited number of study units in Nottingham. You will also make use of our eLearning facilities. NOW (NTU Online Work space) is a virtual learning portal and a resource which can be accessed from your computer at home or in the office. Course materials, recordings of lectures and assessments can be downloaded and viewed from your computer.

In addition, you will be able to access library resources such as Westlaw and Kerly's. NOW can also be used to form online discussion groups. It will be possible for you to contact your personal tutor and group tutors via NOW, to obtain feedback or to ask questions.

It is hoped that NOW will enable a collegiate feeling to develop between faculty and students. You remain a student of the Law School, no matter where you are geographically. NOW provides a mechanism for you to stay in touch, both with your tutors and each other. Find out more about the NOW system on our website.

Course dates

Module/ UnitDates
Introduction Session (Via MS Teams)13 October 2025
Module 1, Unit 1 (in person) 15 – 18 October 2025
Module 1, Unit 2 (in person) 26 – 28 November 2025
Module 2, Unit 1 (in person)21 – 24 January 2026
Module 2, Unit 2 (in person)4 – 6 March 2026
Interviewing Assessment (Via MS Teams) 20 March 2026
Paper 1 Written Assessment (In Person)16 April 2026
Paper 2 Written Assessment (In Person)17 April 2026
Searching and Advising Assessment (24 Hour Take and Do)30 April - 1 May 2026
Module 3 (In Person)2 – 5 June 2026
Advocacy assessment (Via MS Teams)19 June 2026
Paper 3 Written Assessment (In Person)26 June 2026

Who will teach you?

  • Joy Davies

    Joy Davies

    Principal Lecturer

    Joy Davies is a Principal Lecturer at the Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University and mostly teaches on the practitioner courses.

    Visit Joy Davies's staff profile
  • Peter Vaughan photo

    Peter Vaughan

    Associate Professor

    Peter Vaughan is an Associate Professor at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University and practising Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at NLS Legal.

    Visit Peter Vaughan's staff profile

  • Jane Jarman

    Professor

    Jane Jarman is a Solicitor and a Professor of Legal Practice at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University.

    Visit Jane Jarman's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

Applicants should normally have either:

  • successfully undertaken a course of study in trade mark law approved for the purpose by the  Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) and have employment in trade mark related practice (defined as a trademark attorney's office, solicitor's office, barristers' chambers, or the relevant department of a company, public authority or other public sector organisation, or a professional body)
  • in the opinion of the programme leader and of IPReg, have equivalent qualifications or experience that will equip them to complete the course successfully.

International students

Applicants should normally have either:

  • successfully undertaken a course of study in trade mark law approved for the purpose by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) and have employment in trade mark related practice (defined as a trademark attorney's office, solicitor's office, barristers' chambers, or the relevant department of a company, public authority or other public sector organisation, or a professional body)
  • in the opinion of the programme leader and of IPReg, have equivalent qualifications or experience that will equip them to complete the course successfully.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.
  • £9,700

Career Development loans may be available. For further information please visit the Gov.uk website.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £9,700

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Careers and employability

  • Employability Promise

    Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

  • Your graduate salary

    Recent graduates from this course are typically earning £50,000 within 15 months after leaving NTU. And don’t forget, our Employability team can help you to progress into your first graduate role with CV and interview support, jobs fairs, and more.

  • Graduate employers

    Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as:

    • Baker McKenzie
    • CMS Legal
    • Pinsent Masons LLP
    • Mishcon de Reya
    • Withers Worldwide
    • Wiggin LLP
    • Dyson Ltd

  • Our graduates are…

    Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:

    • Trade Mark Attorney
    • Associate
    • Equity Partner
    • Trade Mark Trainee

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

Applying

UK students

For a step-by-step guide on making an application to the University please visit our how to apply page.

Apply now

International students

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

We advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as Student visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Apply now

Personal statement guidance

When you apply to NTU, we’ll ask you to submit a personal statement – here are our tips on what to include and how to structure your personal statement.

Application support

If you have any questions about applying, get in touch through our online form or call us on 44 (0)115 848 4200.

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Keeping in touch

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