I have a Maths degree – can I train as a patent attorney?

While your mathematics degree does count as a technical degree in the sense that you would require only the shorter qualifying period for becoming a European Patent Agent (3 years instead of the 6 years for non-technical degree subjects), Withers & Rogers will invariably require a degree in science or engineering - ideally as a first degree, but possibly as a second - for someone training as a patent attorney. Other Patent Firms may have different policies.

I have a PhD – do I have to complete all the exams?

Doctorates and other academic qualifications do not provide exemptions from the training process. A number of universities (e.g. Queen Mary, London, University of Manchester) provide course in IP Law, which, if passed, gains an exemption from the foundation examinations. Withers & Rogers, however, generally prefers its trainees to go through the foundation examination system.

I have been to QMUL – how should I apply?

While passing the QMUL MSc in IP Law, or one of the similar courses from other universities, means that you are exempt from the foundation examinations, Withers & Rogers will generally assess such candidates as part of its graduate entry – in other words, against those contemporaries who will go through the exemptions. We may even suggest, or possibly require, any successful applicants to do the foundation examinations as well, as we feel that this gives a more practical basis to your career as an attorney.

I only have a third class degree - is it worth me applying?

Patent and trade mark work is intellectually demanding, and we do generally wish candidates with a good degree -a First or Upper Second. If you didn’t achieve that we do not bar you automatically, but other aspects of your CV will have to compensate, and you can expect to be questioned even more thoroughly on your academic ability and technical knowledge.

I cannot speak French or German – does this matter?

French or German is essential for the European examinations, so it is useful if you already have abilities in one or other of these. There is, however, plenty of time for you to learn one of these languages, and we often provide German language instruction (which, in the longer run, is more useful - see below) at our offices.

I can speak Norwegian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Arabic – is this an advantage?

While fluency in any foreign languages may be useful, German is the most useful European language for patent attorneys, as most hearings at the European Patent Office are held in Munich (although many are now also held in the Hague, and others occasionally in Berlin), and most non-English EP applications are in German rather than in French.