Master in
Master of Advanced Studies in International Law and Economics (MILE)
World Trade Institute
Key Information
Campus location
Bern, Switzerland
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
CHF 18,000 **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Sep 2023
* applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if places remain available; rolling admission. Early applications will be given priority
** for both full and part-time studies
Introduction
Established in 1999, the Master of Advanced Studies in International Law and Economics (MILE) is the flagship programme of the World Trade Institute. It is one of the world’s leading programmes of advanced studies in the field of international trade regulation and has close ties to the WTI’s research portfolio. The programme uniquely combines a multidisciplinary perspective with a strong applied focus. In addition to our resident faculty, we bring in the world’s leading trade experts from law firms, international organisations, policy research institutes and top universities.
What we offer
- A one-year, intensive graduate programme (can also be taken part-time)
- Teaching and guidance from world-class scholars and practitioners - recruited from leading universities, international organisations, think tanks and global law firms
- Highly applicable real-world knowledge and the latest research developments in international trade and investment regulation and economics
- A vibrant alumni network with over 600 members worldwide
- Strong networks and mentoring programmes to help students secure internships and entry-level positions
What you bring
- The MILE is designed for students and professionals with a background in law, economics, international relations or political science who wish to embark on a career in international trade and investment
MILE structure and regulations
The MILE is a non-consecutive Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) conferred by the World Trade Institute, University of Bern. The MILE programme counts for 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System Points).
Course work accounts for 75 ECTS, and the mandatory master’s thesis is awarded 15 ECTS.
Regular course attendance is required from mid-September until the end of June, with the master’s thesis being researched and written over the summer. The programme can also be taken on a part-time basis within three years.
The MILE begins with a foundational semester during which students are given a solid basis in international economic law, international micro- and macroeconomics and global political economy. The second semester consists of courses based on lectures and case studies that deliver an in-depth analysis of relevant topics in international trade and investment.
As part of many of the MILE courses, students are regularly given writing assignments to be completed within a short time frame. These assignments are designed to prepare students for real-world scenarios and reflect what is expected of professionals working in the fields of international trade and investment.
The MILE programme culminates in a challenging yet rewarding moot court exercise – a simulation of a fictitious trade dispute between two countries in front of a panel composed of top WTO law experts.
Admissions
Curriculum
The MILE curriculum is interdisciplinary, combining law, economics and political science. You will study the global economy, international macroeconomics and applied economics, trade facilitation, competition law, investment law, dispute settlement, trade remedies and much more. The WTI attaches great importance to its teaching methods. Courses consist of lectures and case studies, offering students opportunities for classroom discussions, group workshops, and individual research. For a full list of available courses, please refer to the MILE curriculum (link to the right).
External participants interested in taking single weekly courses can do so on an à la carte basis as a part of our Winter and Summer Academies. Visit the Winter and Summer Academy page for a current list of à la carte courses, course descriptions, and fee information.
For questions about the curriculum, please contact the Academic Coordinator.
Fall Semester Courses (14 September to 24 December 2022)
14, 15 & 16 September
Induction days at the WTI
Foundations of Economics
19 September – 23 December
Lecturers: Achim Vogt, Irene Garcés Iriarte, Patrick Tomberger (Microeconomics) & Octavio Fernandez- Amador (Macroeconomics)
ECTS: 15
International Trade Regulation
19 September – 23 December
Lecturer: Michael Hahn
ECTS: 10
International Investment Law
19 September – 23 December
Lecturer: Rodrigo Polanco
ECTS: 5
Academic Support
29 September, 27 October, 17 November, 8 December and 15 December
Lecturers: Peter Van den Bossche and Rodrigo Polanco
Global Political Economy
19 September – 23 December
Lecturer: Manfred Elsig
ECTS: 5
Global Economic Governance Seminars – Fall Series
19 September – 23 December
ECTS: 1.5
The syllabus will be up soon
Every session features an expert lecturer.
**Other optional courses available at UNIBE
Winter Academy Courses 2023
WTO Law on Border Measures and Trade Facilitation
23 – 27 January 2023
Monday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Roy Santana
ECTS: 3
WTO Law on Anti-Dumping and Safeguard Measures
30 January – 3 February 2023
Monday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Fernando Piérola and Edwin Vermulst
ECTS: 3
WTO Law on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
6 - 10 February 2023 (Take-home assessment on 11 February)
Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: James Flett and Luca Rubini
ECTS: 3
The Law and Policy of Trade in Services
13 - 17 February 2023 (Take-home assessment on 18 February)
Monday – Thursday 9 am – 4 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Pierre Sauvé and Jan Bohanes
ECTS: 3
Spring Semester Courses (21 February – 24 July 2022)
International Economic Dispute Resolution
21 February – 3 June 2022
Lecturer: Peter Van den Bossche
ECTS: 5
International Economic Law and the Pursuit of Core Societal Values and Interests
21 February – 3 June 2022
Lecturer: Peter Van den Bossche
ECTS: 5
International Economics II (Block course)
18 March, 25 March, 1 April 2022
Lecturers: Patrick Tomberger, Valentino Desilvestro, Selina Hauser, Achim Vogt
ECTS: 15
*Course description coming soon.
Sustainable Development and Environment
7 March - 20 May 2022
Lecturer: Patrick Tomberger, Hugo Rojas-Romagosa
ECTS: 3
Global Economic Governance Seminars - Spring Series
21 February – 3 June 2022
ECTS: 1.5
Every session features an expert lecturer.
Introduction to International Negotiations
18 and 25 March, 1 and 8 April 2022
Lecturers: Felix Addor, Katie Rüeggsegger
ECTS: 3
*This course is also open to external participants
**Other optional courses available at UNIBE
Scholarships and Funding
Full tuition waiver
A full tuition waiver will be awarded to one person for outstanding performance during the Grand Final of the Final Oral Round of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition (formerly ELSA Moot Court).
Global Impact Association (GIA) Scholarships
The newly launched Global Impact Association (GIA) offers scholarships to talented students from least-developed and developing countries who wish to pursue advanced master's studies in international economic law and policy.
If you are a Bulgarian national, you are eligible for the exclusive financial support of the Fonds Katzarovi, specially designed for Graduate and PostGraduate studies in Switzerland. Deadline 15 March.
Internship programmes
The Global Impact Association (GIA) provides financial and/or other support to WTI master's students who wish to do an internship upon completion of their studies.
John H. Jackson Internship Scholarship
The John H. Jackson Internship Scholarship was set up to honour the legacy of John Jackson, the most influential academic of his era in the field of international trade law and policy. Prof. Jackson was a long-term friend and supporter of the WTI. Established in close consultation with his family, the Scholarship offers financial support to one WTI master's student each year to pursue an unpaid internship at an NGO or public institution. During his or her internship, the student will be expected to work on a multidisciplinary project relating to trade and/or investment law and policy.
Luzius Wasescha Internship Scholarship
Named after the late Luzius Wasescha, the former Swiss ambassador to the WTO and long-term Chair of the WTI Board, the Luzius Wasescha Internship Scholarship allows one WTI master's student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at an international organisation, a Geneva-based diplomatic mission, non-governmental organisation or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
Thomas Cottier Internship Scholarship
The Thomas Cottier Internship Scholarship was set up to honour Thomas Cottier, the founder and first Managing Director and Director of Studies of the World Trade Institute (WTI). This Internship Programme allows one WTI master’s student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at an international organization, diplomatic mission, non-governmental organization or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
Geneva Internship Scholarship
Funded by Pierre Sauvé, Senior Trade Specialist at the World Bank Group in Geneva, and WTI faculty member, the Geneva Internship Fund offers financial assistance to one deserving WTI master's student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at a Geneva-based international organisation, diplomatic mission or non-governmental organisation active in the field of international economic law and policy. Eligibility for financial support is contingent on a candidate’s selection to an unpaid internship in Geneva subsequent to completing WTI course work, financial need, overall academic performance at the WTI, quality of participation in WTI courses taught by the sponsor and propensity to laugh heartily at all his jokes. Students interested in being considered for financial assistance should send a short motivational message to Pierre Sauvé by 15 June. Funding decisions will be announced annually at the Closing Ceremony of the MILE and TRAIL+ programmes.
Internship opportunities at international law firms and organisations
Other internship opportunities to well-qualified WTI graduate students include:
- Appleton Luff, Brussels
- Fratini Vergano, Brussels
- VVGB, Brussels, Brussels
- WTI Advisors, Geneva
- Universal Postal Union, Bern
Student Testimonials
Gallery
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Many of our alumni have launched highly successful careers in a number of different sectors:
- International organisations, including WTO, World Bank, UNCTAD, WIPO, UNEP, ITC, and regional development banks
- National ministries of trade, investment, finance and foreign affairs
- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs
- European Commission
- Private sector including PwC, JP Morgan, Audi Forum Ingolstadt, Syngenta, Novartis, Japan Tobacco International
- Leading law firms with a trade and investment practice, including the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL)
- Industry associations
- Non-governmental organisations