World Trade Institute (WTI)

The Law School

Established in 1999, the World Trade Institute (WTI) is a centre of advanced studies and a forum for interdisciplinary research, training and advisory services in international trade law and economics.

As a centre of excellence of the University of Bern, the WTI hosts an international and multidisciplinary group of academics, students and professionals working to contribute significantly to global capacity building in the field of trade regulation. Researchers and practitioners at the cutting edge of policy research pool their expertise, making the Institute a living laboratory for interdisciplinary thinking and new ideas. The WTI pursues different lines of activity in the fields of research, training, and advisory services. It cooperates closely with the University of Bern’s Department of Economic Law, with which it shares its premises. In addition, the WTI regularly organises events with high-calibre speakers.

The Program

The Master of International Law and Economics (MILE) is the World Trade Institute's flagship programme on international trade regulation. During the one-year course, students from all over the world are taught the law, economics and politics of international trade by experts from law firms, ministries, international organisations, research institutions and top universities.

The MILE's aim is to equip future decision-makers with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in trade diplomacy. We carefully design the MILE's curriculum to achieve this objective.

In the first term, from October until December, students are introduced to the basics of trade theory, the foundations of international law and the political economy shaping the international trading system. The second term, from January until March, and the third term, from April until July, are taught in modules. Each one focuses on a specific topic in trade regulation, e.g. tariff barriers or the protection of intellectual property rights. A Moot Court, an event where students get to apply the acquired skills and knowledge in a simulation of WTO panel proceedings, highlights the end of the year. From July until the end of September, students are asked to research and write their master's thesis.

In total, the MILE consists of 34 intense weeks of instruction with about 20 hours of classes per week. The first term is assessed through mid- and end-term exams. The modules in terms two and three are assessed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.



Why do the MILE?

Get a MILE ahead: Critical thinking, in-depth knowledge and a set of relevant skills prepare you for a career in the field of international trade.

Learn from the best: An outstanding faculty of experts, drawn from the ranks of academia, international organisations and leading law firms share their knowledge with you.

Become part of a truly global network: As an alumni you will join a select community of experts shaping the international trading system.

Experience new ways of learning: Instruction is interdisciplinary, linking economic, legal and international relations' perspectives. Many courses are co-taught by experts with different academic backgrounds.

Live and study in an international environment: The WTI attracts students from all over the world, every one with a distinct academic and/or professional background.

See research up close: The WTI hosts the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research on Trade Regulation, giving students the possibility to interact daily with professors, postdoc researchers and PhD students.

Enjoy the beauty of Bern and Switzerland: The WTI is located in Switzerland's capital and in close proximity to Geneva, host city to leading institutions of global trade and governance.

Start a career: The WTI is well connected with firms and institutions employing MILE graduates and supports you in getting the job which is right for you.


The MILE is right for you if

... you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field, such as economics, law or international relations.

... you are interested in learning more about international trade.

... you ideally have had some exposure to international trade issues.

... you view an in-depth focus on international trade as a good foundation for your future professional, academic and intellectual development.

... you have a very good working knowledge of English.

Entry Requirements

The World Trade Institute accepts up to 50 applicants per year. The main criterion for admission is a sound academic and/or professional background in a discipline relating to the MILE programme, preferably law, economics or international relations (either undergraduate degree plus some professional experience or completed master studies or similar). The selection process is non-discriminatory as to country of origin, nationality, gender or age. The World Trade Institute makes an effort to admit students from developing and transition countries, possibly with scholarships provided by donor organizations.

Application Procedure

The deadline for fall admission to the MILE programme is April 30. In order to apply, send us:

A completed application form (the form can be downloaded from our website or requested by sending an email to inquire@wti.org), your CV, copies of your university degree(s) and transcripts in English, a statement of purpose indicating why you would like to study in the MILE programme, a personal statement introducing yourself, two letters of recommendation, and test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not your native language.

Please note that a supplement explaining the grading system must accompany the transcript. Current students or recent graduates should submit letters of recommendation from two teachers. Applicants who have completed their degree more than three years ago should submit a letter from a current or former employer. Letters from family members, friends, or people who are not well acquainted with the applicant should not be submitted. A personal interview by phone can be part of the evaluation procedure.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition fee for MILE is CHF 30,000. Scholarships and tuition waivers are available for qualified applicants.

Summer Program

Launched in 2003, the World Trade Institute’s (WTI) Summer Academy addresses the increasing demand for up-to-date knowledge of the most cutting-edge issues in international trade regulation. Professionals, government officials, international civil servants, scholars, staff from non-governmental organizations and students who cannot attend the WTI’s full year Master’s programme can benefit from a compact exposure to – and a comprehensive inside look at – many of the hottest topics in trade regulation and global governance.

Our courses are co-taught by many of the world’s leading practitioners, drawn from the fields of economics, law and international political economy. Participants with a diverse background of professional and academic expertise learn to blend the policy aspects of trade with thorough legal interpretation and economic analysis while establishing contacts with fellow professionals and faculty from all over the world.


The modules offered in the forthcoming 8th WTI Summer Academy, 12 July - 13 August 2010, will be determined and posted here shortly. Please check back for updates.


The Summer Academy is open to anyone who has graduated from a tertiary educational institution (bachelors degree or equivalent) or who is in the process of doing so (undergraduate students). Applicants should be able to demonstrate a solid working knowledge of English.

Applying to the Summer Academy is easy. Download the application form from our website and send it, together with a copy of your CV, to: summer@wti.org. There is no application fee (however, please see our cancellation policy in the section on fees). You will normally hear back from the programme coordinator within 48 hours as to whether or not you have been accepted.

The fee for attending the full 5-week Summer Academy is 5'250 Swiss Francs (CHF). Applicants also have the option to attend individual weeks.

1 week = CHF 1’300; 2 weeks = CHF 2’500; 3 weeks = CHF 3’600; 4 weeks = CHF 4’500; 5 weeks = CHF 5'250

All lectures are taught in English and admission to the Academy is limited to 65 participants per week.