Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Trade and Investment Law (TRAIL+)

The TRAIL+ is an advanced master’s programme in Trade and Investment Law combined with courses in international law and economics. This programme is offered at the World Trade Institute in cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the University of Bern. The programme includes more law courses and fewer courses on economics than the MILE programme.

To find out if the TRAIL+ programme is right for you, check out the 'frequently asked questions (FAQs)'.

What we offer

• A one-year, intensive graduate programme (can also be taken part-time)
• Teaching and guidance from leading scholars and practitioners
• The latest research developments in international trade and investment regulation, and economics
• The opportunity to join a vibrant WTI alumni network with over 600 members worldwide
• Strong networks and mentoring programmes to help students secure internships and entry-level positions. More info here.

What you bring

You are a student or a professional with a law degree and wish to further your legal career as a lawyer, or wish to pursue a PhD in international economic law.

For information about living and studying in Switzerland, click here.

The TRAIL+ programme is a non-consecutive LL.M. in Trade and Investment Law programme combined with a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in International Law and Economics programme. Successful completion of the TRAIL+ programme includes both the LL.M. and DAS components. Upon the successful conclusion of the TRAIL+ programme, the student is awarded a LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law as well as a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in International Law and Economics

ECTS: the TRAIL+ programme counts for 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System Points).

Language of instruction: English

Studies begin: September

Length of studies: The TRAIL+ programme is designed for full-time completion in 12 to 15 months. The programme can also be taken on a part-time basis within three years.

Additional Information: In addition to the courses offered during the autumn and spring semesters, TRAIL+ programme students are able to take advantage of WTI Winter and Summer Academy courses. 

For questions about the curriculum, please contact the Academic Coordinator.

The TRAIL+ programme is interdisciplinary and emphasises the rules, regulations and institutions - both domestic and international - which govern foreign trade, investment, the operations of multinational enterprises, and the interests and roles of stakeholders. Courses consist of lectures and case studies offering students opportunities for classroom discussions and individual research. For a full list of available courses, please refer to the TRAIL+ curriculum (link to the right).
 

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024 - KEY DATES

11, 14 & 15 September 2023
Induction days at the WTI

12 & 13 September 2023
WTO Public Forum

18 September 2023
Courses begin
 

FALL SEMESTER (18 September to 22 December 2023)

Foundations of Economics
Lecturers: David Baumann (Mathematics and Statistics), Irene Garcés Iriarte (Microeconomics), Octavio Fernandez- Amador (Macroeconomics) (TBC)
ECTS: 8
Syllabus

International Trade Regulation
Lecturer: Michael Hahn
ECTS: 10
Syllabus

International Investment Law 
Lecturer: Rodrigo Polanco
ECTS: 5
Syllabus

Academic Support: Research and Academic Writing Seminar
Dates: September 21, October 26, November 16, November 30 and December 7
Lecturers: Rodrigo Polanco

Global Political Economy
Lecturer: Manfred Elsig
ECTS: 5
Syllabus

Global Economic Governance Seminars – Fall Series
ECTS: 1
Every session features an expert lecturer. Please visit the Events page for a list of seminars.
Syllabus

WINTER ACADEMY 2024
All courses in January/February 2024 (Winter Academy) here.

SPRING SEMESTER (19 February to 7 June 2023)

International Economic Dispute Resolution
Lecturer: Peter Van den Bossche
ECTS: 5

International Economic Law and the Pursuit of Core Societal Values and Interests
Lecturer: Peter Van den Bossche
ECTS: 5

International Economics
Lecturers: Octavio Fernández-Amador, Joseph Francois and TBC
ECTS: 7

Development economics and environmental sustainability
21, 22, 23 and 28, 29 February 2024
Lecturers: Patrick Tomberger (Environmental Sustainability), Jesús Crespo Cuaresma (Development Economics)
ECTS: 3

Global Economic Governance Seminars – Spring Series
ECTS: 1.5
Every session features an expert lecturer. Please visit the Events page for a list of seminars.

Moot Court
ECTS: 5
Coaches: Svetlana Chobanova and Iryna Polovets

Introduction to International Negotiation
1 March, 8 March, 15 March and 22 March 2024
ECTS: 3
Lecturers: Felix Addor and Katie Rüegsegger

Trade Policy Making and the WTO
TBC March 2024
ECTS: 1
Lecturer: Victor do Prado

Research Tutorials for Thesis Writing
Dates: TBC
Lecturer: Patrick Wagner

Academic Support: Research and Academic Writing Seminar
Dates: TBC
Lecturer: Rodrigo Polanco

Download all course descriptions here.

For questions about the curriculum, please contact the Academic Coordinator.

Faculty

TRAIL+ course offerings draw on a global, highly experienced faculty. For a list of lecturers, please see the in-house and external faculty lists on the WTI People page and visit the University of Bern Faculty of Law page.

IMPORTANT: Application deadlines

• Early bird: 1 December (applications submitted before this deadline will be given priority)
• Regular deadline: 31 January (applications submitted after the deadline will still be considered if space allows, however please be mindful of Visa regulations and timings for your nationality)

Admission requirements:
To be considered for admission to the TRAIL+ programme at the World Trade Institute, you are required to have completed a degree in law (licentiate or master's degree), or have a degree that is deemed equivalent, i.e. a degree in law which entitles you to sit for the bar exam or equivalent in your country of origin.

To apply for the TRAIL+ and for a detailed list of requirements, please use our online application form.

English language requirements:
The TRAIL+ is taught exclusively in English. Therefore, you must arrive at the WTI and the University of Bern with a level of English that allows you to fully benefit from the courses. In particular, your level of English needs to allow you to express yourself effectively in and outside the classroom, deliver on weekly writing assignments and adequately cover a weekly reading load of up to 200 pages.

When evaluating your application, the selection committee pays close attention to evidence of your proficiency in English. As is common for graduate programmes, you are required to submit objective test scores of one of the accepted tests listed below:

Test                          Minimum Score  
TOEFL ibT                100 points or above   

TOEFL Paper           600 points or above   

IELTS                       7.0 or above   

Cambridge CAE        A    

Cambridge CPE        C or higher   

Exemptions:
The following applicants are exempt from submitting test scores:

• Native English speakers
• Students with an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from an institution in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, where English was the primary language of instruction and the degree was awarded no longer than five years ago.

You may be exempt from submitting test scores if you are:

• A student with an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction and the degree was awarded no longer than five years ago
• A student who has completed at least one year of study in an English speaking country and at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction immediately prior to joining the TRAIL+ programme.

Please contact us if you are unsure of your exemption status. We will be glad to help. However, please be advised that exemptions from the language requirement are rarely granted. Important: If you believe you are exempt from a English test score, please add this to the comment box in the online application form.

Tuition for the TRAIL+ programme is CHF 18'000 for both full and part-time studies.

You may benefit from either one of the following two payment methods:

• A 2% discount is applied if you pay your entire tuition fee prior to the first day of the programme.
• If you are not able to pay in full, there is the opportunity to pay in installments. Please contact us to discuss.

Registration fee
Application for the TRAIL+ programme is free.

A one-time, non-refundable registration fee of CHF 200 is required upon admission to the programme. We will provide you with bank details once we confirm your admission to the TRAIL+ programme. Any charges incurred during transfer of the tuition fee or registration fee must be borne by the applicant.

Financial support
Opportunities for financial aid are available here.