Could you benefit from a refresher course at the WTI? Are you interested in our programmes but cannot commit to an entire year? Now is your chance to get a taste of what we offer and earn a certificate of attendance, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) or a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS).
CAS and DAS Programmes
For public and private sector professionals
About the CAS / DAS programmes
The WTI offers you a unique opportunity to update and deepen your knowledge of international economic governance, trade and investment by participating in intensive, week-long courses on a wide range of topics. These interdisciplinary courses, which are part of the Master in International Law and Economics (MILE) programme, the WTI’s flagship master programme, are taught by a faculty of renowned experts and practitioners.
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.
CAS and DAS Courses 2019
WTO Law on Border Measures and Trade Facilitation
21 – 24 January
Lecturers: Davide Rovetta and Roy Santana
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
GATT, SPS and TBT Law on Internal Taxation and Regulation versus National Policy Space
28 – 31 January
Lecturers: Arthur Appleton and Gabrielle Marceau
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
WTO Law on Anti-Dumping and Safeguard Measures
4 – 7 February
Lecturers: Fernando Piérola and Edwin Vermulst
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
WTO Law on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
12 – 15 February
Lecturers: James Flett and Claudio Dordi
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection
3 – 6 June
Lecturers: Felix Addor and Thomas Cottier
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
Applied General Equilibrium Modelling on Trade Policy and Development
3 – 7 June
Lecturers: Eddy Bekkers, Joseph Francois, Hugo Rojas-Romagosa
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
Latest Developments in International Investment Law and Dispute Settlement
11 – 14 June
Lecturers: Roberto Echandi and Georgios Petrochilos
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
Trade and Agriculture: New Challenges
17 – 20 June
Lecturers: Lee Ann Jackson and Christian Häberli
ECTS: 3
Course description here.
Admission
Requirements
For the CAS/DAS programmes, we accept applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in law, economics, finance, commerce, international relations, or political science, or in an unrelated field when supplemented by relevant working experience. Participants are expected to have a strong command of written and spoken English and should be ready to read a large amount of material in English both prior to and during the courses. Students whose first language is not English are required to provide TOEFL or IELTS test results (see MILE Admission). Exceptions may be granted on further examination, particularly where students have obtained their previous degree from a programme conducted entirely in English.
For the CAS and DAS programmes, applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic ability and provide credible references bearing witness to their research abilities. They also should possess at least one year of professional experience in a related field (lawyer, diplomat, export industry representative, trade economist, civil servant, etc). Exceptions to this rule may be granted upon reviewing individual applications.
How to apply
Applying to the CAS and DAS programmes is straightforward:
- Consult the course offering above and choose the courses you wish to follow.
- Fill out the registration form (found on the right side of this page) and send it, together with a copy of your CV, a short biography and portrait photo (head and shoulders) of yourself to us by email:
*Information on courses will not be provided until the tuition fee has been paid.
Deadline
Applications are accepted until the maximum number of participants is reached.
Cancellation policy
The following deadlines and penalties apply for persons who apply and have been accepted to the programme, but who subsequently withdraw:
- Cancellations 8 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds the tuition fee but deducts a 100 Swiss franc administration fee
- Cancellations 4 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds 70% of tuition fee
- Cancellations 2 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds 50% of tuition fee
- No show = no refund
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are due prior to starting your course(s). Information on courses will not be provided until the tuition fee has been paid.
The CAS and DAS tuition fees do not cover costs such as meals, housing or local transportation.
Weekly Courses
Participants may join one or more course(s) as a weekly student and receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion.
The tuition per week is 1,200 Swiss francs.
*Week-long WTI PhD courses also count towards meeting the requirements for a CAS or DAS.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Participants who earn 8 ECTS in course work and 4 ECTS by writing a research paper are awarded a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in International Law and Economics.
The tuition fee for a CAS is 4,000 Swiss francs.
Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)
Participants who earn 22 ECTS in course work and 8 ECTS by writing a research paper are awarded a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in International Law and Economics.
The tuition fee for a DAS is 10,000 Swiss francs.
Financial aid
Special rates apply to students registered at the University of Bern.
A 50% tuition waiver is applicable to participants affiliated with the UNCTAD Virtual Institute (staff and students of university and think tank members, with proof of institutional affiliation and/or registration). For detailed information, please visit the UNCTAD VI website.
The WTI does not offer tuition waivers for CAS/DAS programmes or weekly courses. Financial aid, if needed, should be requested from other organisations or institutions.
General information
Accommodation
Due to the high prices of hotel accommodation in Bern, it is highly recommended that you rent a room (double or single) in one of the student residences run by the Bernese Student Lodging Association. Please note that the WTI is not in a position to guarantee accommodation in Bern and cannot rent an apartment or other accommodation for you.
Important IT information
Participants registered for weekly courses à la carte or for CAS or DAS programmes will have access to the course syllabi and readings through the WTI online course management system.
Visas
Students need to apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country. The visa application process should be started as early as possible, as it can take several weeks for the Swiss immigration office to correspond with its Swiss embassies abroad. Citizens from EU and EEA countries do not require a visa.