Introduction
The WTI Winter and Summer Academies cover cutting-edge issues in trade and investment law and policy. They are designed for the private and public sector and civil society professionals as well as higher-education students. In lectures, discussions, and case studies, renowned experts will teach you how to blend the policy aspects of trade and investment with thorough legal interpretation and economic analysis. By becoming a part of the WTI community, you will establish valuable contacts with fellow-minded professionals and lecturers.
Winter and Summer Academy modules can be taken individually on an à la carte basis. Students who take multiple courses in the Winter or Summer Academy can become eligible for a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) or a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in International Law and Economics.
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 the Winter and/or Summer Academy will have login information for the University of Bern/World Trade Institute online course management system sent to them via email in December and June respectively. With this login information, participants will have access to the course syllabi and readings.
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.
Admission
Requirements
We accept individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in law, economics, or political science, or in an unrelated field supplemented by relevant working experience. Participants are expected to have a strong command of English and should be ready to read a large amount of material in English both prior to and during both the Winter Academy and Summer Academy.
How to apply
Applying to the Winter or Summer Academy is straightforward:
Consult the course offerings above and choose the courses you wish to follow.
Fill out the application form (found on the right side of this page) and send it, together with a CV, to us by email.
We charge a non-refundable registration fee of 50 Swiss francs which will be offset against the tuition fee and is due at the time of application.
Deadline
Applications are accepted until the maximum number of participants per week is reached.
Cancellation policy
The following deadlines and penalties apply for persons who apply and have been accepted to the program, 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 the tuition fee
No show = no refund
Financial aid
Master's students registered at the University of Bern who wish to audit (without obtaining credits), can take Winter and Summer Academy courses for free. For Master's students who wish to obtain ECTS credits special rates apply. All University of Bern students who register need to provide a confirmation of matriculation at the University of Bern.
A 50% tuition waiver is applicable to participants affiliated with the UNCTAD Virtual Institute (staff and students of the university and think tank members, with proof of institutional affiliation and/or registration). This discount is only available for participants from lower-middle-income and low-income countries and cannot be combined with other discounts. Financial aid
Master's students registered at the University of Bern who wish to audit (without obtaining credits), can take Winter and Summer Academy courses for free. For Master's students who wish to obtain ECTS credits special rates apply. All University of Bern students who register need to provide a confirmation of matriculation at the University of Bern.
A 50% tuition waiver is applicable to participants affiliated with the UNCTAD Virtual Institute (staff and students of the university and think tank members, with proof of institutional affiliation and/or registration). This discount is only available for participants from lower-middle-income and low-income countries and cannot be combined with other discounts.
