Postgraduate Diploma in International Trade | Victoria University of Wellington

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Advance as a trade policy professional

Build your career in trade policy with the Master of International Trade at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Through this multidisciplinary programme, you’ll develop advanced expertise in trade law and in the economic, political, and social dimensions of international trade.

Address the challenges facing producers and exporters in the global market. Tackle issues impacting both traditional and digital commerce, and confront the realities of climate change. Study the impact of trade on Indigenous populations, including the historical and contemporary roles of Māori in international trade.

Explore all of these issues through different disciplinary lenses and gain a well-rounded view of the evolving trade landscape.

Programmes

Learn from experts with wide-ranging knowledge

With our Master of International Trade, you benefit from a multidisciplinary education built on internationally recognised excellence. Learn from world-renowned lecturers with strong reputations for teaching, research, and publishing.

Courses are taught by staff from four faculties:

Faculty of Law
Wellington School of Business and Government
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Delving into international relations, economics, law, public policy, and development studies, you’ll gain a broad-based understanding of this field.

Globally ranked

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is recognised worldwide for achieving high standards in our key disciplines. In the QS World University Rankings, our Law subject—as well as both Politics and Development Studies—feature in the top 100 globally.

The QS World University Rankings is an independent annual publication that evaluates over 1,500 universities around the world.

There are some complex questions in this field that raise legal, political and economic issues. They cannot be effectively and practically addressed through the lens of one discipline.

Susy Frankel

Professor, Chair in Intellectual Property and International Trade

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Programme structure

The Master of International Trade is a 180-point programme made up of four core courses totalling 120 points and further elective courses totalling 60 points.

The 30-point Multidisciplinary Approaches to International Trade course ties together ideas from law, economics, Māori studies, international relations, political economy, and development studies. Additional core courses worth a total of 90 points build on this foundation. You can choose the remaining 60 points of elective courses from a wide range of subjects to match your interests.

Choose your timeframe

The Master of International Trade is a flexible qualification with three study pathways. Choose the timeframe that matches your study goals and other commitments:

intensive—1 year
balanced—1.5 years
flexible—up to 3 years.

Intensive—1 year

This study schedule is best if you can commit to intensive study and want to finish quickly.

Full-time study across three consecutive trimesters
Core courses in first two trimesters
Electives start in Trimester 2 with limited flexibility in Trimester 3
Heavier workload.

Balanced—1.5 years

This study schedule is best if you want more flexibility in choosing courses, while completing the degree in a reasonable time.

Full-time study across four consecutive trimesters
Core courses in first two trimesters
Electives start in Trimester 2 with an option to top up in Trimester 3
Final electives in Trimester 1 of following year.

Flexible—up to 3 years

This study schedule is best if you want to balance study with work or other commitments.

Part-time study spread across multiple years
Start with two core courses in first year
Choose when to take other core courses and electives.

Build your network

Learn from staff with global expertise in international trade and strong links to leading trade organisations, government agencies, and industry bodies—both internationally and in Wellington. Gain practical, first-hand insights from visiting trade scholars, practitioners, negotiators, and policy experts.

Join a vibrant international community of professionals and graduates. Engage in discussions with peers from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of international trade.

Careers

A Master of International Trade will open doors to a career as an international trade policy specialist in public agencies, businesses, and non-governmental organisations around the world.

See what you can do with a Master of International Trade

The study I’ve done towards the Master of International Trade put me in good stead for my current role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade—I’m now representing New Zealand in international trade details, which is something I feel very privileged to be trusted with.

Krissy Grace

Master of International Trade student

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Community

Postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff, and future colleagues.

You’ll have opportunities to attend events, workshops, social functions, and seminars such as the Student Learning Postgraduate Research skills sessions.

The Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) and the VUW Postgraduate Students’ Association (PGSA) can give you information and provide a voice for you on campus.

Find out about VUWSA

Find out about VUW PGSA