Advance as a trade policy professional
Build your career in trade policy with the Master of International Trade. 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. The multidisciplinary nature of the MIntTr means that it's open to students from all academic backgrounds. You’ll be well prepared for a wide range of trade policy roles.
Who can study for this qualification
The MIntTr is designed for people who want to build a career in trade policy.
To get into the MIntTr programme, you need a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B average. Your degree can be in any discipline—for example, commerce, science, humanities, or law.
What you‘ll learn
The Master of International Trade is 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.
By exploring international relations, economics, law, public policy, and development studies, you’ll gain a broad-based understanding of this field.
Programme structure
The MIntTr 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.
Elective courses or research dissertation
In Part 2 of the Master of International Trade, you can choose approved 400- or 500-level elective courses worth a total of 60 points. These courses can be from related fields, such as geography, the environment, international relations, or Māori studies.
Alternatively, you could add a research component to Part 2. There are two ways you can do this:
How you‘ll study
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.
Most students start in Trimester 1, but you can begin your studies in any trimester.
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.
Workload and duration
The Master of International Trade can be completed in three trimesters studying full time, or six trimesters studying part time. If you take two courses per trimester, you’ll need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours work.
The Master of International Trade was intellectually stimulating and challenging. I was able to engage and stretch my brain in ways that it wasn’t used to.
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide that hold the ‘Triple Crown’ of international business education accreditations. By studying here, you can be confident your qualification will be recognised globally for its quality.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MIntTr degree shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B average or equivalent; and
(ii) been accepted by the programme director of the Master of International Trade as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement 1(a)(i) may be waived by the Director of Postgraduate Studies for the Faculty of Law or deputy dean, in consultation with the programme director, for a candidate who has extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MIntTr
2. (a) The course of study for the MIntTr shall consist of:
(i) International Political Economy / Ngā Tōrangapū Ōhanga ā-Ao (INTP 441), Multidisciplinary Approaches to International Trade (ITRA 501) (or Multidisciplinary Approaches to International Trade (1) (ITRA 502) and 503), International Trade Law (LAWS 504), 30 points from Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PHPE 401), Approaches to Microeconomics (PHPE 402), Approaches to Macroeconomics (PHPE 403), or other courses approved by the programme director;
(ii) 60 points from Development Theory: Socio-spatial Thinking in Development Studies (DEVE 515), Community Engagement and Social Action (DEVE 517), GOVT 519, Comparative Regional Integration (INTP 417), LAWS 520–550, Legal Writing (LAWS 582), MAOR 510, MAOR 589 and PECO 515 or other courses approved by the programme director.
(b) The course of study for the PGDipIntTr shall consist of International Political Economy / Ngā Tōrangapū Ōhanga ā-Ao (INTP 441), Multidisciplinary Approaches to International Trade (ITRA 501) (or Multidisciplinary Approaches to International Trade (1) (ITRA 502) and 503), International Trade Law (LAWS 504), 30 points from Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PHPE 401), Approaches to Microeconomics (PHPE 402), Approaches to Macroeconomics (PHPE 403), or other courses approved by the programme director.
3. (a) A candidate for the MIntTr shall normally be enrolled for at least three trimesters and shall complete the degree within three years of first enrolling in it.
(b) The programme director may extend the maximum period in special cases.
4. A candidate who has failed any course in the programme shall re-enrol only with the permission of the programme director.
5. (a) With the permission of the programme director, a candidate who holds a GCertLaw, may, on abandoning the Certificate, credit any approved 500-level LAWS courses passed under the Certificate to the MIntTr.
Future 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.
Depending on your area of expertise as a trade policy advisor, your skills may be transferable to roles such as:
- trade legal advisor
- trade economist
- trade negotiator.
More career information
Find out more about careers. The government careers website, Tahatū, offers a wide variety of information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for law and business
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This scholarship is open to Law graduates from the Pacific Islands with a first class academic record, who plan to undertake, or are currently undertaking, a Master's degree with the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, or a Postgraduate Diploma. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Pacific Islands but Pacific students resident in New Zealand...
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This scholarship is open to applicants intending to enrol in a Master of Laws (LLM) at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and whose postgraduate research relates to public law, including areas such as constitutional law, human rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, government, comparative public law, Pacific law, and public international law.
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The purpose of this scholarship is to provide monetary assistance to students undertaking or proposing to undertake study or research in the Faculty of Law, and to recognize and encourage academic merit.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for law and business
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Matthew Castle
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Eberhard Feess
Professor of Economics
Meredith Lewis
Associate Professor
Michelle Zang
Senior Lecturer
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.