Master of Science In International Trade and Trade Policy (MITP

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Programme Guide details the contents of the Master of Science International Trade and Trade Policy (MITP) degree programme and is accordingly structured as follows. The programme rationale, aim, objectives and target group are outlined in Sub-sections 1.1 to 1.4 respectively, while the admission criteria and programme regulations are given in Section 2.0. Section 3.0 and 4.0 outline the assessment criteria and exemptions, while course codes and the programme structure are outlined in Sections 5.0 and 6.0 respectively.

1.1 RATIONALE

In a climate of enhanced global competition, attention for economic diplomacy has substantially grown, for example, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has decided to prioritise economic diplomacy in the practice of international relations. Secondly, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry recently expressed interest in International Trade and Trade Policy course.

This programme conceptualizes economic diplomacy and adds to a better understanding of its central place in the theory and practice of international trade. This programme will successfully prepare students for a wide range of high-level and global careers to suite and meet the current and future market demand from potential employers such as government, consulting firms, and policy-oriented organizations. Perhaps more importantly, this programme will contribute to the attainment of Zambia’s 2030 Vision.

1.2 AIM

The aim of the programme is to prepare students for a challenging career in international trade and commercial diplomacy assignments. The programme will provide to the students the opportunity to develop their understanding of international trade and commercial diplomacy. It will further use the principle of evidence based learning to expose students to current themes in international trade theories and policy.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

By the end of the programme, students should be able to:

1. Collect and analyse economic data to help in solving challenges related to international trade and commercial diplomacy
2. Practice drafting of key provisions of treaties and related instruments
3. Discuss and apply the principles of treaty interpretation in international law
4. Model and analyse economic implications of trade agreements
5. Analyse RTAs agreements
6. Examine trade facilitation approaches and implementation outcomes that support integration efforts

1.4 TARGET GROUP

The MSc International Trade and Trade Policy degree programme is designed to meet the growing demand for practitioners and researchers in international trade and trade policy. It is intended for university graduates with qualifications in economics, public administration and /or business administration related fields who have studied macroeconomics, microeconomics, public administration and international trade at intermediate level.

2.0 ADMISSION, GRADING AND AWARD CRITERIA  

2.1 ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission to the MSc International Trade and Trade Policy degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications:

• a degree in economics, public administration, and business administration from a recognised institution, provided that the candidate has studied macroeconomics, microeconomics, public administration and business administration at intermediate level as part of the degree or any other recognised qualification; or
• any relevant degree from a recognised institution, provided that the candidate has studied macroeconomics, microeconomics, public administration, and business administration at intermediate level as part of the degree or any other recognised qualification.

2.2 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AWARD OF MSc DEGREE

2.2.1 Duration of study

The programme of study for the award of the MSc International Trade and Trade Policy qualification shall be completed in a period of not less than 18 months and not more than three academic years.

For the purpose of computing the maximum period of study where a person undertakes the study for the MSc International Trade and Trade Policy qualification, partly as a part-time/evening/distance education and partly as a full-time student, three (3) courses successfully completed by the student shall count as one academic semester (one half year). 

2.2.2 Student progression

The Programme of study shall be taken in the sequence approved by the ZCAS-U Senate.

Full time students

• Every semester, a full-time student shall register for and take four courses, provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• A full time student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• A full time student who fails in one course in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• A full time student who fails two courses in any academic year will normally proceed to part-time studies until he or she has cleared the outstanding courses.
• A full time student who fails in more than two courses during an academic year shall be excluded.
• A full time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• No full time candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course work.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any semester of study including the final semester.

Evening and distance education (DE) students

• Every semester, an evening or DE student shall register for and take three courses, provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• An evening or DE student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• An evening or DE student who fails in one or two courses in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course(s) at the first available opportunity.
• An evening or DE student who fails in more than two courses during an academic year shall be excluded.
• An evening or DE student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• No evening or DE candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course-work.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any semester of study including the final semester.

Part time students

• Every semester, a part time student shall register for and take up to three courses.
• A part time student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• A part time student who fails in one or two course(s) in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course(s) at the first available opportunity.
• A part time student who fails in all the courses during an academic year shall be excluded.
• A part time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• No part time candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course-work.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any semester of study including the final semester.

2.2.3 Deferred examinations

A student who is unable to attempt a scheduled assessment may be awarded a deferred assessment subject to a successful application based on extenuating circumstances. A deferred assessment shall be graded normally, i.e. the student shall be awarded the actual mark obtained in the assessment or a final grade of between D and A+ in the course.

3.0 COURSE ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

3.1 COURSE ASSESSMENT

Various summative and formative assessments will be used on this programme depending on the nature of the course. These include assignments, group reports, individual reports, tests, final examinations, quizzes, virtual class forum discussions, essays and case studies.

3.2 GRADING

To be eligible for the award of the MSc ITTP degree, a student must have:

• Passed all the eight Courses.
• Adhered to the requisite course combinations in each semester.

In the grading of final examination results, the following scale will apply:

Pass grades

A+                   Distinction (86% and above)

A                     Distinction (76% – 85%)

B+                   Meritorious (66% – 75%)

B                     Very Satisfactory (61% – 65%)

C+                   Definite Pass (56% – 60%)

C                     Bare Pass (50% – 55%)

S                      Satisfactory, pass in a practical course

Fail grades

D                     Fail (49% and below)

U                     Unsatisfactory, fail in a practical course

NE                   No examination taken

WD                 Was withdrawn from the course with unsatisfactory academic progress – recorded where a student has not completed the required level of course work after a warning from the Head of Department/ Dean of School. The Dean of School has withdrawn the student from the course before the examination.

LT                   Left the course during the semester without permission

DQ                  Was disqualified in a course by Senate

DR                   Was de-registered for failure to pay fees

RS                   To re-sit the course examination only – recorded where a student is allowed by Senate to re-sit the final semester examination in the course, and to carry over the previous course work assessment.

3.3 CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

• In calculating the grade of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
  1. A+ 6 points
  2. A                    5 points
  3. B+ 4 points
  4. B 3 point
  5. C+ 2 point
  6. C 1 point
• The grading of the MITP is based on all grades obtained in all the nine courses on the programme. No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
• The points for classification of the degree shall be as follows:

Distinction                  38 – 54 points

Merit                           27 – 37 points

Credit                          16 – 26 points

Pass                             0 – 15 points

4.0 EXEMPTIONS (ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING)

There shall be no exemptions from any course, regardless of a candidate’s qualifications.

5.0 COURSE CODES

The letters of the course codes are an abbreviation of the name of the programme while the first digit stands for the year of study. The second digit is the serial number of the course in the semester and the last digit indicates whether it is a first or second semester course. For example, MITP211 means an MITP second year, course number one offered in the first semester.