Globalisation is forcing both public authorities and private institutions to increasingly address tax-related matters within an international context. Now more than ever, successful tax specialists must possess both an excellent understanding of tax law and extensive cross-cultural, international expertise.
Our International Taxation and Law programme was developed to impart precisely this form of internationally oriented expertise. Building upon a theoretical foundation of German national fiscal law in the first semesters, the strongly interdisciplinary curriculum expands in scope to international taxation law, seamlessly interweaving additional modules in business administration, law, and economics. This will leave you with a profound tax-related expertise and the tools to analyse and develop effective solutions to national and international taxation issues from both economic and fiscal points of view.
Our programme places strong emphasis on practical relevance because our goal is to produce highly-skilled graduates who are ready and capable of transitioning directly to an internationally-oriented career. Practical relevance is built into the very foundation of the programme, from the English language instruction to the staff themselves: the programme director is a licensed tax consultant, and module lecturers – often recruited from SMEs or the “Big Four” auditing firms – bring with them a broad range of practical experience, providing a cross-sectional look at future career paths in the tax industry.
Students in our programme also have access to a variety of helpful resources, such as the latest literature and publications from the spheres of economics, taxation, and business as well as a state-of-the-art lab for taxation and behavioural research.
Overview
This is an undergraduate (Bachelor) course and the degree conferred at completion of studies is Bachelor of Arts in International Taxation and Law (B.A).
Admission semester is in the winter semester only beginning in October
The programme duration is three and half years (seven semesters).
Application deadline for the next admission semester is 15 July of each year for the following winter semester
Basically, the course language is English. Starting in the third semester, some lectures may be held in German. A German language course is conducted during the first three semesters to prepare students.
Course Details
Educational organisation
In total, the standard period of study comprises seven semesters. Additionally, sound foundations in business administration and economics, analytical skills as well as fundamental knowledge of social sciences are imparted during the first three semesters. This acquired knowledge is then enhanced in key areas in the fourth and fifth semesters. The sixth semester is reserved for an internship or semester abroad. Through the choice of specific elective subjects and the organisation of the sixth semester, students can sharpen their profile in terms of their aspired careers after graduation. In the final semester, each student writes a Bachelor’s thesis after having developed an appropriate topic.
Study abroad unit(s) and Internships
The sixth semester is reserved for an internship or a semester abroad. You can decided to either go on an internship at a reputable organisation or a semester abroad at a partner university.
The total credits for this course is 210 ECTS.
Course objectives
As a graduate, you’ll possess valuable legal and economic expertise which enables you to evaluate sophisticated tax issues and develop appropriate viable solutions for both national and international contexts. Your extensive practical experience and the interdisciplinary nature of your studies enable you to pursue a wide variety of career paths in a thriving field with brilliant future prospects.
Potential fields of employment for graduates are:
- tax consultancy and accounting firms
- internal tax departments of international companies
- business consultancy
- tax and fiscal authorities worldwide
This programme also allows you to choose the emphasis of your degree by carefully selecting elective modules, projects, and your thesis topic. Thus, you can define your professional profile according to your strengths and interests while enhancing your employability along specific career paths.
Costs and Funding
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences charges no tuition for this undergraduate course. However, you’ll be required to pay a small enrolment fee of about 270 EUR per semester. This covers nominal administration fees and includes a semester ticket that allows free travel on most bus and train routes throughout the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as to and from Nijmegen in the Netherlands.
Costs of living
The “Deutsches Studentenwerk” puts the average cost of living for students in Germany at around 700 to 800 EUR per month. This includes rent, utilities, personal expenses, and other nominal costs. For a sample breakdown of living expenses and information about financing your studies in Germany, please see the university website: http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/students/costs-scholarships-and-grants
Job opportunities
International students from non-EU countries are legally permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year on a student visa. No additional authorisation from German authorities is required.
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences often posts job advertisements for students both inside and outside the university on campus noticeboards. Some jobs at the university only require English, but most jobs in Kleve, Kamp-Lintfort, and surrounding areas will require at least conversational fluency in German. Fortunately, our Language Centre offers German courses that students can attend at no charge.
However, due to the intense workload at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, first-year students are strongly advised to dedicate their full attention to their studies. In later semesters, you will have a more open schedule and a better idea of how to balance work and studies. This is also a realistic time frame for acquiring speaking proficiency in German while studying full-time.
Admission Requirements
Language requirements: Please note that for Bachelor’s degree programmes English language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference are required. Please be aware that all applicants’ test report form numbers will be checked. The following certificates are accepted:
IELTS: minimum 6.0
TOEFL (Internet-based test): minimum 80
TOEFL (paper-based test): minimum 550
TOEFL (computer-based test): minimum 213
The TOEFL code of our university is: 6962
Academic requirements: German entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or equivalent. See: http://anabin.kmk.org/
Where to Apply: Applications must be sent to the academic evaluation service “uni-assist”. Please submit all required documents electronically via the uni-assist online portal. Applications sent to Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences by other means will not be considered. For more information, please see university website: http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/prospective-students
Admissions are currently available to study International Taxation and Law at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
If you’d like to employ our services to help you process your application to study at Hochschule Rhein-Waal, contact us today here: Graduate Degree in Germany 2017