International Taxation and Law

International Taxation and Law at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is a highly specialized program designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge of the complex legal and fiscal frameworks governing cross-border taxation. The program aims to prepare future professionals for careers in international tax consulting, legal advisory, corporate finance, and governmental agencies dealing with tax policy and enforcement. Throughout the course, students will explore fundamental concepts of international tax law, including bilateral and multilateral treaties, transfer pricing, tax planning, and compliance.

The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills, emphasizing real-world applications through case studies, internships, and project work. Students will gain insights into key issues such as tax avoidance, evasion, and the evolving landscape of global tax regulations influenced by organizations like the OECD and the European Union. Special modules focus on tax treaties, digital economy taxation, VAT principles across different jurisdictions, and the impact of international trade agreements on tax law. The program likewise covers legal procedures related to dispute resolution and arbitration in international tax matters.

Faculty members are experienced professionals and academics with expertise in international law, finance, and economics, providing students with a multidisciplinary perspective. The program is structured to enhance critical thinking, analytical skills, and legal reasoning, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to address the challenges of international taxation in a globalized economy.

Students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, modern teaching methods including interactive seminars and online resources, and the opportunity to participate in international conferences and workshops. The program is tailored for students who aspire to work in multinational corporations, law firms, governmental agencies, or NGOs focused on fiscal policy and compliance. Graduates will be awarded a recognized degree that opens doors to exciting career paths in a competitive global environment, offering a deep understanding of legal and financial challenges faced by international entities in the realm of taxation and law.

Educational organisation

In total, the standard period of study comprises seven semesters. Students gain a sound understanding of scientific approaches for analysing gender and diversity within society and within organisations. Moreover, instruments of equal opportunity and diversity management are an essential component of the study programme. During the first three semesters, students are introduced to basics of social sciences as well as economics. In the fourth and fifth semesters, knowledge is deepened and a specialisation may be chosen from the elective subjects. This enables students to already determine and prepare an aspired field of activity for their professional career at this early stage of their studies. In the sixth semester, students undertake an internship or a semester abroad. In the final semester, the Bachelor's thesis is developed and written.
As a study programme offered at a university of applied sciences, the BA in Gender and Diversity supports students in writing their Bachelor's thesis in cooperation with organisations and businesses.

Study abroad unit(s)

The sixth semester takes the form of an internship or a semester abroad.

Internships

The sixth semester is reserved for an internship or a semester abroad.

Forms of assessment

Graded examinations (written examinations, seminar papers, presentations, written assignments, oral examinations) and certificates (projects, reports, presentations)
Bachelor's thesis

Course objectives

The Gender and Diversity BA programme has an explicitly practical orientation and qualifies graduates for careers in the following areas:

• gender equality, promotion of women, anti-violence training
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual equality (LGBTI work)
• integration of immigrants, work with ethnic minorities, anti-racism activities
• disability and social inclusion, work with people with disabilities
• child and adult education
• HR management / HR development
• diversity management
• further education and work in media and public relations (PR) fields focusing on gender and diversity issues

Opportunities for employment can be found in public and private organisations, educational institutions, NGOs and development agencies, trade unions, non-profit organisations, political parties, research institutions (particularly with a focus on applied empirical research), consulting firms, or community services.
This programme is taught in English, and with its strong international focus, graduates are able to tackle local and global issues of equal opportunity. This enables them to pursue the career paths described above, both internationally and in Germany. This programme also qualifies graduates for continued studies in a Master's programme in Germany or abroad.

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/

Enrolment fees

Approx. 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 our 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.

Funding opportunities within the university

A limited number of scholarships are available for currently enrolled students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The most prominent scholarship is the Germany Scholarship ("Deutschlandstipendium"). German and international students are both eligible to apply. The Germany Scholarship is a stipend of 300 EUR per month awarded each year to a limited number of students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance or exemplary social commitment to the community. Other scholarships, grants, and fellowships are available through regional and national organisations in Germany. Please see our website for details.
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences informs all students of important scholarship deadlines in advance so that they don't miss any potential application opportunities.
http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/students/costs-scholarships-and-grants/scholarships-and-grants

Arrival support

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is accessible from the international airports Amsterdam (AMS), Düsseldorf (DUS), Cologne/Bonn (CGN), and Weeze (NRN). The university does not offer any pick-up services, but both Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort can be reached by public transportation from any of these airports.
If you anticipate any travel problems, delays, or unexpected changes to your plans, please contact our Welcome Centre so that we can support you with helpful advice.

Services and support for international students

Our Welcome Centre supports international students during their first few weeks in Germany. The Welcome Centre provides helpful advice and guidance on contracts, opening a bank account, registering your place of residence, applying for a student visa, setting up health insurance, and more.
The student mentors at the Welcome Centre know first-hand what it's like adjusting to life as a student in Germany. They are also an important first contact point for students with personal and social issues, as they can direct students to the right place for their specific needs. The Welcome Centre also promotes student culture at the university by organising trips and excursions to destinations all around the region as well as a range of social events for students such as the annual "Freshtival", the university's week-long orientation festival for new students in the winter semester.

Accommodation

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences strongly urges you to make accommodation arrangements before your arrival. The university does not have its own residence halls, but the "Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf" runs dormitories near campus in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort with options for single rooms or two- and three-room flats. Prices start at around 220 EUR per month. Room availability in these dormitories is limited and subject to a waiting list, so it's important to register online for a room as soon as possible. Please note that a security deposit of three months' rent is also required.
Most students choose to share a private flat off campus with fellow students. There are a number of popular online portals for finding a flat in Germany, for example: http://www.wg-gesucht.de. Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences also maintains its own list of available flats and rooms for students on its website. Thanks to the flexibility of the Semester Ticket, students can live in Kleve, Kamp-Lintfort, or one of the many cities and towns nearby and reach campus by public transport. For more information and helpful tips on finding a flat, please see our website: http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/prospective-students/housing.