Customs, Taxation and International Trade Law

The Master's program in Customs, Taxation and International Trade Law at the University of Münster offers a comprehensive and specialized education designed to prepare students for the complexities of international commerce and legal frameworks governing trade, taxation, and customs procedures. This program provides a detailed understanding of the legal rules and economic principles that underpin global trade activities, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to navigate and influence the international legal landscape. Students will explore various topics, including customs law, tax law, trade regulations, dispute resolution, and the legal aspects of international market access. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills such as legal analysis, policy evaluation, and negotiation techniques, enabling graduates to effectively manage legal compliance and strategic planning in multinational companies, governmental agencies, or law firms. The program is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach, integrating legal theory with economic and political considerations, ensuring students develop a holistic understanding of the issues involved in international trade and taxation. Courses are taught by experienced academics and professionals with expertise in European and international law, providing students with current insights and real-world applications. The program also offers opportunities for internships, research projects, and exchanges with partner institutions worldwide, fostering global perspectives and professional networking. Graduates of this program are well-positioned for careers as legal advisors, compliance officers, policy analysts, or consultants in sectors such as customs authorities, tax agencies, international trading companies, or non-governmental organizations. With its rigorous academic standards and focus on practical relevance, the program prepares students to meet the legal challenges of today's interconnected global economy and to contribute effectively to the development of fair, efficient, and sustainable trade and tax policies worldwide.

Educational organisation

Module I (Basismodul/Foundation Module): 14 ECTS credits

• Lecture: Deutsches Recht für ausländische Studierende (German Law for International Students) (3 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Methodik des deutschen Rechts (Methodology of German Law) (1 ECTS credit)
• Language course: Juristischer Fachsprachkurs (Legal German) (4 ECTS credits)
• Seminar: Propädeutisches Seminar (Propaedeutic Seminar) (6 ECTS credits)

Module II (Erweiterungsmodul/Extension Module): 22 ECTS credits
Students choose one of the following areas of law:

• Civil Law
• Public Law
• Criminal Law

Students attend:

Civil law:

• Lecture & tutorial: Grundlinien und Allgemeiner Teil des BGB (Basics and General Part of the German Civil Code) (8.5 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Allgemeines und Besonderes Schuldrecht (Law of Obligations) (9 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Wahlfach (elective course in Civil Law) (4.5 ECTS credits)

Public law:

• Lecture & tutorial: Staatsrecht I - Grundrechte (Fundamental Rights) (7 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Verwaltungsrecht Allgemeiner Teil und Verwaltungsprozessrecht (General Administrative Law and Law of Administrative Court Procedure) (9 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Wahlfach (elective course in Public Law) (6 ECTS credits)

Criminal Law:

• Lecture & tutorial: Strafrecht I (Criminal Law I = Doctrine of the Offence) (8.5 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Strafrecht II (Criminal Law II) (7.5 ECTS credits)
• Lecture: Strafrecht III (Criminal Law III) (6 ECTS credits)

Module III (Profilmodul/Profile Module): 6 ECTS credits
Students choose one of the following specialisations:

• Economics and Business
• Employment and Social Law
• Information, Telecommunication and Media law
• International Law / European Law / International Private Law
• Law-shaping and Dispute Resolution
• State and Administration
• Criminology
• Tax Law

Students attend:

• Two lectures: two Wahlfächer (two elective lectures from the chosen specialisation) (2 x 3 ECTS credits)

Module IV (Abschlussmodul/Completion Module): 18 ECTS credits

• Thesis: Masterarbeit (Master's Thesis) (15 ECTS credits)
• Oral examination: Mündliche Prüfung (Final Oral Exam) (3 ECTS credits)

Study abroad unit(s)

None

Forms of assessment

• Lectures: written examination
• Tutorial: no examination
• Language course: written examination
• Seminar: paper and oral presentation

Course objectives

The Faculty of Law awards the degree Master of Laws (LLM) after the oral examination concluding the Master's programme.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their German skills: TestDaF 4x4 or DSH-2

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Admission requirements for the Master of German Law are:

1. Successful completion of a course of study in law at a foreign university

• with a standard length of at least eight semesters (corresponding to 240 ECTS credits)

OR

• with a standard length of at least six semesters (corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) and additional 60 ECTS credits resulting from preparatory studies, Master's degree studies or from equivalent accredited courses

2. Sufficient command of the German language (this must generally be proven by means of a language certificate, for example, a DSH-2 certificate)

Enrolment fees

Social semester fee of 240 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport for the greater Münster area and the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

Approx. 700 EUR per month to cover accommodation, insurance, and personal expenses

Arrival support

The Office of the Dean ("Dekanat") at the Faculty of Law at Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster offers an orientation programme for new students.