Tax Policy and Tax Administration

The interdisciplinary approach of the executive Master's Programme Tax Policy and Tax Administration enables students to gain insight into topics ranging from international taxation, public economics, and good governance to strategic management and leadership. Students will benefit from different excellent study locations - e.g. Germany and South Africa - enabling them to garner experiences from different professional and cultural settings. Study tours to African and European public finance institutions will offer students exposure to alternative public finance systems, widen their horizons, and help them to assess different reform options critically. Practical work through individual transfer projects, as well as interactive guest lectures and workshops with tax experts from the African and European continents, will complement the theoretical coursework.
A functioning public finance system represents the backbone of a capable state that provides public goods and services according to citizens' demands in a transparent and accountable manner. Thus, it stands to reason that governments are committed to providing systems that ensure the effective, simple and fair collection of taxes. At the same time, ongoing economic regional integration is making it necessary for modern governments to design tax systems that meet the requirements of this rapidly changing economic and social environment.
A practice-based approach, achieved through work on a practice-oriented transfer project, will enable those accepted into this programme to develop the skills to apply content to tax policy, tax legislation and tax administration problems creatively, with the objective of finding innovative and practical solutions to such problems. A modern mix of methodological approaches to teaching and learning will systematically develop the students' problem-solving skills. Guest speakers internationally recognised in the fields covered in this Master's programme will provide a real-world perspective to supplement the course content.
The programme is designed to impart management and leadership skills to the students. Graduates can expect to be able to design, implement, and steer reform processes in the fields of tax policy, tax legislation, and tax administration in their respective home countries. (Future) government officials will be able to manage and implement comprehensive organisational and/or modernisation reforms within their institutions through enhanced competencies in fields as varied as strategic and operational planning, project management and leadership.

Educational organisation

The programme spans 15 months, is taught in English, and begins in September in Berlin. The first two semesters will be dedicated to full-time modules, whereas the third semester will be reserved for finalising the transfer project and writing the Master's thesis in the respective home countries.
The programme is structured around 11 modules that provide fundamental skills and knowledge in the area of public finance, with particular focus on tax policy, tax legislation and tax administration. The modules are intended to facilitate the acquisition of an analytical problem-solving expertise, allowing for culturally and regionally specific factors which have the potential to support personal and career development. Creative solution-finding in a team as part of the practice-based transfer project will encourage "thinking outside the box" and, as such, promote successful project management.

Study abroad unit(s)

Study visit, Europe
Study period in South Africa

Forms of assessment

Written and oral exams, assignments, Master's thesis

Course objectives

The programme is designed to impart management and leadership skills to the students. Graduates can expect to be able to design, implement, and steer reform processes in the fields of tax policy, tax legislation and tax administration in their respective home countries. (Future) government officials will be able to manage and implement comprehensive organisational and/or modernisation reforms within their institutions through enhanced competencies in fields as varied as strategic and operational planning, project management, and leadership.

Language requirements

For non-native English speakers, proof of excellent English proficiency
The standard required is based on one of the following results in the most widely used tests: TOEFL - 550 paper-based, TOEFL - 213 computer-based, TOEFL - 79 Internet-based, BULATS - 75 or IELTS - 6.5.

Academic requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to apply for this postgraduate programme:

• Minimum of a three-year full-time Bachelor's degree, preferably in economics, law, public administration, business administration, political science, or in related fields
• At least one year of relevant professional work experience, preferably acquired on the African continent
• For non-native English speakers, proof of excellent English proficiency (The standard required is based on one of the following results in the most widely used tests: TOEFL - 550 (paper-based), TOEFL - 213 (computer-based), TOEFL - 79 (Internet-based), BULATS - 75 or IELTS - 6.5.)

Applicants who can provide proof that they have acquired very good English skills through their undergraduate studies or job activities in English can provide proof of their English language skills within the scope of the interview.
Candidates will be selected on the basis of previous academic performance, seriousness of purpose and professional work experience in Africa.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 300 EUR (subject to change without notice) per semester cover fees for the student services organisation and student parliament groups as well as the cost of a semester ticket, which allows students to use the Berlin Public Transport (BVG) for six months.

Costs of living

The cost of living in Berlin is estimated at approx. 850 EUR per month. This includes rent in a student residence hall (private accommodation costs from 300 to 600 EUR per month), living expenses, health insurance, books and materials, and incidental expenses.

Job opportunities

There are many job opportunities for students in Berlin.
Non-EU students are permitted to work within specified limits.

Arrival support

The Study Office offers an orientation day to new students and assists with administrative matters such as residence permits, insurance, etc.

Services and support for international students

You will be supported by the Study Office at the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Accommodation

Student Services ("Studentenwerk") and other institutions currently offer some 15,600 rooms in student residence halls throughout Berlin.