Hello,
I am looking for LMM studies in well recognized university.
After finishing the LLM program I am expecting to continue working for big4 or to get into an international corporation.

Anyone can recommend an university (I am thinking of Harvard or Leiden. Has any one experience with those two?
Which may give more opportunities? Maybe anyone can recommend other llm course in international tax?

hey. i work as a senior consultant in EY tax department. from the next year im planning to do a MSC in Law and Accounting at LSE, which is basically the international tax law program (i do not have LLB so was not eligible to get tax LLM). I think LSE is quite good at tax law. or at least i hope so:)) when r u planning to do your postgrad study?

Hi, Leli, thanks for the reply. It sounds interesting. I am planning to begin study in September 2006.

I am currently studding in Leiden in the International Tax Centre. I consider this LLM program the best in Europe. If you want a relaxed program this is not your choice. The program is very demanding, very high quality, best professors in all spheres, pure international taxation, and no focus on domestic law of the specific countries (e.g. Holland). I will gladly answer your questions directly if you write me at akadet@yandex.ru.

Hi, I think Alexandra is right. Personally, some friends of mine have graduated from the Intl Tax LLM at Leiden U and all of them loved it (albeit it is indeed demanding)! Among international tax professionals, Leiden is widely acknowledge as the most traditional program in Intl Tax, and is certainly a good choice. However, you may have into account other programs in other European Universities: Vienna (it has a great curriculum and excellent teachers - many of them teach at Leiden as well -, and could be considered as as good as Leiden), the European Tax College and Maastricht (it is a new program starting this year). In addition Queen Mary (London) is a good option: Prof. Philip Baker is one of the best living experts in Intl Law. Hope this advice helps.

Hi,
I see you mentioned the international tax program in Maastricht. Currently I am following this program, so I have a little inside info. The difference between Maastricht and the other universities is the learning approach. Whereas Leiden, European Tax College (Tilburg/Leuven) use lectures, Maastricht uses a case based approach (Problem Based Learning) very similar to Harvard Business School. I find it more practical than just the regular dry theory. The thing is that you get an actual real world case you have to analyse. This means that you don't focus on a certain subject matter, but you need to integrate a number of international tax law and european tax law subjects to solve the case. You are actually applying theory, so that is a great preparation for you future job as a tax advisor.
As for the difference between Leiden, Tilburg/Leuven and Vienna I can't find any. The teaching faculty is the same persons, so I think the reputation is equal. For those of you who might consider Harvard, NYU or Florida, please consider that the accent of those programs is one US international Tax and not on tax treaty/ European tax law as is the focus of the mentioned continental EU universities.

Hi guys, am seriously looking for a university, either in Europe or USA with a reputation on international tax law course. have looked at the programme for Vienna University(Austria) and appears beckonning.

i want to make an informed choice and wuold appreciate honest abservations and additions, if any. i have an LLB and is currently working for my country's(KENYA) Revenue Authority.

of geat importance would also be your advice on Scholarship information.

Hi Junior,

Regarding the US, let me tell you one thing. I am sure great universities, but the focus on most programs is US tax.

as far as Europe is concerned there are only two programs to be taken into account on international tax law: Vienna and Leiden. Both great programs, however I did my LLM in Vienna and would recommend everyone who is serviously interested in upgrading their tax knowledge for going there. Next to the academics, which is because of the outstanding professors of a very high level, social life is very important. Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities on this planet man!

The course: you have weekly 3 full days of course: from 8h30 - 17h30. The other days of the week are for preparing presentations, thesis, and preparation of the courses which is necessary. Exams: at end of every month about the lectures given that month.

The core program of the LLM remains the same every year, some course are changing depending on the theme of the thesis. The thesis is published in book if it obtains publishing level.

I would choose Vienna over Leiden everytime. Reason: high level lectures, good organisation of the program, helping faculty members, quality degree, LLM Alumni Club and meetings and, last but not least: Vienna: situated in centre of europe, great for city trips!

Regarding scholarship, you can try but very hard to get.

Any further questions? You can ask!
johan

Thanks Johan, am very grateful for ur advise. what specialty did u do ur LLM in? are u in a position to know the class capacity, both at vienna & Leiden? and the admission process, what do each focus on? my current focus is getting an admission. i graduated(LLB) about 3yrs ago with a 2nd class upper division Hons., passed bar exams & accordingly admitted to the bar.
For work experience, am currently in my second year of service with the revenue authority.
Would these enhance/hinder my chances of getting an admision?

While taking note of ur view on scholarship, i would appreciate if u could offer a further view on the scholarship offered by Vienna on the tax law program .

Finally, job prospects. my dream is to work in an international body/organisation, or in europe or US. This coz of the exposure and/or pecuniary advantages associated with these places.

I am aware that some of my questions could be difficult to answer, and i accordingly apologise in that event.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

I don't really understand your question regarding the specialty of the LLM. I did the LLM in International Tax Law in Vienna. As regards, the class capacity we were with 25 during our year. I think that's pretty much the maximum of participants that can be admitted.

I checked the website of Vienna again, the program is really great. If I would not have done it, i would do it again, it is really an outstanding program.

The admission procedure....well it is a global evaluation of your academic curriculum and your professional experience. the fact that you work for the revenue authorities will certainly not hinder your admission, on the contrary I think. As you know, the number of places is limited and in the case of doubt, the date of the application will be of a factor as well. You still have until end of April for Vienna I believe, but I submitted mine in february. So don't wait too long.

For the scholarship, as I believe, you have to write an essay together with your application, on why you think you should get the scholarship. While financial capacities might play a role, as I look back on the previous" winners", the fact of being a young "talent", plays a role. The scholarship equals the tuition fee.

About teh process, you can go to the website: www.international-tax-law.at or send an email to Ms Ender if you have questions. You can find her email address on the website.

An LLM is certainly an added value on CV for jobs. You have a certain advantage compared to other candidates, but don't forget that tax law is law and law is connected to a territory. While having an LLM is an advantage, you will have to compete with the "locals".

cheers,
Johan

For the scholarship:

http://www2.wu-wien.ac.at/taxlaw/LLM/InfoApplicFormLLMScholarship2007.pdf

deadline for scholarship 28 feb 2007.

Johan

Hi I have sent in my application to Vienna and waiting impatiently to know the outcome. Does the university assist in finding accomodation etc? Is it easy for a non-german speaking foreigner to settle in? I was wondering if one is allowed to get some sort of practical experience after the course.

Hi if you are accepted the university will provide you with some addresses to contact in order to find accomodation. Piece of advice: be quick. Otherwise try to find somehting for a month or a couple of months and look for something during that period. What I did, I found somehting for 6 months. Some of the other students were in teh same situation, so we rented together an apartment for the other 6 months. Yes, it is very easy to settle in for non-German speakers. Viennese people are very friendly and open.

During teh course, it is possible to get a job at teh faculty as an assistant. that has been done in the past, however if there is no place, then there is no place...

Good Luck!

Johan

Johan, am grateful for the information and advise u gave me. am currently following up with Vienna for their 2008/09 programme. i could not make it this year due to financial and job related issues. i hope that by starting the application process early enuogh will enhance my chances of admission.
Junior


THANKS.

The whole course seems very "academic, tehoretical" to me. Does the program contain "hard facts" about different taxes, such as VAT, corporate taxes, income taxes, or it just deals with the theoratical legal base of taxation. Can we bore into those kinds of taxes, or it just gives background information?
What do you think?

Having 5+ tax experience I would say that Leiden program is VERY practical with huge amount of cases which look like real situations, but very DEMANDING in schedule with some pressure. In Fundamentals there're some theoretical approach on some lectures... but it is necessary basics.

Hi,

Idem for Vienna program as I replied. Like you said, theory is necessary. If there is not theoretical background, understanding practice and case is not possible,

Kr
Johan

I compared cirricilum of Vienna and Leiden recently and would say that in Leiden we have more lectures and topic more covered in details. Some teachers are the same but we had more classes and topics are wider (based on our Tax Treaties course and Vienna analog).
In addition to lectures (which is I know is not available in Vienna as it has only lectures) we have workshops where practical cases are discussed, more things are added to understanding. For poor performing students we have tutorials where some complex things are discussed by TA for further understanding. For each lecture we have printed materials with articles and other materials to read in addition to OECD materials and VOGEL book. And besides every day before the lecture we should submit at 11 pm or earlier a written assignment on the topic to be presented on the lecture (usually the case).

Dear Koudiarov,

I don't understand your comparison and the purpose of it.......Did you attend both programs in order to make this analysis? What I know is that regarding the hours they are more or less the same, only there is a different spread. Anyway, I would not be able to do your comparison since I attended only the Vienna program. In any case, both programs are considered to be the best in Europe, I guess that if people are interested in one or the other program they can ask you regarding the Leiden LLM or me regarding the Vienna LLM.

Kind regards,
Johan

Hi all,

I am participating in the LL.M programma in International and European Taxation of the European Tax College (www.europeantaxcollege.com), organised by Tilburg University and KU Leuven, and am very positive about its contents. Courses and seminars both cover the theoretical and the practical sides of international taxation. Furthermore, although the programme is demanding, it is well organised and time efficient.
Of course, I cannot compare with the programmes of Leiden and Vienna, so it is very interesting for me to see remarks about these other two LL.M. programmes.

Greetings,

MvH