It was interesting to note your response about Vienna. I agree the LLM program offered by Vienna is one of the best. Would you know whether the university helps /assists in exploring job opportunities in Vienna or in Europe,after doing the course.

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

Hi,

we sometimes get job openings via email, usually located in Vienna. German language skills are usually required. Some where able to work at the faculty.

But as such there are no job fairs or campus interviews.....

You cannot call it real assiatnce for finding a job. For that you are pretty much on your own.....
Johan

I was thinking about applying for the LLM program in Vienna. I have a bachelors degree from a US university but I am finding it very difficult to find a job. I want to go back to school but most US universities are very expensive for a masters degree. I wanted to know if I finish this program in Vienna (I contacted them and they told me I can enroll with just finishing my Bachelors degree), are my chances for finding a job, here in the US, with a Big 4 accounting firm better? Or do US firms not consider a LLM from an European university that great? What are my chances for finding a job with a Big 4 in Vienna? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, everyone,

This year I am also applying to International Tax law programmes in Viena and Leiden. But I am only finishing my bachelor studies this year. So the problem is, that I am not sure, if I will be able to study at Leiden or Viena not having a lot of background in tax. Basically during my bachelor studies, I only had 3-4 tax related courses (2 of them at University Utrecht) and a 2 month internship at a local State Tax office. Could anyone give some opinions on that? Is it ok to go to these universities straight after bachelor or is it better to get some experience/background in tax law.

Rokas

I am currently finishing my Master's degree in International Tax Law at Maastricht (I'm writing my thesis). I really enjoyed this program and that is due to the unique way that class is given. Maastricht has a problem based learning approach (the university stands alone in this approach), which entails that every week, aside from lectures, you have to analyze and tackle a tax issue in a small group of students, under supervision of (usually) a professor or (otherwise) a teacher. Because the groups small you really get a lot of attention and if you are having trouble understanding something, the teachers are open to giving you some extra guidance. The courses are fun and interactive, requiring the students to work in groups on presentations and papers. Aside from purely theoretical courses, there are also a few practical courses, e.g. the International Tax Moot Court (which was so much fun, because you get the opportunity to represent your client in court) and Tax Planning & Transfer Pricing, where during the whole course you are advising your client based on his needs which change weekly. What I was also happy about is that you can start the program at two different stages, in September or in February. Professor Rainer Prokisch also uses his international network to invite guest lecturers from all over the world to speak. I can highly recommend this program, if I were to make the choice again knowing then what I do now, I would still choose Maastricht.

In September 2007 I started the LL.M. degree in 'International and European Tax Law' at Maastricht University.

Considering the fact that I am Dutch, I would like to mention that what I especially enjoy about the degree in Maastricht is meeting the students from different countries. It truly is an 'international' degree. In my year there are students from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia and Portugal. Last February we were joined by students from the new EU Member States.
Meeting these people obviously means you are also confronted with foreign tax systems and that is what the degree is all about. This cultural mix in the tutorial groups finds great expression in the course 'Corporate taxation' (one of the first courses in the academic year) for example: how do other jurisdictions perceive thin capitalisation rules? Moreover, having a German in your tutorial group certainly makes discussing the Lankhorst-Hohorst case (even) more exciting.

Furthermore, I have to say that the faculty staff are most approachable. I have heard stories about the relationship between the professor and the student in other countries. Apparently it is not uncommon to have an environment in which the professor is considered to be 'god' and the student the ordinary mortal.
This is certainly not the case in Maastricht. Lively discussions during the tutorials and lectures are really encouraged. If you dissent from prof. Prokisch regarding the question whether there is a permanent establishment or not, you are invited to share your legal reasoning.
The staff are not only interested in hearing from the students during lessons; there is always room for a personal talk. There are still 5 months left in the academic year and as far as I know we have already been invited twice for a drink in the local pub by different professors. Last November a professor and a university teacher took us out for lunch.

Lastly, I would like to stress that the staff really go to great lenghts to provide the best eductional experience. It has happened that extra tutorials were put in without the tutors receiving the corresponding remuneration. Additional lectures are offered for those students starting the degree in February who have obviously missed the introductory courses and who might not be that familiar with certain aspects of (European) tax law. These examples clearly show that the staff are passionate about the field they are in.

I hope I have given an insight into the LL.M. degree in Maastricht. If there are any questions do not hesitate to reply to this message as I will automatically receive a notification via e-mail.

P.S. I have not mentioned the beauty of the city of Maastricht, but you will see for yourself when you get there!

Hi,

I have a question about the admission procedures of Leiden University. Is it a roling admission process, and is it possible that if I apply late (e.g. mid of march) the course for International Tax law is already full and they are not processing the applications anymore. And how long does it take to hear the news from them? I have applied on14.-15th of March and there are still no news from ITC Leiden. Does anyone know how it works?

Rokas

Hi Jade. Would appreciate if you could share your thought's on what swayed your decision for Mastricht. I guess Veinna and Leiden are also very good options.Did you try for these two university.

I guess they have an online system for checking the status of application. You can try that.Have you applied anywhere else also . Wish you all the best.

Hi,

well, application to Leiden University is paper-based, so as far as I know, there is no online system where you could check the status of the application..

Hi , Rokasd- Yes you are right . But when you see the FAQs section of the website www.itc-leiden.nl under the Practical information, I think there they have mentioned something about online status of application. Hope this helps. Wish you all the best.Did you apply at Vienna or anywhere also.

Hi,

well, application to Leiden University is paper-based, so as far as I know, there is no online system where you could check the status of the application..

Hi,

I will try and answer your questions. Before applying to the ETC, I have been studying tax law at Tilburg University, graduating on an International Tax Law topic in a project which involved both Tilburg University and K.U. Leuven. Therefore, I had already experienced part of the Tilburg and Leuven way of approaching European and international tax law issues. I personally believe the combination of theory (i.e. comparison of tax systems and approaches, establishing differences and similarities in order to determine what issues arise in international practice and subsequently what solutions are possible) and practice (theory is always backed up with practical cases discussed by leading practitioners from around the world) provides for expertise in either practice or science. One of the main features of the ETC which I found very valuable is that professors and practitioners are flown in from different countries in order to address the tax aspects of their own countries. Therefore, the knowledge provided is first-hand.
Concerning the job opportunities, I believe the fact that PricewaterhouseCoopers sponsors the ETC indicates that ETC students are well appreciated by large law or advisory firms. Also, since practitioners from different firms are flown in to teach in the college, you build up a strong network, allowing you to easily come in contact with potential employers.

I hope this has answered your questions.

Kind regards,

MvH


Hi MvH,Wish you all the best. I am also interested pursuing LLM program in international tax. Could you elaborate what swayed your decision in favour of European tax college .Leiden and Vienna are more popular program.At least thats what I know.Are you aware of any assistance from college in finding any job opportunities i.e. any sor of campus interveiw,job fair. What sort of reputation does European tax college enjoy amongst Big four, large law firms and corporates.Thanks

Does anyone is having the LLM in Taxation in the next term?

High HenriqueSL

I have been admitted to Leiden, Maastricht and the European Tax College. I am waiting for Vienna to take a decision. I foung the ETC programa very interesting and complete. Leiden is very good also, but a little expensive for me. I am going to decide in the following weeks.
What about you, where are you going?

Hi fernunezpe,

Good to hear that you have so many excellent options. Hard time to get a decision.....
In my case, having applied behind schedule (late February), my only and best choice was LSE.
I'm having the LLM in taxation and hope to meet some classmates here.

Cheers!

Hello everybody

I have been asked whether I would be interested to do a tax LLM in Vienna, continuing working part time in my current job.

I have a master in economics as well as a bacchelor in law, currently going for the master degree. I have over 5 years (full time) of tax experience within a big 4 company and a national degree in taxation.

As I had not really thought about an LLM before, I don't know what I am going to do now. And as always, the boss wants an answer, preferably yesterday.

The programm really looks interesting, but then, they earn their money by making them look impressive.
I mean, will it really make a difference on the knowledge side, or is it more about networking? I don't really see the advantage other than having another title on the business card, but on the other hand I don't wont to spoil a wonderful chance, just because I had almost no time to think about it.

I would be grateful for any feedback. Thanks and kind regards.

Hello everybody,

I have just had notice of my admission for the LLM in Vienna full time 08/09.

Even if the deadline for the confirmation is May 31, I am planning to attend the courses. I've known that the program is very well recognised, and I also think that a life experience in a city like Vienna can be very interesting :-)

Maybe some of you is going to be in Vienna in September? We could exchange some information for practical matters and know each other in advance.

Best regards.

Alex

Hi, everyone,

So, is anyone going to any of the discussed international tax programmes? Vienna, Leiden, Tilburg? I am still waiting for the response from Leiden, as I submitted my application really late. Is anyone from you guys going there? When did you receive your offers, how long did it take you to get the response from them. Wish all the best for all those who are still waiting for responses and congratulations for everybody admitted! Maybe, with some luck, I'll see you there next September ;)

Rokas