Master International and European Tax Law

Brief introduction International and European Tax Law (IETL)
International and European Tax Law is a unique 1-year, full-time, LL.M. programme focusing on international aspects of taxation. Our programme covers a detailed study of tax treaties and the effect of European law in tax matters. We further offer specialisations in Customs Law and International Supply Chain Taxation and Tax and Technology. Combining law, business and policy, this programme offers excellent knowledge and labour market skills. It is fully in English with a strong international orientation. Students who have a background in Dutch tax law can also comply with all the requirements to become a tax advisor in the Netherlands.

Why might the IETL Master’s programme be of interest to me?
There is a lot going on in the international tax arena and there is a very strong demand for international tax experts. If businesses go abroad, they and their employees almost automatically face tax obstacles and in particular double taxation. Important questions about where to pay direct and indirect taxes arise. In our Master’s IETL, you learn how to answer those questions and how the tax treaty network can avoid international double taxation.

In addition, businesses and tax administrations are dealing with many different rules addressing low and non-taxation. For example, as of 2024, new and quite complex global rules that aim to ensure a minimum corporate taxation of at least 15% are becoming effective. How do these rules work? How will they be implemented in the EU and other countries? How are they connected to the current international tax system? This type of developments and questions are addressed in our Master’s programme. International tax law is a constantly changing field of law with many connections to other areas such as domestic tax law, international law, EU law, corporate law, accounting, IT, economics, and policy. This makes international tax law especially interesting intellectually and provides many different opportunities on the job market.

How is the programme structured? What courses do you offer in the Master’s programme?
In our envisaged programme 2023/24, we start with the course Fundamentals of International Taxation addressing the reasons for international double taxation and how double taxation conventions work. We continue with International Business Taxation and European Corporate Tax. Both courses focus on the business-side of international taxation, including recent developments at an EU and international level. We also have courses in Transfer Pricing addressing how goods and services should be valued between entities of the same group and in Cross-Border Taxation of Human Capital dealing with the taxation of employees as well as social security issues. Furthermore, in Responsible International Tax Planning, Compliance and Administration our students learn about the possibilities and limits of tax planning as well as issues of taxpayer rights, tax transparency, administrative cooperation, and dispute settlement. European Value Added Tax provides detailed knowledge about the harmonized VAT system in Europe. Finally, Global Tax Policy and Sustainable Governance connects taxation with pressing issues such as equality, climate change, an ageing society, globalization and investments in developing countries.

Overall, the programme is structured in a systematic way, starting with the fundamentals of treaty application and ending with some of the most complex topics and issues of international taxation. Each course involves approximately one month of intensive learning, problem-solving and discussion. This gives students the opportunity to get in-depth knowledge as well as the research skills needed to continue dealing with international tax matters after they graduate.

When choosing one of our specialisations, students can focus on international trade law, customs law and international supply chain taxation (specialisation in Customs Law and International Supply Chain Taxation) or on computational science and technology (specialisation in Tax and Technology). Dutch students may select a Dutch course in advanced corporate taxation and an additional elective, allowing them to deal with certain tax issues from a Dutch perspective.

What professions can I pursue with the Master’s in IETL?
For our graduates, there are very good international career perspectives.

Some of our students already have years of practical experience in domestic tax law but want to develop an excellent understanding of the international aspects of taxation. Often they return to their previous profession but with much more knowledge and a great experience.

Others are continuing their education or are just at the beginning of their professional career. With the Master’s in IETL, you can become a consultant in international tax and financial/legal matters for attorneys, accountants, tax advisory firms, banks, investment companies, insurers, or major international enterprises. This you can do in the Netherlands, in Europe or anywhere else in the world, but you may need additional training in local tax law for that. In fact, the student association organizes social events, including a trip to Luxembourg, to bring our students and employers together. We also provide the possibility to conduct an internship as part of the Master’s programme. With a background in Dutch tax law you can further meet the membership requirements for the Dutch Association of Tax Advisors (NOB).

You can pursue a career at a Ministry of Finance, become a tax inspector or become a tax judge at a court if you meet national legal requirements. Sometimes tax lawyers join an international organisation such as the OECD, UN, EU or the World Bank. Last, but not least, the Master’s in IETL offers you the possibility to join an educational institution and pursue an academic career in international taxation.

Why do students generally choose to study IETL at UM?
Besides the content of the programme and the excellent professional perspective, studying at UM is special in many different ways. UM is internationally renowned for problem-based learning (PBL) in small groups of no more than 19 students. In the classroom, students actively participate, cooperate, discuss and together solve practical problems that are the starting point of the learning process.

UM is a young, international university and in particular our Master’s in IETL has a very international classroom. Our IETL students have come from more than 60 countries. It is great to have so many different people and cultures here in Maastricht and at our programme.

Maastricht is a charming city with a lot of young people and great places to relax after studying. If you speak English, you can get around everywhere. Since the Faculty of Law is located in the city centre, it is just a short walk or bike-ride to many great restaurants, bars and highlights of Maastricht, such as Sint Servaasbrug, a 13th-century footbridge over the river Maas, the Stadspark with the city wall and picturesque water views, or the fortress Sint-Pieter.

USPs Master’s programme IETL at a glance?
 Content of the programme
 Problem-based learning
 Professional perspective

For more information about the master’s programme International and European Tax Law, its specialisations, courses, and admission requirements, go to the website >>