Taxation Master: Katholische Universität Eichstätt

Overview

The KU Master’s program in Taxation offers its students a multidisciplinary perspective on taxation. The curriculum combines in-depth knowledge on taxation from the perspective of accounting, public economics and law. You acquire detailed knowledge on the most important tax types and learn to apply such knowledge to solve complex problems. You investigate how taxes influence corporate decisions and discuss how tax policies should look. In addition, you get to know many different research methods.

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The program in detail

Students earn a total of 120 ECTS credits during their course of study. These are divided into required, required elective and elective modules as well as the Master's thesis. Students take four required modules (20 ECTS credits) and four required elective modules (20 ECTS credits) from the required elective area of taxation. In addition, they choose a further required elective module from the KU-wide course catalog on Studium.Pro. Furthermore, students obtain 45 ECTS credits in up to two minors and the free elective area. Students can choose between the minors “Accounting & Auditing”, “Business Law”, “Digitalization & Digital Business” and “Quantitative Methods” and choose their free elective modules from the entire range of modules available for Master’s degree students at the WFI.

Structure

Required modules

The four required modules in the program impart knowledge on interdisciplinary basics. These will lay the foundation for a substantiated tax training, irrespective of the chosen specializations.

Taxation of Business
International Company Taxation
Tax Policy
Ethics

Required electives

In the required elective area “Taxation”, you will deepen your knowledge in the field of taxation. In this area, you have to complete 20 ECTS credits. The courses can either have a theoretical character or provide you with opportunities to apply your acquired knowledge to case studies. As part of the required elective area “Taxation”, you have to attend at least one seminar (“Current Issues in Company Taxation” or “Current Issues in Tax Policy”). Furthermore, they choose one module from the KU-wide course catalog on Studium.Pro.

Minor

Students obtain 45 ECTS credits in elective modules, including 15 (or 30) ECTS in one (or two) two minors.

They can choose between the following minors (15 ECTS credits each):

Accounting & Auditing
The minor “Accounting & Auditing“ offers in-depth insights into accounting and auditing processes. By choosing this minor, students qualify in particular for a career in (small- and medium-sized) tax consulting firms and for working in professional fields at the intersection of tax advisory and financial accounting.
Business Law
The minor “Business Law” focuses on different areas of business law. It offers students a valuable preparation opportunity for a career in tax consultancy, in company tax departments or for tax-related careers in ministries, business associations and international organizations.
Digitization & Digital Businesses
The minor “Digitization and Digital Businesses“ provides students with in-depth knowledge of digitization and data processing in relation to companies. This minor qualifies students in particular for a future career in tax consultancies or the industry in the context of the digitization and automation of the taxation process. Furthermore, this minor prepares students for tax-related jobs in ministries, business associations and international organizations, which are also subject to increasing changes brought about by digitization processes.
Quantitative Methods
The minor "Quantitative Methods" deepens students’ knowledge of empirical methods and econometrics and prepares them for subsequent Ph.D. studies in the field of taxation or for a career in tax policy consulting.

Elective modules

Students can choose their freely elective modules from the entire range of modules available for Master’s degree students at the WFI - Ingolstadt School of Management. Like this, the elective area gives students the possibility to approach a subject in business administration, economics, business languages or law in depth or to dedicate themselves to general scientific questions.

Furthermore, it is also possible to have selected modules from the Bachelor’s program credited to the Master’s.

Master’s thesis

The Master's thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits and must be completed at a Chair that offers at least one course in the required or required elective program or in a minor of the program as chosen by the student. We support students who wish to write their Master's thesis in cooperation with a company or public institution.

Module plan

The program in awards and rankings

The degree programs offered by the Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) regularly score top positions in popular university rankings.

Top positions in Trendence Graduate Baromenter 2017
CHE Ranking: WFI was awarded top ranking in categories “teaching offer”, “completion of programs within reasonable time period” and “students overall”
According to the magazine Wirtschaftswoche, the KU and its faculty WFI is among the top 20 universities in Germany for business administration programs that recruiters like to see in job applications of graduates.
Top rankings in 'Logistik Masters' 2016, 2017

Rankings and assessments

In 2020 for the second time in a row, the KU has been elected among the ten most popular universities in Germany by its students and alumni. In a ranking published by the online portal Studycheck.de, the KU took fourth place among all German universities. Among all Bavarian universities, the KU was elected the most popular university.

“We are very happy that the KU achieved such a great ranking again this year – especially because this ranking is directly based on student feedback. This result is both an accolade and additional motivation for all parties involved”, says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

During the Master’s program in Taxation, students have the possibility to study abroad for one or even two semesters at one of our more than 90 partner universities. A semester abroad in the Master's program is usually completed in the third semester. Whether you want to go to North America or Asia, Australia, South America or Europe – we have the right program for you.

Our students are at home in Ingolstadt and in the world: Multilingual degree programs and a unique network of more than 90 partner universities worldwide make the WFI a global campus with an international study atmosphere. The vast majority of our students (approx. 90%) are enthusiastic about spending one or even several semesters at one of our renowned international partner universities.

Practical connection

Students at the WFI have many opportunities to put what they have learned into practice. Thanks to collaborations with leading companies and organizations in many different fields, the KU is able to offer excellent prospects when it comes to finding internships and starting a career in Germany or abroad. Networking opportunities are provided by our University’s career fair “Company Day” and many other recruiting events, as well as presentations by companies and various workshops.

Studying at the WFI is more than ‘just’ learning. Most students are active in different student organizations. Like this, they continuously hone their soft skills and can exchange views with students from other disciplines. The “WFI spirit” means outstanding commitment.

Right from the start of the program, guest lectures from practitioners provide a practical component to the course of study . Furthermore, students have the opportunity to prepare their Master’s thesis in collaboration with a company, consultancy firm or institution (e.g. EU Commission, ifo, IMF).

We would like to thank our partners in the industry for supporting our teaching practice:

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

Students of this program have the possibility to prepare for specific tax-related career paths already during their course of study by selecting corresponding minors and required electives. Our graduates are predestined for being employed at tax departments of companies, in tax advisory, for tax-related careers in ministries and international organizations. The program also prepares students well for a doctorate.

Qualification objectives

Graduates of the program

are able to perform specialist and management jobs in a national or international environment competently and responsibly ,
have a broad and detailed understanding of complex effects of taxation on individuals’ and firms’ behavior can apply relevant legal sources, legal commentaries as well as the relevant court rulings and administrative guidelines to solve national and cross-border tax law issues,
are enabled to critically discuss and evaluate tax regulations,
are able to think in an interdisciplinary way and use knowledge from different areas to solve specific problems,
are familiar with current theoretical and empirical scientific research methods and are able to independently interpret and critically reflect on new research results
learn to combine scientific rigor with practice-oriented thinking
deal with ethical and social problems in an interdisciplinary way, can deal with interdisciplinary topics in a qualified manner and reflect on current social issues and challenges
are aware of the macroeconomic implications of tax regulations and their significance for a sustainable development of society; they reflect the ethical-moral requirements for a responsible performance of tax activities and implement this in their professional practice.
are able to confidently discuss specialist topics and can apply their knowledge to new issues in this field
expand their knowledge of presentation techniques, teamwork, self- and time management
acquire foreign language skills.

Information on tax consultant examination

The Master’s degree program in Taxation lays the foundation for the German tax consultant examination. The written part of the examination comprises three written examinations. The following overview shows which courses from the Master’s degree program in Taxation serve as a preparation for the fundamental contents of the tax consultant exam:

Voices about the program

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Werner Sinn (former president of the ifo Institute)

“All western economies have economic systems that attach major importance to the public sector. In many cases, the state’s share in the national product is 50 per cent or more. The financing of the state through taxes is therefore one of the central problem areas economists should deal with. This involves, on the one hand, understanding the complexity of the public tax system and, on the other hand, the theoretical and empirical analysis of the effects of taxation on private economic behavior and state revenues. The Master's program in Taxation at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is taught by competent lecturers. It promises a profound education in an important field, which is of great interest both to the private and public sector. Professional career opportunities are exceptionally good. "

What our industry partners say about the program

Dr. Richard Schmidtke (Partner Transfer Pricing at Deloitte)

"Digitization will fundamentally change tax consulting, whether in the area of tax planning, compliance or controversy. To actively shape these changes and not to be passively (negatively) affected by them, comprehensive training and education in the field will be more important than ever in the future. I am therefore pleased that this Master's program in Taxation gives students the opportunity to prepare themselves comprehensively for our future challenges".

Prof. Dr. Jens Blumenberg, StB (Partner at Linklaters)

"There is hardly a business decision that is not influenced by taxation. For this reason alone, knowledge of the institutional foundations of tax law is not sufficient in tax advisory practice. We also need a correct understanding and goal-oriented consideration of the effects associated with taxation. The Master of Science in Taxation achieves this in an excellent way. The innovative and well-balanced curriculum combines academic standards with practical relevance and thus offers a perfect basis for a promising career in business and consulting practice".

Sandra Zölch, StBin (Partner Indirect Tax at PwC)

"As a former WFI student and alumna, I still maintain a very close and trusting relationship with the WFI. To meet the challenges of our time, it is more important than ever to create the basis for the subsequent professional career – both personally and professionally – during the studies. By combining social commitment with highly qualified study contents, the WFI offers optimal conditions for this. The Master's degree program in "Taxation" enables students to deal with tax issues in a targeted manner and to acquire a substantiated knowledge to lay the foundation for preparing for the tax consultant exam. I am very pleased to support this degree program with a teaching assignment in the field of value-added tax to create a link between theory and practice and to pass on my practical experience to future generations".

Dr. Stefan Kusterer (Senior Partner at Warth & Klein)

"The market is definitely in need for a degree program in “Taxation", as is now successfully offered by the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt with its excellent study offer in the areas of law and economics – a truly distinguishing combination that sets the program apart from other competitors.”

Axel Dewitz, StB, LLM, EMBA (Head of Taxes, Customs, M&A at AUDI AG)

"The demands on decision-makers in companies have grown almost exponentially in today's world. This is especially true in the area of corporate taxation, both legally and politically. In this respect, the Master's program in "Taxation" of the KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt prepares students almost ideally for this new reality at the intersection of business administration and economics, tax law and tax policy. A great stepping stone with good prospects into the exciting world of taxes."

Julian Philip, student

"The Taxation Master is characterized in particular by the broad education. In addition to the numerous application-oriented modules, theoretical backgrounds are taught, giving students a comprehensive understanding of tax processes and their backgrounds. Furthermore, the individual support at the WFI is a winning feature. This enables a very friendly and informal learning atmosphere and the development of a versatile network of lecturers and practice partners."

The KU

Campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The campus in Ingolstadt, home to the Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI), consists of the Main Building and the New Building, separated by a peaceful courtyard. The ample green spaces on the Ingolstadt campus invite students to enjoy their surroundings outside during lecture breaks and meet fellow students. If you prefer to spend your breaks in town running errands, Ingolstadt’s city center is just a few minutes’ walk away. Other faculty buildings are the Studierendenhaus and the Hohe Schule that was home to the first Bavarian state university in the 15^th century.

[Translate to Englisch:] Studierende Ingolstadt

What sets the KU apart

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network with over 260 partner universities.

The location

Muenster_IN_EN — © City of Ingolstadt Cathedral

Kreuztor_IN_EN — © City of Ingolstadt Kreuztor

Rathausplatz_IN_EN — © City of Ingolstadt Town hall square

© ERC Ingolstadt Ice hockey ERC Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt is the second largest city in Upper Bavaria after Munich and is only a 30-minute drive away from the state capital. Located in the heart of the Altmühl valley and the largest hop-growing area in the world - the Hallertau - Ingolstadt has a broad cultural offer.

There are regular classical concerts in the AUDI forum, many different student events, and the Volksfeste, beer festivals that are typical for Bavaria (small Oktoberfest Wiesn festivals). Ingolstadt has many restaurants, bars, beer gardens and clubs that are all located in the historical, picturesque old town and are perfect for enjoying a beer or two with friends after the lectures. Last but not least, Munich with its vast cultural offer is just around the corner.

Together with the district of Eichstätt, the Ingolstadt region has the lowest unemployment rate in Germany. This is partly owing to the fact that many well-known large companies such as EADS, AUDI, EDEKA, Media-Markt Saturn or Hipp have their headquarters in the Ingolstadt region.

Further information

Application procedure

For us, the studies start as early as with the application. We select all our students personally. In this way, we ensure that your fellow students are as motivated as you are. In addition, we make sure that all our first-year students have the same level of prior knowledge. The human aspect is equally important. The ability to work in a team, motivation and social commitment are just as important as the professional training. In addition to carrying out an aptitude test, we also provide study guidance in the introductory meeting. Here, we answer all questions you may have concerning the degree program and support you in planning your studies by giving individually tailored advice.

We are looking forward to your application!

1. Online application

Please submit your application documents in our online portal. You will be guided through the application process and we will ensure that your application is complete and formally correct.

2. Selection interview

Following the online application process, we review all documents and invite all suitable candidates for a personal interview. During the selection interview, the following criteria are evaluated:

Personal appearance and motivation,
Methodical knowledge,
Specialist knowledge.

In order to determine the existing expertise, basics of income taxation and a fundamental understanding of tax policy issues are examined in particular.

Provided that all requirements are met, you will receive a confirmation of admission.

Information on the selection procedure is available in the annex of the examination regulations.

Recommended basic knowledge at the start of your studies

For an optimal introduction to the tax law courses, you should have basic knowledge of corporate taxation (especially income taxation). For preparation, we recommend Scheffler, W: Besteuerung von Unternehmen 1.: Ertrag‑, Substanz- und Verkehrssteuern.

The courses in public finance require a basic understanding of mathematical economic models. For preparation, we recommend Pindyck and Rubinfeld: Microeconomics (chapters 1-4). The required lecture in public finance is held in English.

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What is Catholic about the KU?

Taxation meets public finance