Whether in business, science or politics - tax issues accompany us in all areas of life. Research and teaching in Göttingen are oriented towards this: Our Master's programme in Taxation provides you with a broad examination of the subject of taxation.
The Master’s programme in Taxation (MSc) has been closed for the winter semester 2023/2024. It is no longer possible to apply for this programme. Students who are already enrolled will be able to complete the Master's programme. An examination for the Master's programme in Taxation will be held for the last time in the summer semester 2025.
The Master's programme in Taxation distinguishes itself from other economic Master's programmes within the faculty due to its depth of institutional knowledge, methodological breadth, and substantial understanding of business administration and certain legal aspects. It is oriented towards macroeconomics and builds upon microeconomic and macroeconomic theories.
Students specialize in the field of taxation. Specifically, the programme caters to economists seeking to acquire practical expertise for both policy and corporate environments, as well as business professionals with a keen interest in tax policy matters.
The Master's programme in Taxation is divided into the course phase (1st-3rd semester) and the Master's thesis (4th semester). The programme is fully modularised and comprises 120 credits in a standard period of study of four semesters. It is not possible to take credits from a module on a pro rata basis. The Master's programme in Taxation is structured in detail as follows:
Compulsory elective area (60 C)
Elective basic modules (at least 24 C)
Compulsory elective area of finance (at least 12 C)
Compulsory elective area of business taxation (at least 12 C)
Specialisation area law (at least 6 C)
Business administration (6 C)
Methods area (12 C)
Elective area (12 C)
Master's thesis (30 C)
Study abroad
The Faculty of Business and Economics offers you many opportunities to study one or two semesters at an international partner university. There are three different programmes, each with different partner universities and application deadlines:
Erasmus+: You will study at one of the more than 60 partner universities of the Faculty in other European countries (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
Worldwide faculty programmes: You will study at one of the numerous partner universities of the Faculty of Business and Economics abroad, e.g. in the USA, Latin America, South Africa, Japan, China, South Korea and Thailand (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
Worldwide university programmes: You study at a partner university of the University of Göttingen, e.g. in Australia, India, the USA, Canada or China (all students of the University can apply for these programmes).
If you go abroad within the framework of one of the above-mentioned programmes, you usually do not have to pay tuition fees for studying at a foreign partner university (the University of Mississippi charges reduced tuition fees).
In order to apply the acquired knowledge in the business world, to gain first work experience or to get to know possible relevant professional fields - the Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes students to gain practical experience during their studies. Therefore, you have the possibility to have a voluntary internship in the elective area of your studies credited under certain conditions. You can find detailed information here.
Graduates of the Master’s programme in Taxation can look forward to diverse career opportunities in business (particularly in tax departments), management consulting, associations, in the public sector, banking, and insurance. The MSc programme also offers opportunities for which to continue academic studies as a doctoral student at universities in Germany and abroad. In addition, graduates can also gain the necessary skills to work for renowned research institutions.
A voice on the degree programme from business and administration:
Prof. Dr. Clemens Fuest
President of the ifo Institute for Economic Research, Munich
"Taxes play a role in all areas of the economy. To understand them, you have to combine business, economic and legal knowledge. The Master's programme in Taxation offers exactly this mix. Anyone who takes this programme is very well prepared for professional practice."
WHAT OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI SAY ABOUT STUDYING IN GÖTTINGEN
"In the course of my studies, I was able to link the contents I had learned from finance, business taxation and tax law and thus gain a more comprehensive understanding. From my point of view, this is what makes this degree programme so appealing and was a very exciting and interesting learning process for me."
Eleonore Kaluza,
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, international tax law
"The Master’s programme in Taxation in Göttingen is unique in its consideration of economics. The many top-class external lecturers have created a very high level of practical relevance and have greatly enriched my view of the subject areas."
Niklas Brandes,
Ernst & Young (EY), tax area
We accompany you through your studies
Your teaching team (selection)
Business taxation
Prof. Dr. Andreas Oestreicher
"My goal is to convey the professional and methodological foundations for a successful career in practice or academia. I want to arouse curiosity and enthusiasm in students for the interrelationships of business and taxation and look forward to interested young people who want to take on the challenges of their studies and learn."
Public Economics
Prof. Dr. Robert Schwager
“Finance deals with the basic question of society: What are the tasks of the state, is it too weak or too powerful, are taxes too high or too low? Where should the line be drawn between freedom and welfare, individual responsibility and security, individual rights and community claims?“
Microeconomics
Prof. Dr. Claudia Keser
“Tell me and I will forget. Show me, and I may keep it. Let me do it, and I will be able to (Confucius) - this is the leitmotif for my teaching.”
EY Endowed Chair of Financial Governance
Prof. Dr. Benedikt Downar
"What information do investors and management need to make sustainable decisions? How can the sustainability performance of companies be presented transparently? We want to enable students to understand both financial and sustainability information, to critically question it and to be able to analyse it in the overall context".
Do you have any questions?
Are you wondering whether a study programme at the Faculty of Business and Economics is right for you or do you have questions about the course of studies, placement in a higher semester or recognition of academic achievements? During our office hours, we advise you on site at the Oeconomicum, digitally via BBB and by telephone without prior registration.