Master International and European Tax Law: Tax and Technology

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Maastricht University

Program Overview

The BA in Tax Law (Fiscaal Recht) at Maastricht University is a three-year program perfect for students passionate about dynamic tax issues affecting individuals and businesses, delivered in a small-scale, personal setting with our signature Problem-Based Learning (PBL) that keeps you actively engaged. You'll earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, building skills to advise on national and international tax matters, and it's ideal if you envision a career as a tax expert in companies, law firms, or government agencies like the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays a strong foundation in core tax principles, focusing on how taxes impact everyday individuals and businesses through courses like Concepts of Income and Business Taxation and introductory modules on Dutch tax regulations. You'll dive into real-world cases using PBL in small groups, learning to analyze income structures, deductions, and basic compliance—keeping things practical and collaborative from day one. This year sharpens your analytical skills while introducing the broader legal context of taxation.

Year 2 builds deeper expertise in business-oriented taxation, with key courses such as International and European Tax and Customs Law (TAX3013) alongside modules on corporate tax planning and cross-border issues. Through interactive tutorials, you'll tackle scenarios involving multinationals and policy challenges like environmental taxes, honing your ability to navigate complex regulations. It's where you'll start connecting national rules to the global stage, preparing for specialized roles.

Year 3 emphasizes advanced applications and electives, integrating courses like Tax and Customs Law with focuses on pensions, investments, and emerging areas like digital taxation. You'll refine your expertise through capstone projects and PBL cases on policy issues for cross-border employees and businesses, culminating in skills for real professional challenges. By graduation, you'll be ready to specialize in national or international tax law with confidence.

Focus Areas
International and European tax law, business taxation, customs, supply chain levies, tax policy (e.g., environmental taxes, pensions), and emerging tech like AI in taxation—building on the BA to lead into global careers.

Learning Outcomes
Gain expertise in tax advisory for businesses/individuals, mastery of Dutch/EU tax rules, analytical skills via PBL for cross-border challenges, and eligibility for professional bodies like NOB (Dutch Association of Tax Advisers) after pairing with our master's.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This BA combined with our Master's in International and European Tax Law qualifies you for civiel effect (bar admission in the Netherlands) and NOB membership (Dutch Association of Tax Advisers), requiring just 52 tax credits (met via our programs). It's accredited for top-tier tax advising without barriers to legal professions.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Maastricht's Tax Law BA ranks #1 in the Netherlands per Elsevier's Best Study Programmes, with 74% student satisfaction (10% above national average) and 93% recommending it—praised for program structure, exams, and education. The Law Faculty is top 25 worldwide (THE World University Rankings 2026), ensuring strong global employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Maastricht University, our BA in Tax Law dives deep into practical, hands-on learning right from the start, using our signature Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach in small, international groups to tackle real-world tax challenges like cross-border taxation and EU policy. You'll build essential skills through interactive tutorials where you analyze actual cases on transfer pricing, global minimum taxation, and even tax tech, all supported by the Maastricht Centre for Taxation (MCT)—an interdisciplinary hub blending tax law, accounting, and economics for cutting-edge research and education. This setup, housed in our Faculty of Law's city-center campus, gives you direct access to expert staff from the Department of Tax Law and collaborative projects that mirror professional tax consulting.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain experiential learning tailored to the program:
- Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions: Work in small groups on realistic tax scenarios, like multinational taxation or supply chain customs, honing analytical and teamwork skills in every course block.
- Maastricht Centre for Taxation (MCT): Join research themes on cross-border individual taxation and international business taxation, collaborating with faculty from tax law, accounting, and economics departments.
- FIRST Maastricht study association: Participate in group activities like monthly networking drinks, a study trip to Luxembourg for EU tax insights, and an international job fair to connect with employers.
- Department of Tax Law facilities: Access dedicated education and research resources focused on international/European tax law, including policy analysis on environmental taxes and pensions.
- Faculty of Law inner-city campus: Use our modern tutorial rooms and libraries in two historic buildings, integrated with university-wide tools for collaborative group projects and thesis work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Maastricht University, our BA in Tax Law (Fiscaal Recht) immerses you in hands-on learning right from the start, building real-world tax skills through our signature Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. You'll tackle actual tax cases in small, international groups, collaborating just like you would in a top tax firm—honing your analytical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving for national and international tax challenges. This practical focus is supported by the Faculty of Law's inner-city campus facilities, including dedicated spaces for group work, and connections to leading research hubs that bring cutting-edge tax insights into your studies.

Here's how you'll gain that edge with program-specific experiential opportunities:
- Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions: Dive into real tax scenarios in small groups of 15 or so, actively discussing and solving cases on Dutch, European, and international taxation to sharpen your practical expertise.
- Group projects and collaborations: Work closely with peers from diverse backgrounds on cross-border tax issues, mirroring multinational team environments and building your network through interactive coursework.
- FIRST Maastricht study association activities: Join tax law students for a study trip to Luxembourg (visiting key EU tax institutions), monthly networking drinks, and an international job fair to connect with employers and kickstart your career.
- Research integration via Maastricht Centre for Taxation (MCT): Engage with interdisciplinary experts from Tax Law, Accounting, and Economics departments on themes like cross-border individual taxation and business taxation, often through seminars or thesis guidance.
- Department of Tax Law resources: Access specialized support from staff focused on international/European tax law, including policy areas like environmental taxes and multinationals, for deeper practical research.
- Faculty libraries and campus facilities: Use the Faculty of Law's central libraries and study spaces in historic city-center buildings, plus opportunities for study abroad or internships through our global partnerships.