MSc in Taxation

About the course

The MSc in Taxation is offered by the Law Faculty and is taught in association with the Centre for Business Taxation based at the Saïd Business School. It is aimed at both lawyers and non-lawyers, and combines intensive engagement with the detail of relevant case law and statute with broader theoretical and inter-disciplinary perspectives.

Course structure

The MSc in Taxation offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of taxation which encompasses perspectives drawn from the fields of law, economics and accounting and aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of policy issues relating to taxation as well as the technical aspects of the subject, and of an understanding of the relationship between the two.

The course is part-time only and undertaken over a period of 24 months. It comprises three compulsory courses - Tax Principles and Policy, Principles of International Taxation, and the Tax Research Round Table – and six electives, typically three per year. Electives will be selected from a list of options which will include courses such as UK Corporate Tax, EU Tax Law, Value Added Tax, Tax and Human Rights, Taxation of Corporate Finance, Transfer Pricing, Tax Treaties, US International Tax and Tax and Public Policy.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Law Faculty and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside of the Law Faculty, eg from the Centre for Business Taxation.

Students should expect to meet their supervisor at least once a term. This could be in person, over the phone or online.

Assessment

The degree features a combination of forms of assessment. Tax Principles and Policy is assessed by way of an exam in Oxford. Principles of International Taxation is assessed by way of two 3,000-word assignments. The Tax Research Round Table course is assessed by way of an extended essay. Elective courses typically are assessed by way of two 3,000 word assignments. A 12,000- word dissertation in lieu of two elective courses is also available, with the permission of a programme director.

Graduate destinations

Students will generally pursue careers in taxation law and regulation, accountancy, and economics. The Careers Service provides advice and support for students seeking to pursue careers in a wide range of professions. The Law Faculty has an extensive network of relationships within the legal profession and each year offers a number of talks and events run by law firms and barristers’ chambers.

Some firms and organisations have approached the MSc in Taxation group directly to offer internships and other opportunities in the past and we hope this will continue.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in law, economics or accounting; or, if in another subject, applicants should have a suitable professional qualification and/or experience, or other evidence of an interest in taxation. Applicants who cannot satisfy the strong upper second-class degree requirement may be considered in exceptional circumstances where there is alternative evidence of real academic strength and aptitude for the degree, such as professional qualifications from the Law Society, ICAEW, CIOT or overseas equivalent professional body plus at least two years professional tax experience; or at least five years experience working in tax and other evidence of academic capacity (eg having written articles or a book). For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.