Tax_Students

MSc in Taxation (Part Time)

Overview

 

The Oxford MSc in Taxation is a two-year part-time postgraduate degree offered by the Oxford University Faculty of Law, and is taught in association with the Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation based at Saïd Business School. 

If you wish to study individual electives rather than the full degree, please look under 'Non-degree students' for more information.

Unusual among Masters in Taxation degrees, the MSc in Taxation has been designed by a combination of lawyers and economists. The degree is taught by lawyers and economists from the Faculty of Law and the Centre for Business Taxation, as well as a select group of practising lawyers and other leading academics. This combination ensures that students not only acquire a detailed understanding of technical law, but also the ability to think deeply about the underlying policy considerations. An element of interdisciplinarity runs through the whole degree and, in addition, the in-built flexibility of the course allows students to tailor their studies to their individual preferences.

This flexibility is particularly important because the MSc in Taxation has been designed as a part-time degree to appeal to a range of students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. The degree aims to accommodate both those who are engaged in full-time careers and those who are taking a break but have other duties and responsibilities.

These unique features of the MSc in Taxation make it the ideal degree for practitioners in law and accounting firms who wish to move from a technical to a deeper understanding of taxation: insights that will help propel their career forward. This approach also makes this the degree of choice for those working in revenue authorities and treasury departments, as well as for those contemplating an academic career in taxation. Teaching is planned so that the many skills-sets and knowledge bases represented in the class are accommodated and developed to enhance class discussion.

The increased focus on taxation by politicians and the media, as well as the ever-increasing technical demands of the subject and the pace of change at an international level, means that there has never been a more important time to study taxation from a range of perspectives.

MSc in Taxation - Timetable 2024-25
MSc in Taxation Student Handbook
MSc in Taxation Student Profiles - Class of 2024
MSc in Taxation Student Profiles - Class of 2023
MSc in Taxation - Newsletter 2023

Course in brief

Course length
2 years

Contact Details

All enquiries relating to the MSc in Taxation should be directed to the MSc in Taxation Office

Key Elements

  • The MSc in Taxation is open to both lawyers and non-lawyers, and can be tailored to meet different interests

  • Students take nine courses over two years - three compulsory core courses and six elective courses. The norm is for students to take five courses in Year 1. With permission they may take four courses in Year 1 and five in Year 2

  • A 12,000 word dissertation in lieu of two elective courses is also available

  • Teaching is mainly in lectures and interactive classes, and is structured to enable students to fit their studies around work and other commitments

  • A virtual learning environment provides students with access to course materials and research resources, and enables them to remain in contact with teachers and other students during periods away from Oxford

  • Attendance at all core courses and chosen electives is mandatory

Practical information

Official course overview, application deadlines and application procedures can be found on the main Oxford University website

Structure

Teaching is undertaken in Oxford in intensive periods, primarily during three residential weeks and at weekends, or in other short blocks of time. Care has been taken in designing the degree to ensure that, despite its part-time nature, students still enjoy the unique Oxford experience, including Oxford teaching methods, small class sizes, college life and interaction with Oxford faculty and students. 

The MSc in Taxation is open to both lawyers and non-lawyers, and can be tailored to meet different interests. The degree is ideal for practitioners in law and accounting firms who wish to get a deeper understanding of taxation. It is also a great way to keep in touch during career breaks.

Students take nine courses over two years - three compulsory core courses and six elective courses. The norm is for students to take five courses in Year 1. 

  • Tax Principles and Policy
  • Principles of International Taxation
  • Tax Research Round Table

Electives are taught in Oxford as intensives, over two weekends or in other short blocks of time. Typically electives are assessed by way of two 3,000 word assignments.

The degree is not designed for distance learning but for people who will attend the courses in Oxford in person.

 

Year 1
Year 2
Elective Courses 2024-25

Core Courses 

Electives

Core Course

Electives

Electives on offer in 2024-25 are as follows:

  • Ethical Issues in Tax Practice
  • EU Tax Law
  • International Tax Reform, The Two Pillar Solution
  • Problems in Transfer Pricing and PE Profit Attribution
  • Rereading Classic Texts in Tax Law and Policy
  • Tax and Development
  • Tax and Public Policy
  • Tax Treaties
  • US International Tax 

Some electives are offered every other year, for a full list of electives offered by the MSc in Taxation, please click here.

Elective Courses 2024-25

Student Experience

Students on the Oxford MSc in Taxation will be members of one of the participating Oxford colleges. Long term accommodation in college is not provided as this is a part-time degree. However, some colleges may be able to let out guest rooms for some of the electives. Arrangements are made for the three mandatory courses.

Students will find that college membership enriches their time at Oxford, offering the chance to interact with faculty and students from diverse academic backgrouds in situations varying from high table dinners to college balls. Students will be able to attend a wide range of conferences and guest lectures at the Faculty of Law and Centre for Business Taxation, and have access to University facilities, including the Bodleian Law Library - one of the largest and most important open-access law libraries in Europe. Students also have distance access to an extensive range of online databases, including Westlaw, LexisNexis, IBFD, OECD and Tax Analysts.

I am currently Head of Tax at one of the largest equities hedge fund managers in Europe. Having specialised in tax for the past 12 years as a tax advisor in one of the big four accounting firms and presently in the hedge fund industry; I have been looking to pursue graduate study to further enhance my knowledge of tax, thus was excited to hear of the launch of the part-time MSc in Taxation by the world-renowned Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford

The programme is ideal because of its part-time format. As I do not have to take two years off from work, I would be able to immediately put into practice the knowledge acquired while staying close to my young family

Admissions

Admissions

The eligibility criteria and entry requirements can be found on the Admissions website. Please click on 'Apply' for more information.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has recognised the University of Oxford MSc in Taxation as a qualification which gives an entitlement to Confirmation of Eligibility to register as a student for the CTA exams. For further details of the CTA exams please see www.tax.org.uk.

In cases meeting the criteria specified by the CIOT, students electing to write an extended dissertation may be able to submit that dissertation separately, once they have completed their degree, for a CTA Direct Fellowship. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Education Team at CIOT on 020 7340 0550 or education@ciot.org.uk

Non-Degree & Australian Students

We are offering a limited number of places on the MSc in Taxation elective courses to a select group of non-degree students interested in attending the lectures but not able/willing to pursue the full degree. 

An information sheet with further details, including how to apply, can be found here for non-degree students, and here for any students from Australian Universities. If you are alumni of the Oxford part-time MSc in Taxation, then you will receive a 50% discount. 

We have agreements with the following institutions to accept a small number of their students on the individual electives:

  • Melbourne Law School, the University of Melbourne (students on the Masters of Laws (LLM), Master of Tax or Master in International Tax)
  • The University of Sydney (students on the Master of Laws (LLM) or the Master of Tax (MTax))
  • The University of New South Wales (students on the Master of Taxation (MTax) or the Master of Laws (LLM))

Scholarships and Prizes

There are a small number of scholarships available specifically for MSc in Taxation students. In addition, prizes are available for the best performance in each course and elective. 

Careers and Internships

The MSc in Taxation course administrators and the Careers Service can provide you with support in your career planning and management. As an Oxford Alumnus, you can attend careers events, fairs, workshops and company presentations. Your student account on CareerConnect will switch to an alumni account when your University card expires, ensuring you stay up-to-date with job vacancies, events, skills sessions, fairs and resources on job sectors, applications and international opportunities. The Careers Service website can be found at http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/. 

The Careers Service also provides information about a series of Professional networking events.

Governance

Discover more about the MSc in Taxation at the Oxford Law Faculty by hearing from students and faculty.

MSc in Taxation