Target group
The six-semester studies are aimed at students who aspire to work in tax consulting, auditing or in corresponding fields of activity in companies at middle or higher management level. The program is particularly attractive for prospective students who are ultimately aiming to become tax consultants and/or auditors.

Aim of the studies
The Taxation and Auditing (B.A.) program is designed to enable graduates to competently take on tasks in the auditing and tax advisory field in the liberal professions, in companies, but also in associations and public institutions.

The guiding principle is the initial ability and qualification to perform tasks at management level before completing the corresponding professional examinations. The studies provide the foundation courses necessary for professional practice.

Graduates are able to successfully implement scientific findings and problem-solving concepts in practical applications. They learn to analyze economic and legal issues and to subsume legal norms to them. Great emphasis is placed on learning the ability to subsume law, as this is an important foundation course for later successful work.

During their studies, students develop the ability to judge and the competence to critically reflect on science and professional practice and are able to classify issues in overarching contexts. The skills for independent continuing education are taught, as this is an important prerequisite for later professional practice.

Content and structure of studies
In the Bachelor's program, students are taught the following areas of knowledge and qualifications:

• subject-specific core competencies in tax and auditing (e.g. income tax, international tax law, group accounting)
• subject-related skills (e.g. introduction to business administration and economics, external and internal accounting, controlling and investments)
• personnel and social skills (e.g. communication and negotiation, team development and business ethics)

In the fifth semester, students take part in a practical phase. This gives them an insight into work situations in their future professional life and allows them to put the knowledge they have gained in their theoretical apprenticeship to the test in practical application. At the end of the Bachelor's program, the Bachelor's thesis must be completed and presented in an oral examination. The program (see illustration below) is modular, with each module concluding with a performance examination.

Here you will find a graphic overview of your course of study and the programme content(see illustration).

In a globalised economy, where countries are increasingly interconnected, international tax issues are becoming more and more significant. The International Tax Week (ITW) addresses these challenges and offers students a unique opportunity to deal deeply into a specific tax topic – currently focusing on transfer pricing. The ITW is organised annually by eight universities from six countries, including the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, representing its ‘Taxation and Auditing’ study programme.

Theory meets practice
The ITW aims to deepen the participants' knowledge of cross-border transactions and their tax implications. In multinational teams, students work on practical case studies and experience real business situations. Special emphasis is placed on dealing with time pressure and working together in international teams – experiences that are invaluable in professional practice.
The week is characterised by interactive tasks: students write reports, give presentations and present their solutions to the ‘board members’ at the end. This scenario simulates a real business environment and gives participants the opportunity to present their solutions in a practical manner and receive valuable feedback.

Expert knowledge at first hand
Another highlight of the ITW is the lectures by experts, who offer deep insights into the topic of transfer pricing. These expert lectures link theoretical foundations with practical applications and make the complexity of international tax law tangible. The programme is complemented by negotiation simulations, where students can further develop their communication and negotiation skills – abilities that are in high demand among employers.

Intercultural exchange and personal development
In addition to the academic content, intercultural exchange also plays a major role. Students experience firsthand the challenges of working in diverse teams, where members come from different educational backgrounds and have different approaches and communication styles. By using English as the working language, participants also strengthen their language skills in a professional environment.

Voices of the teaching staff
The teaching staff repeatedly emphasise the uniqueness of this course. “Students are out of their comfort zone, in another country, working with students they don’t know and somehow they need to collaborate. Our students were very positive about the tax week and their own development during that week”, explains Arne ter Beek from Saxion University of Applied Sciences. Fleur van der Werf from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences emphasises the intercultural exchange: “The ITW is a great week for students to get away from home, in a different environment with people from different cultures speaking different languages, having to use – and being able to practice - their English language skills.”

“This event is crucial for students because it provides them with a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical, real-world context. It also fosters essential soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and cultural awareness in an English context.” (Murielle Thunus, Hénallux University College Namur-Liège-Luxembourg, Belgium)

The positive feedback from the teaching staff shows how valuable the ITW is for students' personal and professional development. It not only creates an understanding of international tax issues, but also an awareness of the importance of intercultural cooperation – qualities that are indispensable in a globalised working environment.

What students said about the last ITW in Cologne in 2024
Participants are also enthusiastic about the ITW:

• “I loved the International Tax Week. It really exceeded my expectations. I appreciate the chance to have this experience and to expand my network with my peers.” (Maynaka H., Saxion University of Applied Sciences)
• “I really enjoyed all the lessons. I’m majoring in tax, so all the topics were relevant to my studies.” (Christian F. M., Hénallux University College Namur-Liège-Luxembourg, Belgium)
• “I enjoyed meeting new people from other countries and working together. The topics covered were interesting. I found them and the case study very useful and relevant to my studies. My teammates were engaged, and I enjoyed collaborating with them. Probably, after this experience, I find these topics more interesting than before.” (Rebecca T., Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy)
• “I liked meeting new people and being able to work on a ‘real’ case. The topics were relevant, and the connection to reality was evident. I am on the international programme, so it is highly relevant to my studies.’ (Carla D., Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland)

In addition to the intensive work on the case study, the ITW also offers opportunities for social activities. Joint excursions, such as visiting Christmas markets, and relaxed evenings strengthen the sense of community and make the week an unforgettable experience.

Participating universities
The ITW is organised by the following universities:

• Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Belgium
• Hénallux University College Namur-Liège-Luxembourg, Belgium
• Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
• Rotterdam Business School, the Netherlands
• Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
• Birmingham City University, UK
• Coventry University, UK

The International Tax Week is a unique opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge of the tax implications of cross-border activities, gain valuable practical experience and develop intercultural skills. It combines intensive academic work with personal development and strengthens the participants for their future careers in a global environment.

• Proof of a general higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, a relevant subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification or an equivalently recognized previous education.
• Proof of practical work experience in the form of a 12-week internship, which must be completed by the beginning of the fourth semester at the latest. At least three of the following functional areas must be completed during the internship, whereby the accounting functional area is mandatory:
  • Procurement,
  • materials management,
  • production planning,
  • organization,
  • Accounting,
  • information technology,
  • credit management,
  • human resources,
  • marketing/sales,
  • taxation and
  • auditing.