Organisation

Within the Netherlands, where since the 1960s tax law has become a prominent area of specialisation in law and economic faculties, Leiden is known for its early specialisation in international tax. In 1986 it created the first chair in the world exclusively for international tax law, and in 2001 the International Tax Center – located since 2003 in a beautifully restored landmark building along the Rapenburg canal – was set up to accommodate the rapidly increasing interest in teaching and research programmes in international tax law.

The Master’s of Advanced Studies in International Tax Law was offered for the first time in 1998 (previously entitled the LL.M. Programme in International Taxation), and has undergone regular changes in the range and content of (many of) its courses. The programme currently proposed represents a further development of the original set-up. It will include a new course specifically designated to enhance the students’ research skills. This expansion takes advantage of the prominent research profiles of the Leiden University faculty members specialised in international and EC tax law.

The Master’s of Advanced Studies in International Tax Law at Leiden University is housed in the building of the Inter¬national Tax Center. A fully equipped and beautifully restored 15th century landmark building in the very centre of old Leiden. Students also have access to the Library of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (in Amsterdam).

Student facilities

The Law School is housed in the monumental Kamerlingh Onnes Building, a fully equipped and beautifully restored landmark building in the heart of historic Leiden. From the accreditation report:
The programme is taught in Leiden (Kamerlingh Onnes Building). The building environment as well as the materials supplied for students are more than sufficient to carry out adequate study for the duration of the programme.

Libraries available for students
The Institute has an extensive library, containing both traditional and electronic sources of international tax law, including studies on specific themes, handbooks dealing with law and policy, as well as the world’s most reputable journals. In addition, the Peace Palace in The Hague, which hosts the International Court of Justice, has one of the world’s largest collections in the field of international public and private law, national law and an impressive collection on the international political and diplomatic history and the history of peace movements. This library also houses the Grotius Collection, the collection on the eminent 17th century Dutchman Hugo de Groot, founder of international law.

Student counseling
Student counseling is an important feature of our programme. The 2007 accreditation panel:
[…] feels positive about the very personal way in which deficiencies are handled. The fact that most teachers have a great deal of international experience is expected to have a positive contribution to the way in which the students (from many different backgrounds) are counseled. All relevant information about the programme is communicated via Email and Blackboard. The panel thinks this is an adequate way to communicate with the students.

Graduation
Students who have successfully completed the examinations and whose thesis has been approved will be awarded the Master of Advanced Studies in International Tax Law diploma during a graduation ceremony held at the very end of August.