For the application form and more detailed information on the application process and admission, please visit the Application Website of "Berlin School of Economic and Law".

1. What requirements are needed in order to apply for this postgraduate programme?
2. How can I apply?
3. Till when can I apply for the M.A. programme?


Tuition Fees

4. What is the tuition fee for this Master programme?
5. Do I need to pay the costs of my flight to South Africa as well as accommodation and living cost?

Living costs and organizational support

6. What are the estimated living costs in Berlin?
7. How do I find and organize my accommodation in Berlin?
8. How do I find and organize my accommodation in South Africa?

 Scholarship and financial support

9. Can I apply for financial support?
10. What kind of financial support is available?  

11. How do I apply for financial support?

Content

12. What will I learn in the M.A. program and who should apply?
13. Is the programme offered through distance learning or is it a residency programme?
14. In which language will the EMT program be taught?

Transfer Project

15. How to choose the topic of my Transfer Project?
16. What kind of support will I get working on my Transfer Project?
17. Is there a link between the Transfer Project and the Master Thesis?
18. How will the results be presented?
19. How will outstanding Transfer Projects and Master thesis be awarded?

 

FAQ - Answers

1. What requirements are needed in order to apply for this postgraduate programme?

• Minimum of a three-year full-time bachelor’s degree, preferably in Economics, Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or in related fields
• At least one year of relevant professional work experience, preferably acquired on the African continent
• For non-native English speakers, proof of excellent English proficiency. (The standard required is based on one of the following results in the most widely used tests: TOEFL – 550 (paper-based), TOEFL – 213 (computer-based), TOEFL – 79 (internet-based), BULATS – 75 or IELTS – 6.5.)

How can I apply?
If you meet the entry requirements and are interested in applying, please visit the Website of Berlin School of Economic and Law and use the online application tool.
The following documents/information will be needed:

• Scan of your passport or ID 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Scan of your University entrance eligibility (e.g. high school diploma, which enables you to study at a university) 
• Scan of your undergraduate university degree certificate (showing your final degree qualification) and university transcripts (showing the number of years you studied - minimum 3 years full time for non EU-applicants) 
• For non-native English speakers, proof of your English skills (certification must be fewer than three years old). If your undergraduate studies were completely taught in English, your English skills can be assessed during a possible application interview (in case your application gets selected) 
• Details of your work and dates of employment, proof of your work experience such as reference letters by current/former employer 
• Motivation letter (1–2 pages) that includes your study intentions and your professional intentions (career goal), as well as one paragraph describing your intended transfer project, on which you will work throughout the programme (check out our homepage for further information on the transfer project) 
• Scan of a passport photo

1. Till when can I apply for the M.A. programme?
   The application deadline is 29 May 2015.
2. What is the tuition fee for this Master programme?
   The course fee for the entire M.A. programme is EUR 16,850.00.
3. Do I need to pay the costs of my flight to South Africa as well as accommodation and living cost?
   No, all these costs are included in the tuition fee.
4. What are the estimated living costs in Berlin?
   The average living costs for students in Berlin are estimated to be EUR 800.00 per month.
5. How do I find and organize my accommodation in Berlin?
   GIZ will assist international students with finding accommodation in Berlin close to the university. GIZ will also advise and assist on contractual arrangements in this regard.
6. How do I find and organize my accommodation in South Africa?
   ATAF and GIZ will assist with finding an accommodation in South Africa.

7. Can I apply for financial support?
   

   A limited number of financial support opportunities are available for nominees of ATAF member countries for the 2015/2016 academic year. 
   Applicants from ATAF member countries are advised to contact their respective Tax Administrations (or Ministries reponsible) for nomination to the programme. Details in respect to funding, study leave and re-entry on completion of the programme will be available through respective employers.

8. What kind of financial support is available?
   Nominees from ATAF member countries will be entitled to a lower fee rate.
   Living-cost allowances are granted for the study phase in Germany (8 months).Monthly stipends are sufficient to cover health insurance, subsidies the cost of rent, and provide a living allowance. This amounts to approximately EUR 800.00 per month.   

9. How do I apply for financial support?
   Applicants from ATAF member countries are advised to contact their respective Tax Administrations (or Ministries reponsible) for nomination to the programme. Details in respect to funding, study leave and re-entry on completion of the programme will be available through respective employers.

10. What will I learn in the M.A. program and who should apply?
    The teaching encompasses concepts and theories in the subject areas of Public Finance, Tax Legislation and Applied Tax Policy, Tax Administration and Tax Law. The program addresses government officials both from revenue administrations and ministries of finance and other public institutions related to public finance.

11. Is the programme offered through distance learning or is it a residency programme?
    For this year the programme is not offered as distance learning course. The course starts with a 8 months course phase in Berlin and continues with a one-month study phase in Johannesburg. After this, students will return to their home countries to complete their master thesis and transfer project.

12. In which language will the EMT program be taught?
    For the time being, all modules and other courses will be taught in English. It is envisaged to offer the program in French in the near future.
    
    Please note: German language skills are not required to master the academic program. However, all enrolled students will be offered the opportunity to start learning the German language which will facilitate the study phase in Germany.

13. How to choose the topic of my Transfer Project?
    You are requested to identify a topic for your transfer project based on your own working experience. It should address a practical problem from your respective      workplaces that is linked to the broad content of the master’s programme. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and abilities in addressing and solving matters of tax policy, tax legislation and tax administration using a project-based approach.

14. What kind of support will I get working on my Transfer Project?
    You will work on the transfer project throughout the entire programme period. There will be an introductory class on the transfer project during the first semester. During the entire study period you will be supervised by BSEL academic staff and mentored by tax professionals from ATAF, GIZ or practitioners from your workplace.

15. Is there a link between the Transfer Project and the Master Thesis?
    Yes, students are expected to write a short dissertation on the transfer project, which may subsequently feed into the master’s thesis.

16. How will the results be presented?
    Students will have various opportunities (workshops, conferences, brown-bag lunches) to share and present the results of the transfer project to fellow students, supervisors and mentors.

17. How will outstanding Transfer Projects and Master thesis be awarded?
    ATAF will award prizes for outstanding transfer projects and master’s thesis and further recognize such projects and thesis through publication in various peer-reviewed working-paper series (e.g. the ATAF working-paper series, BSEL discussion-paper series)