Cape Town, South Africa
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Sep 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
ZAR 178,640 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for Rest of the World| SADC Fees: From ZAR 114,940| Non-SADC African Students Fees: From ZAR 162,540
Key Summary
Introduction
The programme objective is for students to acquire knowledge about the analysis and interpretation of double tax conventions using recognized model conventions as a base and their interaction with South African income tax, as well as problem solving skills based on practical examples of application of these frameworks.
Students who are working in an international tax environment while pursuing this programme, would derive the most benefit therefrom.
This is a part-time coursework and minor dissertation programme.
About the programme
The University of Cape Town presents Africa’s first and only interdisciplinary programme fully dedicated to the study of international taxation. The programme is co-presented and taught by UCT’s Faculties of Commerce and Law in cooperation with the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD).
The International Taxation Masters programme leverages UCT’s uncontested geographical advantage as a gateway for global engagement in fiscal matters between the developed and developing worlds.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1:
- Coursework (FTX5034F and FTX5033S) + a methodology course (FTX4036S).
Year 2:
- Minor dissertation (FTX5032W).
Prescribed curriculum
Year 1:
- FTX5034F International Tax
- FTX5033S International Tax II
- FTX4036S Research Methods in Taxation
Year 2:
- FTX5032W Taxation Minor Dissertation
Assessment:
FTX5034F and FTX5033S: A student must achieve at least 50% weighted across all assessments.
Oral assessments may be substituted at the discretion of the convener for any of the written
assessments. A sub-minimum of 50% must be achieved for the minor dissertation (FTX5032W) on
an international taxation topic and the overall weighted average programme result must be equal to
or exceed 50%.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the UCT International Taxation Masters are sought after and have excellent career prospects, both in South Africa and elsewhere. The principled knowledge, analytical skill and way of thinking gained from the programme is highly flexible in its application in a variety of professional career settings, including in advisory, law, accountancy, fiscal regulation, academia, and in-house expertise.
Past graduates from the UCT International Taxation Masters occupy positions such as International Tax Advisor, Consultant, Manager, Lawyer, Tax Director, Director, Group Tax Manager and Senior Lecturer within international accounting firms, boutique specialist international tax practices, leading local and international law firms, multinational corporates, universities, and government agencies including revenue authorities and Ministries of Finance.