Maastricht University admission for international applicants

To start a Maastricht University bachelor in September 2027 you apply in Studielink, then upload documents in the MyApplication portal; International Business, a fixus programme, closes on 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET, and the 2027-2028 fee is €2,771 statutory for EU/EEA students or from €13,400 institutional for non-EU/EEA students. The bar is a diploma that Maastricht University judges equivalent to the Dutch VWO, plus the subjects each programme names.

Historic brick university building in Maastricht seen across a garden

Maastricht University offers 27 bachelor's programmes, across 6 faculties. Many are taught in English: the International Business admission page, for example, lists the language as English. Five bachelors have a fixus (a cap on places with a ranking): Brain Science, European Law School, Geneeskunde, International Business and Psychology.

Five facts for applicants from abroad

Maastricht University's deadlines differ by programme and by nationality. Treat the dates above as the rows of the two programme pages they come from, and read the admission page of your own programme before you plan.

Rules that catch international applicants out

• Handling fee: applicants whose diploma is based on a non-EU/EEA curriculum pay € 100 (excl. bank costs) at the start of the application process, for all UM bachelor, master and pre-master programmes.
• Maths: for 2027-2028, International Business asks IB students for Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL/HL or Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL/HL and A-level students for Mathematics GCE A- or AS-Level.
• Fixus timing: for International Business every applicant applies via Studielink by 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET, months before the free programmes close.
• Medicine in English: the English-language track of the bachelor's programme in Medicine is discontinued as of the academic year 2026-2027.

Which academic year the pages describe

Maastricht University has published the 2027-2028 cycle. The VWO-equivalence page says it is for applicants planning to start in the academic year 2027-2028, the International Business admission page is written for academic year 2027-2028, and the tuition fee page gives fees for 2027-2028. The general admission requirements overview still says it covers the academic year 2026/2027, so where that page and a programme page differ, follow the programme page for 2027 entry.

Maastricht University describes itself as one of the best young universities globally, and the same rankings page urges users to approach such rankings with caution. Its teaching model, Problem-Based Learning in groups of 10 to 15 students, shapes the day-to-day experience more than any position in a table.

The rankings page of Maastricht University supports the position paper "Ranking the university" by Universities of the Netherlands. Treat any league-table position as a rough comparison between universities, not as a measure of your chances of admission, which depend on the rules of each programme.

Problem-Based Learning and an international classroom

Maastricht University's teaching model is Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The university says "we brought PBL to Europe" and that most of your education takes place in groups of 10 to 15 students. You prepare cases, discuss them in a tutorial group and report back,.

The student body is international. University College Maastricht, for example, invites you to connect with students from 50+ nations. Maastricht University's pages do not give a university-wide share of international students.

Maastricht University states places, not acceptance rates, application counts or admit counts, for its bachelors. For 2027-2028: Psychology admits 300 to the English programme and 300 to the Dutch programme, and Medicine has 359 training places, of which 309 go to the Dutch-language bachelor.

At a free programme such as Econometrics & Operations Research, Maastricht University's page says that if you submit all required documents before the deadline and meet the diploma and mathematics requirements, you will be admitted. At a fixus or selective programme, meeting the requirements only puts you into the selection or the lottery.

Places per programme

For Psychology, the page says that for 2027-2028 all available places will be allocated by means of selection. Its admission page also says that Psychology is a numerus fixus programme with selection by the educational institution. International Business is on Maastricht University's list of fixus programmes too: Brain Science, European Law School, Geneeskunde, International Business, Psychology. The International Business, European Law School and Brain Science pages do not state a number of places.

How the European Law School lottery works

European Law School uses a lottery, not a selection. Maastricht University's free, selective and fixus page (as of October 2026) says admission is determined by an unweighted lottery system, meaning everyone has an equal chance of being allocated a place. On its numerus fixus page, Maastricht University says that during both the 2025 and 2026 placement period, all applicants were ultimately offered a place, counted over the whole placement period. That is a statement about past rounds, not a promise for 2027.

When you get your ranking number

Maastricht University sorts its bachelors into three groups: free programmes admit you on (an equivalent of) a Dutch VWO diploma plus any additional requirements, five selective programmes choose on criteria such as your CV and a motivation letter, and five fixus programmes cap places and rank applicants. In the Netherlands you can submit two applications for fixus programmes, and you can attend only 1 fixus programme.

Free programmes

At a free Maastricht University bachelor, the page says you qualify for admission if you have (an equivalent of) a Dutch VWO diploma and meet any additional admission requirements. The additional requirements are usually subjects, such as mathematics, set per programme.

Selective programmes

Maastricht University's selective bachelors decide on criteria it gives as examples: previous education, your CV, a letter of motivation, a personal interview. The page says there is no limit to how many selective programmes you can apply to.

Fixus programmes

For each fixus programme, Maastricht University's overview page (as of October 2026) says you will need to submit additional documents, participate in tests or even come to Maastricht for a selection day.

European Law School is the exception among the fixus programmes: admission is by an unweighted lottery system, with no additional assignments or selection criteria, so everyone has an equal chance.

Fixus selection attempts can be limited. For Psychology, you may take part up to three times, one procedure per year; applying to the Dutch and English programme in the same year counts as one attempt.

Matching

Matching is a check of whether you and the programme fit, through an interview, an online questionnaire or another activity. On the general page, Maastricht University says some free bachelors offer it and that Matching is not obligatory. Programme pages word it differently, so read your own:

• European Law School: complete Matching no later than 1 June 2027.
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: you are not required to complete the Matching Procedure to be qualified for admission if you meet all other requirements.
• Health Sciences: you are not required to complete the Matching procedure to qualify for admission.
• European Studies and Arts and Culture: each page calls Matching part of your application procedure, in the form of a short questionnaire.

Matching is not the same as the first-year rule. At European Law School you must obtain a minimum of 40 out of 60 ECTS credits in the first year; a negative Binding Study Advice means exclusion from the programme for a period of six years.

Maastricht University's bachelor admission pages do not ask for the SAT or the ACT; tests appear only inside a programme's own selection, such as the Psychology online questionnaire and test, to be completed before 1 March 2027, 16:59 CET, and the Medicine selection in two rounds, with a ranking based on performances during the selection day. Other selective programmes ask for an essay, a motivation letter or an interview.

European Law School has no additional assignments or selection criteria: places go by lottery. Every other fixus or selective bachelor adds at least one task to your Studielink application, listed below for most programmes.

International Business and Psychology selection

International Business starts with the International Classroom Essay: it has to be assessed as sufficient in order to participate in the ranking procedure. Your ranking number then rests on a Certified statement of grades and your Curriculum vitae and supporting documents. Maastricht University does not publish weightings for these parts.

Psychology selection is an online questionnaire and online test (the page: "The selection procedure , which consists of an online questionnaire and online test, will be accessible in the MyApplication portal around 1 February 2027"), open in the MyApplication portal around 1 February 2027. Maastricht University assesses your motivation and interests, your study attitude, and your score on the (competency) test. Once you submit the test, it cannot be changed and you cannot retake it, so sit it in one calm session. The timeline on the same Psychology page prints the deadline as 1 March 2027 2026, 16:59 CET, with a stray year; the page text gives 1 March 2027, which fits the rest of the 2027-2028 timeline.

Letters, essays and interviews at the selective programmes

For Economics and Business Economics, the essay is the decision: You have to pass the Essay to be admitted to the programme, and if the International Classroom committee finds it sufficient, you will be admitted to the programme. The essay consists of six questions you need to answer, with a suggested length of 200 words and a maximum of 250 words per answer. The Global Studies essay asks how one of the central challenges of the programme is reflected in your local community.

Medicine (Geneeskunde) selection

Geneeskunde, the Dutch-taught Medicine bachelor, selects in two rounds, and the procedure is conducted entirely in Dutch. In round 1 you submit the portfolio, addendum to the portfolio and the homework assignment.

The Medicine ranking position is based on performances during the selection day, so that day decides your place in the ranking.

You apply to a Maastricht University bachelor in Studielink, which the International Business page says is open for applications for the academic year 2027-2028 from 1 October (it opened on 1 October 2026), and then upload your documents in the MyApplication portal. Deadlines run from 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET for the fixus programmes to 1 July 2027, 23:59 CET for EU/EEA applicants to University College Venlo, and many programmes close earlier for non-EU/EEA nationals.

Studielink, then the MyApplication portal

You apply in Studielink first. After you apply there, Maastricht University emails you how to log in to the MyApplication portal, where you upload the documents your programme requires; Maastricht University sums up the route as Studielink, then the MyApplication portal.

At a fixus programme, the document deadline can equal the application deadline. For Psychology, all documents must be uploaded in the MyApplication portal before 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET, so register in Studielink well before mid-January.

Application deadlines for September 2027

Most rows are the deadline to apply via Studielink; Biomedical Sciences, University College Venlo and European Law School give the deadline for completing the entire application process. University College Maastricht reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time up until the deadline; University College Venlo reviews all applications on a rolling basis.

After you apply: ranking and enrolment

If your offer depends on a missing subject or document, Maastricht University's admissions FAQ says all deficiencies need to be cleared 31 August at the latest.

The handling fee

As of October 2026, the handling fee page says applicants whose diploma is based on a non-EU/EEA curriculum pay a handling fee of € 100 (excl. bank costs) at the start of the application process. The fee is based on the curriculum, not the location of the institution, so a non-EU/EEA curriculum taught at a school inside the EU/EEA still pays it. Maastricht University must receive the payment at the latest on the application deadline, and your application will be rejected, if the handling fee is not paid. Once you start your studies at UM, the fee is refunded.

Maastricht University's handling fee page (as of October 2026) says applicants whose diploma is based on a non-EU/EEA curriculum need to pay a handling fee of € 100 (excl. bank costs). It counts as non-EU/EEA all countries except the following: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The page lists exemptions, among them previous education completed in one of the countries of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) or in Switzerland, bachelor applicants who hold a pre-university (VWO) diploma obtained in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten or Suriname, and applicants who have been granted refugee status in the Netherlands.

Earlier dates if you need a visa

Non-EU/EEA nationals face earlier deadlines at many free and selective programmes: at Econometrics & Operations Research 1 April 2027 instead of 1 May 2027, and at Biomedical Sciences 1 April 2027 instead of 1 May 2027. The fixus deadlines are the same for both groups. The International Business page adds that if you need a visa or residence permit, you must complete your visa file by 30 June 23:59 CET, because Maastricht University has to send the application to the IND before 1 July if you start in September.

For its English-taught bachelors, Maastricht University sets the English requirement through an interactive click model on each programme page, which tells you which documents prove your level; the admissions FAQ says you must meet the requirement no later than 31 August. The only fixed scores printed on the pages, IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80, belong to the Colloquium Doctum route for applicants without the necessary diploma.

Maastricht University says that because English is the language of instruction, your skills must be good enough for courses taught and examined in English (International Business page). Each programme page asks you to answer the questions concerning language requirements; the outcome tells you which documents you can use. The admissions FAQ describes this tool as a click model.

The regular route: scores and exemptions

For the regular route, the accepted tests, minimum scores, any component minimums and the exemptions (by nationality, English-taught diploma, IB, A-levels, European Baccalaureate or VWO English) sit inside the click model, not in the page text. Maastricht University's pages do not state that any programme sets a higher English minimum than another. Run the click model on your programme's admission page and save the outcome with your application.

Colloquium Doctum: the scores printed on the page

If you do not have the necessary diploma, Maastricht University may still admit you through the Colloquium Doctum, an entrance exam route for applicants who are 21 years of age or older at the start of the programme. For its English subject exams, you submit one of the following language-test certificates:

The TOEFL iBT row gives two minimums by test date: a score of 80 counts if obtained before 2026, and 4.5 if obtained from 2026. These minima apply to the Colloquium Doctum English subject exams only. Do not read them as the requirement for a regular applicant with a school-leaving diploma. The Dutch-language Geneeskunde page gives the same two certificates for its Colloquium Doctum: LanguageCert Academic: minimum score van 65 and TOEIC listening and reading: 865; speaking and writing: 335. The Colloquium Doctum also checks school subjects at VWO level: for Health Sciences English and mathematics A or mathematics B, for Medicine Dutch , English, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics A or B and Physics. University College Venlo names the same route; its admission page for 2027-2028 says you must be at least 21 years old at the moment the study programme starts.

When the English requirement must be met

Maastricht University's admissions FAQ (as of October 2026), in its bachelor section for the School of Business and Economics, says: "You need to meet the English requirement no later than 31 August." For September 2027 entry, book a test early enough that the result reaches you before your programme's own document deadline, which at the fixus programmes is in January 2027.

Maastricht University teaches Geneeskunde (Medicine), Health Sciences, Dutch Law (Rechtsgeleerdheid), Tax Law (Fiscaal Recht) and Fiscal Economics in Dutch, and Psychology has a Dutch track next to the English one. The English track of Medicine was discontinued as of the academic year 2026-2027, so an international student who wants Medicine at Maastricht must study it in Dutch.

Interior of the Maastricht University library with study desks under a steel roof

Each Dutch-taught Maastricht University programme says the same thing about language: because Dutch is the language of instruction, your Dutch must be good enough for courses taught and examined in Dutch. The page of the Dutch bachelor in Fiscal Economics puts it shortly: students must be proficient in the Dutch language.

Which bachelors are taught in Dutch

In Studielink, Psychology applicants choose between the Dutch programme, the English programme or both. The Psychology page says: "To study in Dutch, you must obtain a language certificate before the start of the academic year." For the Dutch-language Medicine bachelor, the page names the 'Staatsexamen Nt2 diploma' (at least level II) or an equivalent certification. The accepted Dutch certificates for other programmes are shown in the click model on each programme page.

Medicine: the English track has closed

Maastricht University's Medicine page says it is no longer possible to apply for the English track of the Bachelor of Medicine, as it is discontinued from 2026-2027; in the page's words, the English-language track is discontinued as of the academic year 2026-2027. International students can still enter the Dutch-language Medicine bachelor, provided they pass the selection process and the Dutch language requirements before the start of the programme. The selection has two rounds, and both the information and the documents you submit are in Dutch.

Law in Dutch after European Law School

The Faculty of Law admits holders of a Dutch VWO diploma or a Dutch HBO degree directly, with no additional requirements pertaining to your study profile or grades. European Law School students who want a Dutch professional qualification can switch by enrolling in the bachelor Rechtsgeleerdheid at the end of their second year.

For 2027-2028 entry, Maastricht University accepts an International Baccalaureate Diploma, at least 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects, 3 GCE A-levels* in academic subjects with grades A, B or C + 3 GCSE’s, or a United States High School Diploma with 4 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 3 issued by the College Board. Maastricht University assesses every non-Dutch diploma itself against the Dutch pre-university diploma (VWO), and the subject rules of your programme come on top.

Maastricht University says that with a non-Dutch diploma, it needs to assess whether the diploma is equivalent to the Dutch pre-university education (VWO diploma). The list on its VWO-equivalence page, written for applicants starting in the academic year 2027-2028, sets the minimum per credential. No IB point score and no SAT or ACT score is named on that page.

IB, A-levels and the US diploma

The A-level rule has three parts. A combination of 3 A-Levels in at least 3 different accepted subjects is required. The page lists the accepted subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Divinity, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Law, (Further) Mathematics, Marine Science, Modern Languages, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology; A-levels that are not listed are reviewed case by case. And AS-Levels can not be used to compensate for missing A-Level(s) with grade A, B or C.

The US route has its own rules. Besides the AP routes, Maastricht University accepts a US High School Diploma plus successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university, and the page adds: All mandatory credits of the first year need to be obtained before the start of the programme at Maastricht University. For international schools outside the USA, you upload an overview of your AP exams, and not accepted are: AP Capstone; AP Research; or AP Seminar (the list of AP exams says the same: not accepted are: AP Capstone; AP Research; or AP Seminar).

Abitur and French baccalauréat

The German Abitur and the French baccalauréat are listed by country: for Germany the Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur), for France the Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général and the Baccalauréat Français International (Baccalauréat Technologique reviewed case by case). French applicants upload a statement mentioning which subjects they are taking as Spécialité-subjects, both in their Première and Terminale year. The country chapter covers more national diplomas.

Diplomas not on the list

• Your request is only considered after a complete online application, including uploading all required documents in the MyApplication portal and paying the handling fee if this is required.
• Maastricht University does not accept equivalency statements and does not accept Foundation Programmes for admission to a bachelor’s programme.
• Applications will be assessed based on the curriculum as followed in the final two years of your secondary education, which must be predominantly academic: more academic than vocational subjects.
• Maastricht University says that Nuffic may be consulted in the evaluation of foreign diplomas, and that the final decision regarding admission always rests with Maastricht University.

For 2027-2028 entry, Maastricht University's subject page sets, per programme and per school system, the subjects you need on top of a VWO-equivalent diploma. International Business accepts IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL/HL or Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL/HL, while Data Science and Artificial Intelligence asks for Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL. Biomedical Sciences and Geneeskunde add biology, chemistry and physics.

Every Maastricht University bachelor starts from the same base: a secondary school diploma that is considered equivalent to the Dutch pre-university VWO diploma. The programme then names its own subjects for each school system. Find the row for your programme and the column for your credential.

Subjects by programme: IB, A-levels and US

European school systems have their own rows on the same 2027-2028 page: the German Abitur, the European Baccalaureate and the French baccalauréat.

Italian and Spanish diplomas are named by track and final-exam subject, so check both your school track and your exam subjects.

Belgian diplomas have two rows: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs ASO, whose row is printed in Dutch, and the Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur.

School of Business and Economics: the maths deficiency route

For the School of Business and Economics bachelors, a missing maths subject has its own route: you are required to follow an online preparatory math course and then take the online math exam (deficiency exam). The benchmark for a pass in the OMPT test is a 75% score, and the exam costs about €240. For a start in the academic year 2027-2028, the math preparatory courses are available from October 1st to August 31st. The School of Business and Economics page (as of October 2026) also says: All deficiencies need to be cleared 31 August at the latest.

Biology, chemistry and physics

Biomedical Sciences, Geneeskunde, Brain Science and Regenerative Medicine and Technology ask for science subjects next to mathematics in every row; Sustainable Bioscience and Circular Engineering ask for a different mix, so read each cell. The Dutch-language Medicine bachelor requires Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

How to make up a missing subject

Outside the School of Business and Economics, the programme page sets the route. For Biomedical Sciences, if your diploma does not (completely) satisfy the additional requirements, you take additional examination(s) to qualify. The Medicine chapter gives the deficiency deadlines for Geneeskunde.

Maastricht University's VWO-equivalence list for 2027-2028 names one or more school-leaving diplomas per country: Spain needs a Titulo de Bachiller with a minimum average grade of 7.0 in the final year + University Entrance Exam (PAU/EBAU/EVAU) with a passing grade (APTO), while Ukraine needs a certificate with a minimum average grade of 10 (out of 12) in the final year. Some countries need more than the diploma, such as a first university year for China.

Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium

French applicants upload a statement mentioning which subjects they are taking as Spécialité-subjects, both in their Première and Terminale year. For Italy, a Maturità from an Istituto Tecnico will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Maastricht University assesses you on the diploma you hold, and the subject rules of your programme come on top.

United Kingdom and United States

From the United Kingdom, Maastricht University asks for 3 GCE A-levels in academic subjects with grades A, B or C + 3 GCSEs. From the United States, it asks for a High School Diploma with 4 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 3 or 3 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 4. Scotland has its own route: the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with at least 4 subjects at higher grade and 2 subjects at advanced higher grade with grades A, B or C. The diploma chapter covers the A-level subject list and the AP exclusions.

Nordic, Central and Eastern European and Asian diplomas

• Denmark: Studentereksamenbevis, or a Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen obtained from 2017 with at least 2 extra exam subjects at level A.
• Sweden: Högskoleförberedande Examen in the Natural Science, Business Management and Economics or Humanities Programme. Norway: Vitnemål in a general, academic profile. Finland: the Ylioppilastutkintotodistus (Matriculation Examination Certificate).
• Czech Republic: maturita obtained at a Gymnázium. Hungary: Gimnáziumi Érettségi Bizonyítvány. Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat - Filiera Teoretică (theoretical track).
• Ukraine: the Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education with a minimum average grade of 10 (out of 12) in the final year.
• China: Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate + Gaokao + all year 1 credits of a bachelor's programme in university; for that first year, Only bachelor’s programmes from a Double First Class, Project 211 or Project 985 university are accepted.
• India: All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) with marks from A1 or A2 to B1 in 5 academic subjects.
• South Korea: High School Diploma from a Science High School or Special High School with at least result B/80% in the final year + College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) with a CSAT Stanine score of 1-3 in each subject. Japan: the Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho with an average grade of at least 4.0 in the final year.
• Turkey: Genel Lise plus all year 1 credits of a university bachelor (Genel Lise + all year 1 credits of a bachelor's programme), or a Lise Diplomasi* from a Fen Lisesi with a minimum average grade of 80% in the final year.
• Portugal: a secondary diploma with a minimum average grade of 15. In addition, Exames Nacionais do Ensino Secundário (ENES) with scores of at least 120 over 4 different subjects is required.
• Greece: Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou with a minimum class grade point average of 15 in the final year.
• Ireland: Leaving Certificate Established (LCE) in 6 subjects of which at least 3 subjects at Higher Level. The Higher Level subjects must have a result between H1 and H5.
• Israel: Te'udat Bagrut with at least three general, academic subjects at unit level 4 or 5.
• Russia: Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii with a minimum average grade of 4.50 in the final year.
• Australia: in New South Wales the Higher School Certificate + ATAR >86; in the Australian Capital Territory the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate + ATAR >86; in Victoria the Victorian Certificate of Education + ATAR >86.
• Canada (British Columbia): Certificate of Graduation with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic grade 12 courses.
• India (CISCE): the Indian School Certificate with an average of 75% in 5 academic subjects.
• Brazil: Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Médio with an average grade > 8.0 in the final year & ENEM with an average result of >600.
• Mexico: Certificado de Bachillerato with a minimum average grade of 8.0 or 80 in the final year.
• Chile: Licencia de Educación Media or Licencia de Enseñanza Media (humanístico- científica) with an average grade of 6 in the final year + Prueba de Acceso a la Educación Superior (PAES).

If your country or school type is not on Maastricht University's list, your diploma is assessed individually after you submit a complete application. Subject rules, such as mathematics for business programmes, apply on top of the diploma for every country.

Maastricht University offers 27 bachelor's programmes, across 6 faculties, and most of the programme pages in this chapter list English as the language, from International Business and European Law School to the three liberal arts colleges. Each one admits you in principle on a diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, then adds its own rule: subjects, an essay, a selection or a lottery.

The admission pages of Econometrics & Operations Research and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence use the same sentence: you qualify in principle with a non-Dutch diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma (Econometrics & Operations Research) and you qualify in principle with a non-Dutch diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence). "In principle" is the key phrase. The programme's own condition decides whether you get a place.

The main English-taught bachelors and what each adds

International Business is on Maastricht University's fixus list (Brain Science, European Law School, Geneeskunde, International Business, Psychology), and Economics and Business Economics is on its selective list, where you have to pass the Essay to be admitted to the programme. Econometrics & Operations Research is a free programme: if you submit all required documents before the deadline and meet the diploma and mathematics requirement, you will be admitted. The tests chapter and the maths chapter give the detail of each rule.

Two programmes in the table are not English-taught. Health Sciences lists its language as Dutch, and so does Medicine. Psychology runs a Dutch and an English track side by side, with separate places.

University College Maastricht, University College Venlo and the Maastricht Science Programme

Maastricht University runs three liberal arts and sciences bachelors, all selective. University College Maastricht calls itself a Liberal Arts and Sciences Honours College with students from 50+ nations, and it has 250 places each year. University College Venlo is the Liberal Arts & Sciences (UCV) college in Venlo. The Maastricht Science Programme is a Liberal Arts & Sciences university college where you choose courses in biology, chemistry, physics and more.

University College Maastricht asks for a motivation letter in English and, if you are selected, an online interview in English of about 30-45 minutes. At University College Venlo, the interview is held by one or two UCV staff members and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. The three share one first-year rule: a negative Binding Study Advice leads to exclusion from all the Maastricht School of Liberal Arts and Sciences programmes (UCV, MSP, UCM) for a period of six years.

How Problem-Based Learning shapes teaching

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is Maastricht University's teaching method. You work in small groups to solve real-world problems; instead of only listening to lectures, you discuss, research and present your findings. Most of your education takes place in groups of 10 to 15 students, and Maastricht University says it brought PBL to Europe. If you prefer to learn by reading alone and sitting exams, weigh this before you apply.

You can no longer study Medicine in English at Maastricht University: the English-language track was discontinued as of the academic year 2026-2027, and the Dutch-taught Geneeskunde has 309 places for 2027-2028. Biomedical Sciences is the English-taught option, and asks for mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.

Geneeskunde: Medicine in Dutch

International students can still enter the Dutch-language Medicine bachelor at Maastricht University if they pass the selection process and Dutch language requirements before the start of the programme. The programme page lists its language as Dutch, and the selection has two rounds, held entirely in Dutch, for both the information and your documents. In 2027-2028 the programme has 359 students in training places, of which 309 places go to the bachelor.

Your previous education must include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at a depth equivalent to the Dutch VWO subjects. If a subject is missing, the Medicine page asks for a deficiency elimination schedule and then proof:

The Medicine page gives two years for the definitive schedule. One row in the timeline says Before 19 March 2026, 16:00 CET, while the text below it says the entire definitive schedule must be submitted before 19 March 2027, 16:00 CET. For 2027 entry, the 2027 date is the one consistent with the rest of the 2027-2028 timeline; confirm it with Maastricht University if you rely on it.

Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences lists its language as English and is a free programme. Your previous education must include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology; for Dutch VWO students that means Mathematics A or B, Physics, Chemistry and Biology on VWO level. IB students need Biology HL, Physics SL, Chemistry SL, Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL/HL, or Mathematics Applications and Interpretation HL. If you miss part of this, you take additional examination(s) to qualify.

Health Sciences

Health Sciences (Gezondheidswetenschappen) is a free bachelor, and its page says the programme is taught in Dutch. With a VWO-equivalent diploma you qualify - in principle - for admission; the page names no extra subject rule for the regular route. Plan for the Dutch language requirement, which the programme page sets through its language click model.

Maastricht University's career support for bachelor students runs through UM Career Services, which offers everything from online resources and workshops to personal coaching, and through the Personal & Professional Development Portal, which lists vacancies for (side)jobs, internships, traineeships and voluntary work.

What UM Career Services offers

Start with the portal and the Canvas modules in your first year, and book a CV check before you apply for internships. Maastricht University's InterUM jobs give you work experience inside the university while you study.

Routes after the bachelor

Maastricht University's pages name few fixed routes from a bachelor to a master. Two are explicit. European Law School students who want a Dutch legal qualification can switch by enrolling in the bachelor Rechtsgeleerdheid at the end of their second year. In Medicine, 50 of the 2027-2028 training places are reserved for the Physician-Clinical Investigator Master's programme, taught in Dutch. For other bachelors, check the admission page of the master you have in mind.

For the academic year 2027-2028, a Maastricht University bachelor costs EU/EEA students the statutory fee of €2,771, or €4,595 at University College Maastricht, the Maastricht Science Programme and Global Studies. Non-EU/EEA students pay an institutional fee of €13,400, €18,700 or €32,000 for a low, high or top bachelor, and €20,471 at University College Maastricht and the Maastricht Science Programme.

Maastricht University has three levels of institutional tuition fees (low, high and top), because the Dutch government divides programmes into three cost types. Tuition fee rates are determined per academic year, so the 2027-2028 figures below apply to that year only.

Fees per programme, 2027-2028

The higher rates at University College Maastricht, the Maastricht Science Programme and Global Studies come from a surcharge: for these three, the tuition fee rate for EU/EEA students (statutory) has been increased, and the institutional fee at University College Maastricht and the Maastricht Science Programme is €20,471. Students who started the Maastricht Science Programme in or before 2019-2020 remain exempt from the increase and pay €2,694 when re-enrolling for 2027-2028.

Who pays the statutory and who the institutional fee

Dutch universities receive a government subsidy for students who are from EU/EEA countries (or Switzerland or Suriname) for one bachelor’s programme as long as they have not obtained a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch higher education institution. A non-EU/EEA national can sometimes pay the statutory rate: that depends on your residence status in an EU/EEA country.

Monthly living costs

For living costs, Maastricht University shows monthly figures in euro from the 2024 Nibud national student survey, a national average for students in the Netherlands, not a Maastricht budget.

These are national averages from the 2024 Nibud national student survey, not Maastricht prices. Add your rent, your food and the tuition fee on top when you build your budget.

For bachelor applicants, Maastricht University lists two scholarship routes: the UM NL Global Studies Scholarship gives one full coverage scholarship (including a tuition fee waiver and monthly stipend) per academic year to a non-EU/EEA student, and EU/EEA students at University College Maastricht or the Maastricht Science Programme can get a tuition fee waiver for up to 36 months. You may apply for only one UM scholarship.

Maastricht University assesses scholarship applicants on academic excellence, extracurricular engagement, active citizenship and financial need. You apply for a UM programme first, then for the scholarship; multiple scholarship applications are disqualified.

Bachelor scholarships

For the Global Studies scholarship, the admission application deadline of 10 December 2026 comes before the scholarship closes, so finish your Studielink and MyApplication steps first. The UCM/MSP waiver covers the difference between the UCM/MSP tuition fee and the national tuition fee set by the Dutch government.

Dutch student finance (DUO) for EU students

As a non-Dutch student, you may qualify for some parts of Dutch student finance if you, your partner or parent are a national of an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, or if you hold a Dutch residence permit type I, II, III, IV or V. Such students are not eligible for a basic grant; they can opt for a supplementary grant or a loan with a repayment period of up to 35 years. For every component, you must be younger than 30 years of age on the day your student finance begins.

Loans and aid from your home country

Maastricht University also points you to country-based financial aid. For North America it lists U.S. Direct Loans; Sallie Mae student loans; for Europe, Student Loans Company (United Kingdom); Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (Germany). Each scheme has its own rules, set by the lender in your home country.

Maastricht University does not guarantee housing: it says it cannot help you because we don’t offer student accommodation and strongly advises against arriving without a room. The closest thing to a university option is the UM Guesthouse, with around 900 rooms and studios that you can book before you arrive.

Maastricht University tells new students to start the search as early as possible, because the city has a high demand for student rooms and rooms fill up quickly especially in the summer. For a September 2027 start, begin the search well before the summer of 2027.

Your housing options

The UM Guesthouse

The UM Guesthouse suits Bachelor’s and master’s students who prefer to arrange temporary accommodation in advance, as well as exchange students and summer school participants. Rooms can be reserved well in advance, so you can secure a place before you travel. The rent covers gas, water, electricity and internet; the page does not state the rent itself. Because the stay ends after a year at most, treat the Guesthouse as a first-year bridge while you look for a longer-term room.

The housing market and scams

Maastricht Housing is where Maastricht University points you first: as of October 2026, you register for €35 and search its listings.

New international students at Maastricht University can start with the International Student Welcome Day. Its page (as of October 2026) says registrations open in June 2027 and the registration fee is €17, and that the day is separate from the INKOM introduction and the ISAP programme. After that, student life runs through social, study, sports and cultural associations.

Maastricht University notes that the Welcome Day is separate from the INKOM introduction activities as well as the ISAP Programme, so you can join all three.

Your first weeks

Student organisations and sports

Maastricht has social organisations, and also a large number of study and sports organisations and clubs for arts and culture. International associations build bridges between Dutch and foreign students. A student sports association brings together members who practise the same sport, covering team sports and individual sports.

Working while you study

Maastricht University points you to the PPD Portal for vacancies and to InterUM, which hires student employees, research assistants, invigilators. Plan side jobs around your timetable, since Problem-Based Learning asks you to research and present in your tutorial group.

If you are a non-EU/EEA student, Maastricht University applies for your Dutch residence permit, and your entry visa (MVV) where you need one, as a recognised IND sponsor; its Visa Office service is free, but the visa page, as of October 2026, says you pay the legal fee of € 254,00 and must show funds of at least € 1,250 per month. EU/EEA and Swiss passport holders do not need a visa or a residence permit.

Under Dutch law, students are not permitted to apply for a study residence permit on their own. Maastricht University says that we review and submit all residence permit applications on behalf of our students, so you send your documents to the UM Visa Office, not to the IND.

Visa and permit, or permit only

If you are a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States or Vatican City and study for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit, but you do not need to apply for a visa. The legal fee of € 254,00 stays the same if you also have to apply for a visa.

Two money rules apply to the permit. You must show funds of at least € 1,250 per month for rent, food and insurance, and you must pay the full tuition fees, or study fees, in one lump sum before the deadline.

The visa timeline for September 2027

EU/EEA students: register with the municipality

EU/EEA and Swiss students need no immigration process. As soon as you have an address in the Netherlands, you must register as a resident in the respective municipality.

The study progress rule for permit holders

To keep a Dutch study residence permit, you must obtain at least 50% of the possible ECTS education credits per year. Every programme is set at 60 ECTS a year, so as a full-time student you need at least 30 ECTS credits each academic year. If you fall short, Maastricht University is legally required to notify the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

Maastricht University suits you if you want an English-taught bachelor taught through Problem-Based Learning in groups of 10 to 15 students and can plan early, since International Business closes on 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET. It suits you less if you need guaranteed housing, because we don’t offer student accommodation, in the university's words, or a low fee as a non-EU/EEA student, who pays from €13,400 in 2027-2028.

The real choice at Maastricht University is the route. A free programme admits you on a VWO-equivalent diploma and its subjects; a selective programme adds an essay, a letter or an interview; a fixus programme ranks you, or in the case of European Law School draws lots. Pick the programme first, then read its admission page for 2027-2028.

The main English-taught programmes compared

The selective programmes are Economics and Business Economics, Global Studies, Maastricht Science Programme, University College Maastricht, University College Venlo. The fixus programmes are Brain Science, European Law School, Geneeskunde, International Business, Psychology. EU/EEA nationals often get a later deadline at the free and selective programmes; check your own row.

Next steps for September 2027

Before the first deadline, run the English click model on your programme page, check your diploma against the VWO list and the subject table, pay the handling fee if your curriculum is non-EU/EEA, and start the housing search early in 2027.

Official pages of Maastricht University, UCAS, gov.uk and the ranking publishers. Applicant reports, where shown, are self-reported and labelled.

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Photos: Maastricht University building with the university flags in front, beside a lawn: photo Kleon3, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Historic brick university building in Maastricht seen across a garden: photo Kleon3, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Interior of the Maastricht University library with study desks under a steel roof: photo Vma.janssen, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons