Maastricht University

1. Maastricht Univerisity Background Information

Maastricht University (UM) is located in the city of Maastricht, to the deep south of the Netherlands, close to the Belgian border. Officially opened in January, 1976, Maastricht University has had a history that has greatly decided its current fate. Being founded mostly out of need, both educational and economic, UM has grown at a rapid pace since it’s founding. It prides itself on being an internationally-oriented university.

There are around 14,500 students at UM currently, choosing from a variety of different programmes offered in six different faculties.

Using a problem-based learning approach, the UM is “leading in learning”. Students and staff exchange knowledge in a “challenging and effective way”. Focusing on multidisciplinary research approaches, UM is in close contact with international institutes, businesses and industry.

UM prides itself on being international as approximately 45% of its students and 30% of the teaching staff come from abroad. It is also very tied to the region and country with many initiatives being local.

For further information, see UM’s About UM page and their Mission and Strategy page.

2. Maastricht University Application Process

Exchange Students

Requirements for exchange programmes vary based on the faculty you’re interested in. Admission procedures and requirements vary depending on  your faculty, so make sure to check out your faculty’s page as well!

Bachelor's Students

There is a wide variety of Bachelor’s programmes offered by UM. Information, including the language they’re taught in, is available online, as are admission details. You must register through Studielink, and ensure that you have the necessary documents. Also make sure to check your specific programme’s page in order to see if any extra documents may be required.

Master's Students

A list of Master's programmes and some admission details are also found online. You must register through Studielink, and ensure that you have the necessary documents. Also make sure to check your specific programme’s page in order to see if any extra documents may be required.

General documents needed are as follows:

• Passport photo (see this page for requirements)
• Copy of your passport and/or residence permit
• Certified copy of your diploma or declaration of graduation
• Proof of registration with your municipal council:
  • If you live in the Netherlands, you will need to submit proof of your registration in the Municipal Personal Records Database (GBA-registratie), unless you have received an email stating that Studielink has checked your GBA registration and found it satisfactory.
  • If you live within the residence area but outside the Netherlands, you will need to submit proof of your registration with your local municipal council to the desk of the Student Services Centre.
• If you intend to pay your tuition fee in instalments: the signed direct debit authorisation. N.B: You may only pay in instalments if you have a Dutch bank account. If you have questions about this, please contact our call centre.
• If you are enrolling in a numerus fixus programme: your proof of placement (plaatsingsbewijs)
• If you are already paying tuition fees to a different institution: your proof of tuition fee payment (Bewijs Betaling Collegegeld)

You are only officially enrolled once you have submitted all the required documents and we have received your payment or signed direct debit authorisation. You will then receive your certificate of enrolment and UM student ID card.

PhD Students

PhD students are generally considered as staff in the Netherlands, and therefore have no formal admission process.

3. Maastricht University Tuition Fees

Information about tuition fees for Bachelor’s programmes and Master’s programmes are available online.

4. Maastricht University Deadlines

Exchange Students

Application
Semester                                               Deadline
Spring 2011-2012                            15 October 2011
Fall 2012-2013                                 15 May 2012

Course registration 
Period                      Start registration                 End registration
Period 1                   01 June 2011                      15 July 2011
Period 2                   01 June 2011                      18 September 2011
Period 3                   01 June 2011                      13 November 2011
Period 4                   31 October 2011                 27 November 2011
Period 5                   31 October 2011                 19 February 2012
Period 6                   31 October 2011                 22 April 2012

Resit registration  
Resit                                                 Start registration                    End registration
resits exams period 1                   21 November 2011               27 November 2011
resits exams period 2 & 3            05 March 2012                       11 March 2011
resits exams period 4                   07 May 2012                           13 May 2012
resits exams period 5                   02 July 2012                           05 July 2012

Bachelor's Students

Registration deadlines

• Students with an EU diploma that is comparable to a Dutch VWO diploma (pdf, 16 Kb) (please also check the additional requirements (pdf, 50 Kb) that may apply to your diploma), are required to register before 1 August 2012.
Non-EU students who need a visa to study in Maastricht or students whose diploma is not included on the list of VWO-comparable diplomas (pdf, 16 Kb) should start the registration procedure before 1 April 2012 (or as soon as possible thereafter) in order to meet the deadline. This is because the visa application and diploma evaluation can take several months.

Different deadlines apply for numerus fixus programmes. The following Maastricht University programmes have a numerus fixus:

• International Business
• Economics and Business Economics
• Medicine
• Psychology

Master's Students

Deadlines for Master’s students vary on the programme. Please check the Master's Programmes list and select your programme in order to find out your application deadlines.

5. Maastricht University Contact Information

A list of all contact offices at Maastricht University is available online.

The Student Services Centre provides (prospective) students with the information and aid they might need in resolving all the different processes and procedures necessary in order to become a student in the Netherlands. This is a useful source if you need help sorting out visa and residence permit issues, scholarships, application procedures, registration at the city hall, and any other problems or questions you may encounter. Feel free to contact this office with any issues you may face or questions that you have.