Maastricht University
Universiteit Maastricht
A young, highly international Dutch university where every programme runs on small-group Problem-Based Learning.
- Students
- 22,933
- International
- 61%
- of students
- Tuition
- €13,400
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1976
About UM
Maastricht University was founded in 1976, originally to train more doctors for the Netherlands, and is one of the youngest Dutch universities. Its historic buildings are spread through the centre of Maastricht, with the medical and life sciences campus at Randwyck and smaller campuses in Venlo and Heerlen. In 2025 it had 22,933 students, 61% of them from outside the Netherlands, representing 128 nationalities.
The whole university is built around Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Instead of large lectures, students meet in small tutorial groups to analyse real cases and problems, research them independently and report back to the group. UM describes PBL as resting on four principles: constructive, contextual, collaborative and self-directed learning. It suits students who prepare, speak up and like to argue a point; it is hard going for those who prefer to listen passively.
UM has six faculties, from the School of Business and Economics to the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, and offers 26 bachelor's programmes, many of them taught fully in English. They include three Liberal Arts and Sciences honours colleges: University College Maastricht, the Maastricht Science Programme and University College Venlo. Several of the most popular programmes, including Psychology, International Business and European Law School, have a limited number of places, so deadlines fall as early as 15 January.
Why students choose UM
Problem-Based Learning in small tutorial groups runs through every programme, so you practise discussing, researching and presenting from the first week.
It is one of the most international Dutch universities: 61% of students came from abroad in 2025, from 128 countries.
University College Maastricht lets you design your own Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum in a community of students from more than 50 nations.
English-taught programmes in European Law School, European Studies, International Business and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence reflect Maastricht's position on the Dutch-Belgian-German border.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (applications via Studielink from 1 October 2026)
Selectivity
UM does not publish an overall admission rate. It sorts bachelor's programmes into three groups: free programmes (anyone with a VWO-equivalent diploma and the required subjects is admitted; some offer optional matching), selective programmes (Economics and Business Economics, Global Studies, the Maastricht Science Programme, University College Maastricht and University College Venlo), and numerus fixus programmes with a set number of places (Brain Science, European Law School, Geneeskunde, International Business and Psychology). Psychology has 300 places in the English programme and 300 in the Dutch programme for 2027-28; European Law School places are allocated by unweighted lottery.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma with the programme's required subjects, e.g. Mathematics A or B for International Business |
|---|---|
| International diplomas (IB, A-levels, others) | A diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, on UM's list of equivalent diplomas or assessed individually, plus subject requirements with equivalent depth, e.g. mathematics at VWO Mathematics A level for International Business |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Requirements are set per programme. For Psychology (2027-28): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, TOEFL iBT 80 (taken before 2026) or 4.5 (from 2026), PTE Academic 61, LanguageCert Academic 65, or Cambridge B2 First grade B or C, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. |
Deadlines
- Numerus fixus programmes (e.g. Psychology, European Law School, International Business) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027, 23:59 CET
Whole application must be complete for all applicants. For Psychology the selection procedure must be finished by 1 March 2027 and ranking numbers appear in Studielink on 15 April 2027. You may apply to at most two fixus programmes in the Netherlands.
- University College Maastricht: non-EU/EEA applicants Non-binding In ~4 months1 February 2027, 23:59 CET
Studielink application and all admission tasks; EU/EEA and Swiss applicants have until 1 April 2027.
- Economics and Business Economics Non-binding In ~5 months15 March 2027, 23:59 CET
Final deadline for all applicants. Submitting the International Classroom Essay by 15 January 2027 gets you an outcome on 15 April 2027.
- Free programmes (e.g. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence): non-EU/EEA applicants Non-binding In ~6 months1 April 2027, 23:59 CET
EU/EEA and Swiss applicants have until 1 May 2027.
Deadlines differ by programme and nationality and are listed on each programme's Admission requirements page; the dates above were published for September 2027 entry. Non-EU/EEA students needing a visa must complete admission, selection and tuition payment in time for UM to file with the IND before 1 July.
How to apply
Apply via Studielink, then upload the required documents in UM's MyApplication portal. Applicants with a diploma based on a non-EU/EEA curriculum pay a 100 euro handling fee, which must arrive by the programme's deadline and is refunded once you start. Fixus and selective programmes add their own steps, such as the International Classroom Essay, CV and statement of grades for International Business, or an online interview for University College Maastricht.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, with the subjects (often mathematics) that the programme requires.
- For fixus programmes, both a cognitive criterion such as grades or a test and at least one non-cognitive criterion such as motivation or activities outside school.
- For Psychology, study attitude, motivation and interests, and your score on a competency test.
- For University College Maastricht, clear academic plans and an understanding of how an open Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum will support them.
Tips for applying to UM
- 1 Check which of the three groups your programme is in: fixus programmes close on 15 January 2027, while free programmes stay open until 1 April (non-EU) or 1 May (EU).
- 2 For Economics and Business Economics, submit the International Classroom Essay by 15 January 2027 to get an early outcome on 15 April.
- 3 Start your housing search as soon as you apply: UM does not offer student accommodation and strongly advises against arriving without a room; Maastricht Housing is its main partner platform.
- 4 Get used to preparing for group discussion before you arrive: tutorials only work if every student has done the reading.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
EU/EEA students may qualify for Dutch student finance (DUO) and allowances. UM's scholarships are mostly for master's students; bachelor's options include the UCM/MSP waiver for EU/EEA students in the Liberal Arts and Sciences programmes, the Prof. Jo Ritzen Scholarship for Belgian, Luxembourg and French law students, and a First Generation Students Scholarship for Dutch students.
- 100 euros, refunded once you start at UM
- Handling fee (non-EU/EEA curriculum)
- 35 euros one-time fee
- Maastricht Housing registration
Academics
International Business (BSc)
A numerus fixus programme at the School of Business and Economics with selection based on an International Classroom Essay, CV and grades.
European Law School (LLB)
An English-taught law degree with a fixed number of places allocated by unweighted lottery; non-EU fee 13,400 euros (2027-28).
Psychology (BSc)
Taught in English or Dutch, with 300 places in each for 2027-28 and a joint online selection procedure.
University College Maastricht (BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences)
An honours college where you choose your own courses, with an online admissions interview and students from more than 50 nations.
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (BSc)
A free-admission programme in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, open to non-EU applicants until 1 April 2027.
European Studies (BA)
One of the English-taught Arts and Social Sciences programmes that makes use of Maastricht's location at the heart of Europe.
Research
- UM awarded 437 PhD degrees in 2025.
- Professor Mark Post of UM presented the world's first proof of concept for cultured meat in 2013.
- The university hosts UNU-MERIT, a research and training institute of the United Nations University.
- UM's research revenue included 146 million euros in contract revenue in 2025.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- School of Business and Economics
Student life
UM has no single campus: faculties occupy restored monasteries, townhouses and former barracks across Maastricht's old centre, plus the Randwyck health campus, so student life blends into the city. New students start with the INKOM introduction days. There are student associations, study associations, international associations and sports clubs, supported by a Student Initiative Helpdesk. UM SPORTS runs the University Sports Centre with a 1,000 square metre gym, sports halls, squash courts and a climbing wall. With most students from abroad, English is heard everywhere.
- INKOM introduction days for new students.
- University Sports Centre with a 1,000 square metre gym, climbing wall and squash courts.
- Student, study, sports and international associations, plus a Student Initiative Helpdesk for starting your own.
- Three Liberal Arts and Sciences colleges: UCM, the Maastricht Science Programme and University College Venlo.
Housing. UM does not offer student accommodation itself; it works with Maastricht Housing, Hospi Housing and housing corporations, and warns that rooms go quickly, especially in summer.
Location
Maastricht is a compact, historic city on the river Maas in the far south of the Netherlands, wedged between Belgium and Germany; Liège and Aachen are close by. Most faculties are in the walkable old centre, and students get around by bike. UM quotes average rent of 561 euros a month, but housing is tight, so start looking early.
Nearest airport: Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST)
Notable alumni
- VS Virginijus SinkevičiusFormer European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
- GZ Gombojavyn ZandanshatarFormer Prime Minister of Mongolia; MBA from Maastricht University
- HN Hanna NovosadFormer Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; master's degree from Maastricht
- JS Julia ShawPsychologist and author on memory; master's in Psychology and Law
- JZ Joakim ZanderSwedish thriller novelist; PhD in law
- AJ Asker JeukendrupSports nutrition scientist and Ironman triathlete
- GS Georgina SturgeStatistician and author; MSc in public policy and human development
Frequently asked questions
Is Maastricht University hard to get into?
It depends on the programme. Free programmes admit anyone with a VWO-equivalent diploma and the required subjects, while fixus programmes such as Psychology and International Business select from applicants for a fixed number of places, and European Law School uses a lottery.
What is Problem-Based Learning at Maastricht?
Instead of mainly lectures, you work in small tutorial groups on real problems and cases, research them yourself and discuss your findings. It is used across all UM programmes.
What are Maastricht University's tuition fees for international students?
In 2027-28, EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee of 2,771 euros (4,595 euros for UCM, MSP and Global Studies). Non-EU/EEA fees range from 13,400 euros for programmes such as International Business and Psychology to 32,000 euros for Medicine.
When is the application deadline for Maastricht University 2027?
15 January 2027 for fixus programmes such as Psychology and European Law School. For free programmes it is 1 April 2027 for non-EU/EEA applicants and 1 May 2027 for EU/EEA applicants; check your programme's page.
Does Maastricht University provide student housing?
No. UM does not offer student accommodation, but it partners with Maastricht Housing and Hospi Housing and strongly advises securing a room before you arrive.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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