Admission requirements

On this page, you will find important details of the application process (such as deadlines, admission requirements, required documents and application assessment) for the bachelor’s programme in Global Studies for the academic year 2025-2026.

For this programme we offer a UM Global Studies Scholarship.

Important deadlines for application for this study programme

The bachelor’s programme in Global Studies starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2025.

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Date	What you need to know about this date
1 October 2024	Studielink is open for applications for the academic year 2025-2026
1 April 2025, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for non-EU/EEA applicants (these applicants require a visa or residence permit)
1 May 2025, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland.

Please note: in Studielink you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2025 in the dropdown-menu, so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year. If you apply through the Entrance exam, Colloquium Doctum, earlier deadlines apply. See more information further down the page.

Are you a non-EU citizen requiring a visa/residence permit for study?

Please note that Maastricht University can only formally apply for your visa/residence permit if you have met all admission and enrolment requirements.

This means you have to have completed all admission and enrolment tasks in the MyApplication portal (except the ‘visa/residence permit’-task and the ‘send certified copy of diploma’-task) before we can send your application to the IND (Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service).

We have to send the application to the IND before 1 July if you are starting your studies in September. Please note: a few pre-master and master programmes offer a start in February. If you’re study programme offers a start in February and you want to start your studies in February, we have to send the application to the IND before 1 December. You can find out if your study programme offers a start in February on the admission requirements web page of that programme (pre-master’s, master’s).

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you reconsider applying for this study programme if you are not sure that you will meet the following requirements before 1 July/1 December (if applicable in your situation):

Having remedied all subject and/or language deficiencies (if applicable)
Having qualified for admission to your study programme, including being selected (if applicable to your study programme) AND
Having paid the tuition fee for your study programme

General requirements: previous education

Global Studies has a selective admissions process that is designed to assess whether there is a match between your academic interest and what Global Studies has to offer.

The admission requirements for academic year 2025/26 for the bachelor’s programme in Global Studies depend on your previous education. Check below which requirements apply to you.

For more information about the programme, contact us by email: globalstudies@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Applicants with a Dutch diploma

If you have one of the diplomas stated below then, in principle, you qualify for admission:

Dutch VWO diploma
HBO or OU propaedeutic diploma
HBO diploma

Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma

If you have a non-Dutch diploma that is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma you, in principle, qualify for admission to this programme. Check if this applies for your diploma.

List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2025/26

If your diploma is not included in this list, it must be evaluated by UM first.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements

Entrance exam, Colloquium Doctum

If you do not have the required diploma, or do not meet the additional requirements, you can still qualify by passing an entrance exam (the so called Colloquium Doctum).

If you pass the Colloquium Doctum and submit the requested proof of language proficiency, you will qualify for admission to the bachelor’s programme.

Additional requirements

Language requirements for English-language programmes

As English is the language of instruction in this study programme, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake intensive and challenging academic courses that are taught and examined in English.

Answer the questions below to find out if you meet the language requirements.

Applicants who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country (handling fee)

Applicants for this study programme who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country will have to pay a handling fee. More information on this handling fee and how to arrange this payment can be found on the Handling fee page.

Credit transfer

If you have followed education at a research university or a university of applied sciences before, you may qualify for exemptions. This means you can use the results you obtained elsewhere for your programme at Maastricht University.

In practice, requests for exemptions from regular courses and skills training courses are rarely approved. Only exemption from the 30 ECTS credits in the free fifth semester is possible.

A request for exemptions will only be taken into consideration after you have enrolled in the programme as a student.

For more information on credit transfer please contact the Board of Examiners of this programme: BoE-fasos@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Documents required for application process

During the application process for this study programme, you will need to complete a number of tasks for which you will often have to upload documents. The list below gives you an insight into what documents you will (and might) need to prepare.

Required documents for all applicants to this study programme

A recent portrait picture
This picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the task description 'Upload portrait picture' in the MyApplication portal.
A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this copy as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture.
A copy of your most recent grades transcript and a copy of your diploma if you have obtained it.
A letter of motivation in English of up to 600 words
This letter is used to get a better insight into your motivations and to help the Board of Admissions determine whether Global Studies is the right kind of career step for you.
All applicants should write a letter answering questions such as:
- Why would you like to join Global Studies?
- How suitable is the semester-theme approach for the way you like to study?
- What are your plans after graduation?
An Essay
All applicants should write a short essay in English of up to 400 words, describing a complex global problem and how it matters for them, their home community or home country locally.This essay will give the Board of Admissions a first impression of your ability to provide a well-reasoned, written argument. Please ensure that your essay addresses both parts of the question - describing the global problem and showing its local relevance! Using proper spelling and grammar (UK or US English), as well as referencing any quotes will be helpful to your application. You are free to choose what you consider your home community or your home country for the purpose of this essay.

How do we assess your application?

When you want to apply or are applying to this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this here.

The Board of Admissions will review and assess your application. After your full application has been received, the Board of Admissions will inform you on their decision within four weeks.

Please note that Global Studies is a selective programme.