Admission requirements

If you possess one of the diplomas stated below then, in principle, you qualify for admission.

• A new-style VWO diploma with the profile Natuur en Gezondheid (Science and Health) with profile subject Physics
• A new-style VWO diploma with the profile Natuur en Techniek (Science and Engineering) with profile subject Biology
• An OU (Open University) propaedeutic diploma, HBO propaedeutic diploma, HBO degree diploma, university propaedeutic diploma or university degree diploma. Sufficient knowledge at VWO level of the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics is required.

An old-style VWO diploma no longer gives the right to admission.

If you have a non-Dutch diploma that is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma (Dutch secondary education), in principle you qualify for admission to this programme. Check the list of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma to see if this applies to your diploma.

List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2025-2026

If your diploma is not included in this list, Maastricht University (UM) will first determine whether you qualify for admission. 

Please note: this step will take extra time so it is important to apply early, preferably before 1 November 2024.

Please be aware that if you register after 1 November 2024, you are taking the risk that UM can’t assess on time whether you meet the admission requirements and/or you will not be able to complete eliminating one (or more) of your deficiencies on time. As a result, you may not be able to start the programme in the academic year 2025-2026

To qualify for admission to the bachelor’s programme in Medicine, you need to have the following subjects in your previous education with a duration and depth equivalent to the Dutch VWO: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The following diplomas satisfy those requirements:

• German ‘Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife’: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry: as ‘Grundkurs’ up to and including the final year. Biology as ‘Leistungsfach’
• Belgian Diploma of Secondary Education of one of the following tracks:
  - Greek-Sciences
  - Latin-Sciences
  - Modern Languages-Sciences
  - Sciences-Mathematics
• Diploma International Baccalaureate with
  - Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL or SL, or Mathematics Applications and Interpretations HL, or Mathematics SL or HL (exam before 2021).
  - Physics SL or HL
  - Chemistry SL or HL
  - Biology HL
• Diploma European Baccalaureate with
  - Mathematics: written or oral exams, at least 3 hours/week in the last 2 years;
  - Physics: written or oral exams
  - Chemistry: written or oral exams;
  - Biology: written or oral exams, at least 4 hours/week in the last 2 years.
• British A/AS levels, (I) GCSEs and/or AICE:
  - Mathematics: GCE A or AS level
  - Physics: GCE A or AS level
  - Chemistry: GCE A level
  - Biology: GCE A level
• US High School Diploma:
  - Mathematics: AP exam Statistics or Calculus
  - Physics: AP exam Physics 1+2 or AP exam Physics 1 + C: Mechanics or AP exam Physics 2 + C: Mechanics
  - Chemistry: AP exam Chemistry
  - Biology: AP exam Biology

• Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général:
  - Mathematics: Spécialité Mathématique (Première) + Mathématique Complémentaires (Terminale) or Spécialité Mathématique (Première and Terminale) or Spécialité Mathématique (Première and Terminale) + Mathématiques Expertes
  - Physics: Spécialité Physique-Chimie (Première and Terminale)
  - Chemistry: Spécialité Physique-Chimie (Première and Terminale)
  - Biology: Spécialité Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (Première and Terminale)

Additional subject requirement pertaining to non-Dutch entry qualifications 2025-2026

If your diploma or degree differs from those listed above, the UM will assess whether you can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the four compulsory subjects (Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology) and therefore qualify for an exemption (sufficiëntieverklaring) for these subjects on an individual basis. This assessment is based on the attainment aims for final examination in Dutch secondary education (VWO) in the relevant subject and the national agreements made within the Central Commissions Pre-examination (in Dutch: CCVX). The assessment takes extra time, so be sure to register for it at the earliest possible date, preferably before 1 November 2024.

Bear in mind that if you register after 1 November 2024, you are at risk that UM can’t asses on time whether you meet the admission requirements and/or you will not be able to complete the definitive schedule for eliminating one (or more) of your deficiencies on time. As a result, you may not be able to begin the programme in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Note! Sitting an examination in a certain subject does not mean that you automatically satisfy the previous and/or additional education requirements. There are strict requirements concerning number of study hours, content, difficulty of the material dealt with, and examinations completed.
 

If you already have or will be awarded a Dutch secondary education (VWO) or equivalent diploma but do not satisfy the additional requirements for the subjects Biology, Physics, Chemistry and/or Mathematics, you must sit an additional examination. If you must sit an additional examination in Mathematics you can choose Mathematics A or B. These additional examinations are organised by CCVX  (Central Commissions Pre-examination, in Dutch: Centrale Commissies Voortentamens) and/or Boswell/Bèta.  You can sit the examinations in either English or Dutch.

Note! If you wish to begin your programme in the 2025-2026 academic year, you must have submitted a certificate for all compulsory subjects by 15 January 2025, 16:00 CET OR include a complete and detailed plan stating how you will obtain the relevant certificate/certificates on time in your portfolio (deadline 22 January 2025, 16:00 CET) as well as in the definitive schedule for satisfying the (additional) statutory admission requirements (deadline 21 March 2025, 16:00 CET).

Secondary school students who will receive mid-2025 their first Dutch secondary education (VWO) or one of the explicitly above mentioned equivalent diplomas with required examination courses, are not considered deficient. In case of a diploma that will be assessed on individual basis by the UM, one or more subject deficiencies may exist. Please have your diploma and subject combination/profile checked in time. 

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: