Why this programme?

Medicine

With the Bachelor of Medicine you can become a doctor who can treat health problems in a multidisciplinary and multidimensional way and support patients, even if their health problem is incurable. You understand that this is an interesting and challenging profession that requires your full commitment. You realise that healthcare is changing, there is increasing socio-cultural diversity, along with ageing of the population, and that there is a need for integral care, prevention and health promotion. You also understand that knowledge, attitude and skills to think scientifically and critically are important and that medical science is constantly advancing. You want to be a discussion partner for patients and their loved ones and for other professionals. Those aspects of being a doctor are exactly what you are looking for.

Practice-oriented

Studying Bachelor in Medicine in Maastricht, will teach you to be independent, to self-regulate your learning, but to also help your fellow students, to give and use feedback, and you will be guided in your personal and professional development. In the authentic professional tasks, knowledge, skills and attitude are integrated. There is supporting teaching and educational material (books, journals, practical trainings etc).

Your competence development begins during the bachelor programme, usually in a simulated and low-complexity setting. In the Skillslab you will work on clinical skills, such as measuring blood pressure, giving injections, and the physical examination of all major systems. You will practice this on medical models or mannequins, and on your fellow students. As part of the 3 year curriculum you will participate in student clinics, where you participate in health (care) related practice situations, but not in the traditional role as medical doctors, for a longer period of time.

Medicine bachelor's student Dara posts weekly about her experiences on Instagram. She's also happy to answer your questions about the programme and about (student) life in Maastricht.

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Curriculum content

In the curriculum you will learn at the Bachelors’ level, the entire continuum of prevention, diagnostics, prognostics, joint decision-making and monitoring and treatment for the individual patient, patient groups and the population. Seven competencies are required to do all of this well. The descriptions of the competencies are based on the Dutch Medical Training Framework 2020: A doctor should not only be a medical expert, a doctor also has to be a communicator, a collaborator, a leader, a health advocate who acts in society’s interests, a scholar who thinks in scientific and moral-ethical terms, and a professional who shares knowledge, attitude and skills with others, and can self-care. The competencies are entwined and embedded in the teaching and learning programme of the Bachelor in Medicine. This will be done using small group learning with peers and teachers, in the Skillslab, in practical trainings, as part of relevant health care settings, in the educational outpatient clinics and the student clinics.

Competency development

You will be guided in your personal and professional competency development by the learning team coach. The portfolio is used as a central teaching, guidance and assessment instrument. You will have a coach and mentor throughout the bachelor’s and the master's programme. This guidance and the portfolio will enable a good overview of your competency development, and will allow you to adjust the course of your studies if necessary.

Working in a community with peers and teachers = big advantage

Studying Medicine in Maastricht can be different as compared to your other experiences in secondary or higher education. At Maastricht University, there is a focus on collaborative and self-regulation of learning. Knowledge, skills and attitude are always taught integrally using authentic tasks as the starting point for learning. So you need to be active, curious and motivated to work on your competencies. The small scale of the classes ensures attentive interaction with your fellow students and teachers. From day one you will be working on authentic professional tasks in small learning teams together with your fellow students and supported by a learning team coach. Your education at Maastricht University will prepare you for your future profession and guide you in your personal development.

Excellence programmes:

Honours programme

The faculty offers an Honours Programme for its most motivated and talented students. This prestigious programme allows chosen students to follow an in-depth track in their field of study. In the Honours Programme, you are actively involved in research projects surrounding current issues in the health sector and other life sciences. You also deal with historical and philosophical issues in the field of medicine. The programme is faculty-wide, which means you'll be working together with students from other programmes.

The programme starts during the bachelor’s second year and lasts for 18 months. It requires an overall investment of about 420 hours. Once you have successfully completed the Honours Programme, you’ll receive an Honours Certificate, in addition to your diploma.

The Maastricht Medicine programme is very practice-oriented; from the beginning, you come into contact with simulated and real patients. Furthermore, every student gets guidance by a mentor. You'll get to know your mentor very well, and (s)he will help you find your way in your studies and examine your own development with a critical eye.

Judith Sieben / Programme coordinator bachelor Medicine

MaRBLe excellence programme

Through the Maastricht Research Based Learning programme, MaRBLe for short, we offer talented third-year bachelor’s students the opportunity to conduct their own research project. You will be guided by experienced academic staff who will help you further develop your critical thinking and research skills. This will help prepare you for a career in scientific research or research positions in business.

More about MaRBLe