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 Computer Science for academic year 2024-2025.

Important deadlines for study programme application

The bachelor’s programme in Computer Science starts in September. The deadlines below are applicable for applying for a start in September 2024.

When you want to apply or are applying for this study programme, it is important that you inform yourself of the deadlines that you need to meet. The important deadlines are provided in the table below.

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Date	What you need to know about this date
1 October 2023	Studielink is open for applications for the academic year 2024-2025
Up to and including 1 April 2024, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for non-EU/EEA applicants (these applicants require a visa or residence permit)
Up to and including 1 May 2024, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland
Up to and including 31 August 2024, 23:59 CET	If applicable: deadline for submitting English proficiency test result
Up to and including 15 June 2024, 23:59 CET	If applicable: deadline for submitting extra math test result for non-EU/EEA applicants
Up to and including 31 August 2024, 23:59 CET	If applicable: deadline for submitting the extra math test result

Please note: in Studielink you need to select the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2024 in the pulldown menu: the start of the next academic year.

The information on this page is for students who would like to start in academic year 2024-2025. Please click here to look into the admission requirements for academic year 2023-2024.

Any additional questions?
Get in touch with us!

General requirements: previous education

The admission requirements for academic year 2024-2025 for the bachelor’s programme in Computer Science depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Applicants with a Dutch diploma

You qualify for admission if you have one of the following diplomas:

VWO diploma with mathematics B;
A relevant HBO ‘propedeuse’ or bachelor’s degree, math and English requirements apply.

Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma

You qualify for admission if you have one of the following diplomas:

Belgian diplomas: ASO with mathematics at least 4 hours per week in the final 2 years. KSO, TSO, or BSO (BSO only if you followed the seventh year) will be evaluated individually
German diplomas: a Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife with Grundkurs mathematics up to and including the final year
Other countries: a pre-university high school diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma with a sufficient amount of higher level mathematics education
International Baccalaureate from Geneva: Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL, with a minimum grade 5, or Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL with a minimum grade 5, or (further) Mathematics HL (exam before 2021)
European Baccalaureate: mathematics at least 5 hours per week in the final 2 years
British A/AS-levels, (I)GCE’s and/or AICE: mathematics GCE A-Level

If your diploma is not included in this list, it must be evaluated first. Please note that this takes time. Apply as early as possible, preferably before 1 April 2024.

List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2024-2025
Additional subject requirement pertaining to non-Dutch entry qualifications 2024-2025

Foundation Programme

International applicants who do not meet the admission requirements:
Foundation Programme

If you are an international prospective student applicant, and you do not meet the admission requirements, then you may be eligible for the Foundation Programme. The Foundation Programme will provide you with intensive training in academic skills, courses relevant to your chosen bachelor's programme, and English language skills (depending on your level).

After successfully completing the Foundation Programme, you will qualify for admission to this bachelor’s programme. Additionally, the Foundation Programme offers support outside of the classroom and organises events that will help you make new friends and adjust to life in the Netherlands and at Maastricht University.

Learn more about the Foundation Programme

Applicants who do not meet the requirements

If you do not have the required diploma, or do not meet the additional subject requirements, there are several ways to eliminate your deficiency depending on your background.

Eliminating a mathematics deficiency

UM will always check whether you meet the general and mathematics requirements for admission, and you will be informed if you do not meet the mathematics requirements. If you do meet the general requirements for admission but not meet the mathematics requirement, there are several options available:

You can take our on-site entrance exam at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences in Maastricht. For questions about the entrance exam that will take place at the end of June 2024, please contact our Admissions Officer via dacs-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl
You can take an additional VWO Mathematics B course and/or exam with an external institute (see below for a list of options).

Where else can I take a VWO Mathematics B course and/or exam (externally)?

Dutch (speaking) applicants can take a VWO Mathematics B exam at for example NHA or LOI.
All applicants can take the VWO Mathematics B course and test (or test only) offered by the Boswell Institute. We advise a minimum result of 7 in order to successfully complete the first year of the Computer Science programme.
All prospective students can take the online OMPT-D test. There is a maximum of two attempts to pass the OMPT-D test with at least 60%.

Please take note of the deadlines for submitting an extra math test result; these are provided in the table under ‘Important deadlines for study programme application’ on this page.

When am I eligible for the options mentioned above?
You have a VWO diploma or equivalent, but do not meet our mathematics requirement.

Colloquium Doctum

If you do not have the required diploma, and/or cannot meet the additional requirements via the options outlined above, you can still qualify for admission by passing the Colloquium Doctum. If you pass the Colloquium Doctum you will qualify for admission.

When are you eligible for a Colloquium Doctum?

You don’t have a VWO diploma or an HBO/propaedeutic statement; and you are 21 years or older.

If you wish to apply based on the Colloquium Doctum, please:

Indicate this in Studielink
Upload a personal statement in your application portal stating you wish to apply based on the Colloquium Doctum

For questions about (how to pass) the Colloqium Doctum, please contact our Admissions Officer via dacs-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Please note that Maastricht University does not have a corporate agreement with external institutes and therefore cannot help you with applying for mathematics courses or exams offered by external parties.

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.

Exemptions

If you have followed courses at a university of applied sciences (HBO) or a research university before, you may qualify for exemptions. This means you could use the credits you obtained elsewhere for your study programme at Maastricht University.

The Board of Examiners will determine whether this is possible in your case. They will compare the content and level of your previous education with the course or subject for which you are requesting exemption. To make use of this possibility, you must submit an exemption request to the study programme’s Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners will only consider a request for exemption once you are enrolled in the study programme. This means you first need to apply for, and be admitted to the first year of the Computer Science programme.

Do you have questions about credit transfer or do you think you might qualify for exemption? Email the programme’s Board of Examiners at: dacs-boe@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Documents required for the 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 passport picture
The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements
A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
Scan the personal details’ page(s). Save this copy as ‘passport copy’ (and not as ‘passport picture’)
A copy of your most recent grades transcript
A certified copy of your diploma if you already obtained it

Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background

Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
Answer the questions concerning language requirements under ‘Language requirements for English-language programmes’ on this webpage to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which documents you can use to prove your proficiency.
Proof of your proficiency in mathematics with evidence of additional courses or tests in mathematics
If you have been notified by the Student Services Centre that you do not meet the mathematics admission requirements - directly or after you have been asked to upload more details -, you will need to pass an extra math test (see ‘Eliminating a mathematics deficiency’ on this page) and provide us with your results.

How do we assess your application?

Matching Procedure

Maastricht University finds it most important that you choose a study programme and learning environment that suits you well and in which you can be successful. This is why a Matching Procedure is an optional part of the application process. However, you are not required to complete the Matching Procedure to be qualified for admission if you have met all other requirements.

The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences strongly advises you to participate in the Matching Procedure. You will receive an invitation to complete the questionnaire on the private email address that you indicated in Studielink. Please complete this task before 1 May. Read the course descriptions and study programme information on our website before you begin. You will receive feedback via email. Based on the outcome, you can request a meeting to discuss your application with a member of the staff or the study advisor.

Privacy statement Matching Procedure

Binding Study Advice

This study programme has a Binding Study Advice. This means that in your first year of the programme, you must obtain a minimum of 45 out of 60 ECTS credits. Students who fail to meet these criteria will receive a negative Binding Study Advice that leads to exclusion from the programme for a period of six years. All students who are at risk of receiving a negative Binding Study Advice will receive a warning after the first semester.