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 University College Maastricht (UCM) for academic year 2024-2025.
UCM attracts highly motivated students with a genuine academic interest. Therefore, UCM has a selective admissions process that is designed to help the Board of Admissions assess whether there is a match between your academic interest and what UCM has to offer. There are 250-275 spots available for incoming students every 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.
Contact UCM Office of Admissions
ucm-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Important deadlines for study programme application
The bachelor’s programme University College Maastricht starts in February and September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applying for a start in February 2024 and 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 when applying for this study programme are provided in the table below.
Note: if you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend that you use landscape mode.
Start in February 2024, academic year 2023-2024
(For the admission requirements of academic year 2023-2024 / start February 2024, please click here, go to University College Maastricht and open the PDF on admission requirements)
Date | What you need to know about this date |
---|---|
1 July 2023 | Studielink opens for applications for the academic year 2023-2024 (study starts in February 2024) |
Up to and including 1 October 2023, 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 October 2023, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland |
Please note:
-
UCM reviews applications on a rolling basis, meaning you don't have to worry about whether applying is still possible. Our application remains open until the deadline. However, with limited spots available, we highly encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Don't wait until the deadline - take the initiative and submit your application promptly
-
All applications which have not been completed by the deadline (by uploading all required documents, see ‘Documents required for application process’ on this page) will not be taken into consideration
-
Studielink: for UCM, please select Liberal Arts & Sciences (UCM) in Studielink.
Start in September 2024, academic year 2024-2025
Date | What you need to know about this date |
---|---|
1 October 2023 | Studielink opens for applications for the academic year 2024-2025 |
Up to and including 5 January 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 March 2024, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA orSwitzerland |
Please note:
-
UCM reviews applications on a rolling basis, meaning you don't have to worry about whether applying is still possible. Our application remains open until the deadline. However, with limited spots available, we highly encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Don't wait until the deadline - take the initiative and submit your application promptly.
-
All applications which have not been completed by the deadline (by uploading all required documents, see ‘Documents required for application process’ on this page) will not be taken into consideration
-
Studielink: for UCM, please select Liberal Arts & Sciences (UCM) in Studielink
General requirements: previous education
The admission requirements for academic year 2024-2025 for the bachelor’s programme University College Maastricht (UCM) depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.
VWO diploma or an international equivalent
You qualify for admission to UCM if you have a Dutch VWO diploma or an international equivalent thereof. Below you can find an overview of diplomas that are recognised as an international equivalent of the Dutch VWO diploma.
UCM does not have any additional subject requirements. Whether you meet the previous education requirements is assessed through the Maastricht University Diploma Evaluation department. If you have not yet obtained the diploma, you can still apply with your latest grades transcript.
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.
Language requirements for this English-language bachelor's programme
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 to this study programme who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country might 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.
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 passport picture
The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements
- 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 the diploma
Please include a translation of your diploma and/or grades transcript if the originals are not in Dutch, English, German or French
- A motivation letter in English
The format can be found in the MyApplication portal
- Your curriculum vitae
The format can be found in the MyApplication portal
Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background
- Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English (if applicable)
Answer the questions concerning language requirements under ‘Language requirements for this English-language bachelor’s programme’ 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.
-
A credit transfer request (if applicable)
If you have completed courses at a recognised and accredited higher education institution after secondary school, you can apply for these credits to be transferred to UCM.Please complete the credit transfer request form and send it to ucm-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl together with a transcript. Please do so simultaneously with your application to UCM.
Furthermore, whilst applying in Studielink, click on ‘YES’ to the question ‘Starts in the first year’, even though you are planning on transferring credits.
After receiving a possible invitation to attend UCM, you will be invited for a credit transfer information meeting with the UCM Board of Examiners, which will take place during the introduction days. As the Board of Examiners has the responsibility to guarantee the quality of the content of the UCM study programme, the Board is interested in how the transferred credits from your previous study contribute to the content of your UCM curriculum. The maximum number of credits that can be transferred to UCM is 60 ECTS.
Please be informed, your final request for credit transfer needs to be submitted during the course registration for your second semester at UCM. This gives you the possibility to get used to our programme and discuss the content of your curriculum with your academic advisor.
Please note that credits needed in order to qualify for admission cannot be transferred, nor can credits obtained from a community college or junior college.
Please note:
- Please make sure to upload all the required documents by the deadline, otherwise your application will not be taken into consideration (for those deadlines, see the paragraph ‘Important deadlines for study programme application’ on this page)
- If you have not graduated yet, you must upload your most recent grades transcript. You must, however, have graduated prior to starting your studies at UCM
How do we assess your application?
When you want to apply or are applying for this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this here.
UCM has a selective admissions process. The selection process consists of two rounds.
First round
In the first round, the Board of Admissions will review your admission documents and will inform you via email if you have been selected for an interview.
Second round
Admissions interview: the interview focuses on your academic plans and how you intend to accomplish these through an education at UCM. The interview is conducted in English by one UCM staff member and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
Final decision
Within two to four weeks after the interview, the Board of Admissions will inform you on their decision whether to offer you a place at UCM or not.
Binding Study Advice
UCM has a Binding Study Advice, which is issued by the Board of Examiners of UCM (ucm-boe@maastrichtuniversity.nl) on behalf of the faculty board to each student regarding continuation or not of the study programme. 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 earn enough credits will receive a negative Binding Study Advice that leads to exclusion from all MS-LAS programmes (UCM, MSP,UCV), for a period of six years. All students who are at risk of receiving a negative Binding Study Advice will receive a warning after their first semester.
Download the University College Maastricht Education and Examination Regulations