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Biobased Materials

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 master’s programme in Biobased Materials for academic year 2025-2026.

The master’s programme in Biobased Materials 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 May 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 June 2025, 23:59 CET Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland

Please note:

  • Find out if you can apply for a scholarship or financial aid. Deadlines for scholarships are often earlier than the dates mentioned above
  • In Studielink you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2025 in the pulldown-menu, so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year

The information on this page is for students who would like to start in academic year 2025-2026. Please click here to look into the admission requirements for academic year 2024-2025.

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

The admission requirements for academic year 2025-2026 for the master’s programme in Biobased Materials depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Graduates from a relevant bachelor’s programme

You qualify for admission if you have:

  • a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field composed of at least 180 ECTS.

Relevant fields are:

  • Biology

  • Biomedical Engineering

  • Biomedical Sciences

  • Biotechnology

  • Chemical Engineering

  • Chemistry

  • Polymer/Material Science and Engineering

  • Studies related to Chemistry and Materials from Biological sources

  • Liberal Arts & Sciences/Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences

  • Other bachelor's programmes in a related discipline

If you're unsure whether your bachelor's degree is in a relevant field, please contact our admissions office: fse-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl

UM graduates applying for a continuing master’s programme

You qualify for admission if you hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Maastricht Science Programme or Circular Engineering from Maastricht University (UM).

Graduates from equivalent Dutch HBO bachelor's programmes

You qualify for admission, but you need additional approval by the Board of Admissions.

Questions? Send us an email

Graduates from universities of applied sciences

Students with a degree from universities of applied sciences (Dutch HBO or international equivalent) in a related field could gain direct access to the master’s programme without the need for a pre-master’s. Please contact our admissions team to discuss further. If you are just short of the entry requirements, then you may be required to complete a one semester pre-master’s programme.

We have rolling admissions. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will know whether or not you have a place in the programme. We advise you to apply as early as possible, especially if you think you are likely to receive a pre-master’s advice. We suggest you apply at least one month before the deadline.

More information about the pre-master’s programme for the master’s in Biobased Materials

You can follow this pre-master’s if you have minor deficiencies in your prior knowledge. The Board of Admissions may then offer you a one-semester pre-master’s programme. If you complete the pre-master’s successfully in one semester, you qualify for direct admission to the master’s programme.

For applicants with a non-EEA diploma it is not possible to apply for our pre-master's programmes directly. You will have to apply for one of our regular master's programmes first. If your credentials and previous education are insufficient to qualify for direct admission into one of our master's programmes, the Board of Admissions will determine whether a pre-master’s programme can be offered.

The pre-master’s programme will be tailor-made based on your previous knowledge and skills.

For more information, please contact fse-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Additional requirements

Language requirements for English-language master's 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.

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. 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 of your current bachelor’s programme
     
  • A copy of your diploma of your current bachelor’s programme if you have obtained it
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor's programme.
     
  • Your curriculum vitae
    List your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
     
  • A motivation letter (max. 500 words)
    • Provide good arguments about why you want to do this master's programme at Maastricht University and why you believe that you can successfully complete the programme.
       
    • Your letter should answer the following questions:
      • Why did you choose Maastricht University?
      • Why do you want to study the master's in Biobased Materials?
      • What makes you a suitable candidate for this programme?
      • How do your background/strengths/skills relate to the field of biobased materials? To answer this, you can describe any previous experience you might have. For example, describe any courses you might have taken, participation in bachelor or extracurricular research or projects (if any), experience with English, experience or views on teamwork, etc. It all counts.
      • What do you hope to learn/develop by studying Biobased Materials at Maastricht University?

* As a UM student it is not necessary to upload these documents in the MyApplication portal. Unless your passport is not valid on 1 September 2025; in that case you do have to upload a copy of your passport.
 

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 English-language master’s 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.
     

  • A letter from your home university stating the language of instruction was English (if applicable)

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.

For this master's programme, selection takes place.

The Board of Admissions will review and assess your application. You will be informed whether you are selected for an interview.
 

The admissions interview

The interview is intended to find out whether there is a match between you and our master's programme. The interview is conducted in English by one member of the Board of Admissions and takes approximately 30 minutes. The interview takes place via Zoom/Microsoft Teams.

Preparation

Your application and personal statement will be the starting point for the interview. You should also inform yourself well about the Biobased Materials programme. Sources to do so are this website, our (online) Experience Days, or (if possible) an open day you have visited.

After the interview

Within one week after the interview, the Board of Admissions will inform you whether you are offered a place in the master’s in Biobased Materials or not.

Finalisation of your application at Biobased Materials

After accepting the offered place in the Biobased Materials master's programme and successfully completing the admission process, you will receive an email informing you on the steps to take in order to finalise your enrolment at UM. Furthermore, you will receive a request to pay your tuition fee.

Scholarships

At Maastricht University, scholarships are handled directly by the Scholarship Office (not by the study programmes). For information about available scholarships and deadlines, please consult this website.