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.

Important deadlines for study programme application

The bachelor’s programme University College Maastricht starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applying for a start in September 2024.

There is no longer a start in February

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.

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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.

Additional requirements

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.

Credit transfer

In some cases, it is possible to transfer credits obtained in other institutions of higher education to your UCM curriculum. The Board of Examiners determines, upon your request, whether credits obtained are eligible for credit transfer. We strongly advise you to consider on forehand whether you would like to transfer previously obtained credits to University College Maastricht. If this is the case, discuss this with your Academic Advisor (who is appointed to you after starting UCM) upon commencing your studies. In cooperation with your Academic Advisor, you can then submit a request for transfer to the Board of Examiners. This must be done no later than the last day of your first year (i.e. before the end of your second semester).

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes down to credit transfer:

• You can only transfer credits obtained at an (academic) university.
• You cannot transfer credits that are part of a completed degree.
• You cannot transfer credits that were part of your admissions requirements.
• You can transfer credits up to 60 ECTS.

The Board of Examiners will eventually determine whether the request for credit transfer is approved.

Transferring credits also has consequences for your curriculum. For instance:

• The total amount of credits obtained at external institutions is 60 ECTS. Hence, a credit transfer can limit your freedom to follow courses at other faculties or to go abroad.
• Because of graduation requirements, transferring credits does not automatically reduce your time at UCM.
• Depending on the kind of courses you transfer, a credit transfer might determine your concentration or might limit your options in other ways.

To sum up, transferring credits is possible, but several factors determine whether your request will be accepted by the MSLAS-UCM Board of Examiners and whether this is beneficial for your curriculum. Sometimes a simple pre-requisite waiver, using your external experience and foreknowledge to get access to more advanced level courses, suffices.

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.

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.