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 European Studies for the academic year 2023-2024.

Important deadlines for application for this study programme

Applicable when starting on 1 September 2023

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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Date	What you need to know about this date
1 October 2022	Studielink is open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024
Up to and including 1 April 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 May 2023, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for EU/EEA applicants

Please note: in Studielink you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2023 in the pulldown-menu, so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year.

General requirements: previous education

The admission requirements for academic year 2023/24 for the bachelor’s programme in European Studies depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Applicants with a Dutch diploma

If you have one of the diplomas stated below then, in principle, you qualify for admission:

Dutch VWO diploma
HBO or OU propaedeutic diploma
HBO diploma

Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma

If you have a non-Dutch diploma that is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma you are, in principle, admissible to this programme. Check if this applies for your diploma.

List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2023/24

If your diploma is not included in this list, it must be evaluated by UM first.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements

Entrance exam, Colloquium Doctum
If you do not have the required diploma, or do not meet the additional requirements, you can still qualify by passing an entrance exam (the so-called Colloquium Doctum).

If you pass the Colloquium Doctum and submit the requested proof of language proficiency, you will qualify for admission to the bachelor’s programme.

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

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.

Credit transfer

If you have followed university or higher vocational education before, you may qualify for exemptions. This means you can use the results you obtained elsewhere for your programme at Maastricht University.

In practice, requests for exemptions from regular courses and skills training courses are rarely approved. Only exemption from the 24 ECTS credits in the free fifth semester is possible.

A request for exemptions will only be taken into consideration after you have enrolled in the programme as a student.

For more information on credit transfer please contact the Board of Examiners of this programme: BoE-fasos[at]maastrichtuniversity[dot]nl

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 portrait picture
This 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 it.

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

Evidence of additional courses or tests in the required subjects (if applicable)
Outcome of your language test with sufficient result (if applicable)
A request for credit transfer (if applicable)

Please note:
Only complete registrations will be taken into consideration.
All documents must be in Dutch, English or German.

How do we assess your application?

Matching Procedure

Maastricht University offers you the opportunity to make use of a Matching Procedure. The purpose of Matching is to gain a better understanding of the study programme you have chosen and how well the programme fits your needs and expectations.

This Matching Procedure is a voluntary part of the admissions procedure.

For the bachelor’s programme European Studies our Matching Procedure is as follows:

You will receive an online intake questionnaire on the email address you have specified in Studielink. The more open and spontaneous your answers are, the better the feedback and advice can be. Read the descriptions of the courses and the programme information before you answer the questions.

Once you have completed the procedure, the Board of Admissions will evaluate the results and send you a response by email.

Privacy statement Matching Procedure