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 Digital Society for the academic year 2026-2027. Questions about admission? Contact us via study@maastrichtuniversity.nl
The information on this page is for students who would like to start in the academic year 2026-2027.
See the admission requirements for the academic year 2025-2026.
Important deadlines for study programme application
General requirements: previous education
Additional requirements
Documents required for application process
Matching survey
Application deadlines
The bachelor’s programme in Digital Society starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start in September 2026.
Note: if you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend that you use landscape mode.
| Date | What you need to know about this date |
|---|---|
| As soon as possible after 1 October 2025 | Apply via Studielink* (open for applications for the academic year 2026-2027 from 1 October). |
| 1 April 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process if you have a non-EU/EEA nationality (in most cases, you will need a visa and/or residence permit). |
| 1 May 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process if you have an EU/EEA or Swiss nationality. |
| 1 August 2026 | Strongly recommended deadline for paying the tuition fee. |
| 31 August 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing all tasks in the MyApplication portal** |
*Studielink is the national registration system for higher education,
**The MyApplication portal is Maastricht University’s application and enrolment platform.
Please note: in Studielink you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2026 in the dropdown-menu, so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year.
Are you a non-EU/EEA nationality 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 2026/27 for the bachelor’s programme in Digital Society 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, in principle, qualify for admission to this programme. Check if this applies for your diploma.
List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2026/27
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 for admission 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.
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 education at a research university or a university of applied sciences 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 30 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@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Documents required for application process
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.
Please note:
Only complete applications will be taken into consideration.
All documents must be in Dutch, English, German or French.
- A recent portrait picture
This picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the task description 'Upload portrait photo' 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 and/or a copy of your diploma if you have obtained it
Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background
- Outcome of your language test with sufficient result (if applicable)
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.
- Evidence of additional courses or tests in the required subjects (if applicable)
- A request for credit transfer (if applicable)
- Permission for document verification form
If your diploma is not verified by DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch government agency responsible for education-related matters), you will need to upload the form ‘Permission for document verification’ in the MyApplication portal. This form allows Maastricht University to verify your diploma, grades transcript or other required documents directly with the issuing institution or relevant qualification registry.
How do we assess your application?
Matching Procedure
Part of your application procedure for Digital Society is a Matching Procedure (in the form of a questionnaire). The purpose of 'matching' is for you to gain a better understanding of the study programme you have chosen, and for you and us to see if it fits well with your needs and expectations.
You will receive the matching questionnaire, along with instructions, from FASoS Admissions at the email address you provided in Studielink. Once you have completed the questionnaire, you will receive an email with feedback, including the dates for information activities.