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 Economics and Business Economics for academic year 2027-2028.
The bachelor’s programme in Economics and Business Economics is a selective programme with selection by Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics. You will need to meet the International Classroom requirement in order to be considered for admission.
If you need it, you can still consult the admission requirements for the previous academic year: 2026–2027
Important to know
- Additional requirement for selection: International Classroom Essay . You have to pass the Essay to be admitted to the programme.
- Start your application on time. Please be aware that your application, including the International Classroom Essay, has to be complete by the applicable application deadline (see Application deadlines).
Application deadlines
The bachelor's programme in Economics and Business Economics starts in September. The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2027.
Note: If you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend using landscape mode.
| Date | What you need to know about this date |
|---|---|
| As soon as possible after 1 October 2026 | Apply via Studielink* (open for applications for the academic year 2027-2028 from 1 October) |
| 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET | Early deadline for submitting the International Classroom Essay (EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA-applicants) |
| 15 March 2027, 23:59 CET | Ultimate deadline for all applicants to:
Note: If you have a non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationality, you will in most cases need a visa and/or residence permit. |
| 15 April 2027 | Outcome International Classroom Essay if submitted before 15 January |
| 1 August 2027 | Strongly recommended deadline for paying the tuition fee |
| 31 August 2027, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing all enrolment tasks (‘Enter tuition payment details’, ‘Send certified copy of diploma’, ‘Update passport / ID’ (if applicable)) in the MyApplication portal** Note: if you need a visa or residence permit, you must complete your visa file by 30 June, 23:59 CET. |
*Studielink is the national registration system for higher education,
**The MyApplication portal is Maastricht University’s application and enrolment platform.
Visa/residence permit for study
Are you a non-EU/EEA national requiring a visa/residence permit for study? Click here for more information
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 your 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
Previous education
Applicants with a Dutch diploma
If you have one of the diplomas stated below, you qualify for admission:
- VWO diploma with mathematics A or mathematics B
- VWO diploma without mathematics A or mathematics B*
- HBO or OU propaedeutic diploma*
* For this study programme, mathematics A or mathematics B on VWO level is required. For a propaedeutic or other diploma, the Admissions team will conduct a separate evaluation to determine if you meet the additional subject requirements for your chosen study programme.
As soon as your application has been assessed, you will be informed more specifically about any subject deficiency via the MyApplication portal.
More information about Clear your mathematics deficiency or refreshing your mathematics skills.
Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma
If you have a non-Dutch diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma you qualify, in principle, for admission to this programme. Check whether this applies to your diploma.
List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma
Please note: If your diploma is not included in this list, it must be evaluated first. UM will assess whether you qualify for admission on individual basis.
Additional subject requirements for non-Dutch applicants
In addition, your previous education must not only be equivalent to the Dutch VWO level, but must also include specific subjects all with a duration and depth equivalent to the Dutch VWO subjects, in particular, mathematics A.
See the additional subject requirements for several foreign diplomas.
If your diploma is not listed, the Admissions team will conduct a separate evaluation to determine if you meet the additional subject requirements for your chosen study programme.
As soon as your application has been assessed, you will be informed more specifically about any subject deficiency via the MyApplication portal.
More information about clearing your mathematics deficiency or refreshing your mathematics skills.
Clear your mathematics deficiency or refreshing your mathematics skills
Students who do not meet the required mathematics level, have a so-called mathematics deficiency. The mathematics deficiency has to be cleared before the start of the bachelor’s first year. To help you meet the mathematic requirement, we offer an online preparatory math course and an online exam.
Do you meet the mathematics requirement, but still want to improve your mathematics skills? You can follow the online preparatory math course without having to take the exam. Mathematics and statistics are essential in this programme. Our experience learns that quite a lot of students are not sufficiently prepared for the introductory courses that start right away in September. To avoid problems during those first months, we designed this online preparatory math course.
Questions?
If you have questions about the mathematics requirement, please check the FAQ or contact us at study@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
More information about the online math course and exam
Online preparatory math course: more information
Online math exam (deficiency exam): more information
Required documents for the application procedure
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.
Questions
If you have questions regarding the International Classroom requirement, please contact:
SBE Admissions Office
ba-admissions-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Required documents for all applicants to this study programme
- A recent passport 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
Scan the personal details’page(s). Save this copy as ‘passport copy’ (and not as ‘passport picture’).
- A copy of your diploma (if already obtained)
- A copy of your grades transcripts of the last two years of secondary school
International Classroom Essay
The International Classroom Essay is submitted via a web form in the MyApplication portal. It consists of six questions you need to answer. The suggested answer length is 200 words, with a maximum of 250 words per answer. Please note that once the Essay has been submitted, it cannot be re-submitted. For more information about the International Classroom requirement, please see How do we assess your application?
Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background
- Proof of mathematics proficiency
If you do not meet the required mathematics level, you have to clear your mathematics deficiency by taking part in the online preparatory math course and passing the online exam.
- Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English 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.
- 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.
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.
How do we assess your application?
When you want to apply or are applying to this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this here.
The International Classroom Essay is a requirement set to assess your motivation and suitability for studying in an international, interactive, and discussion-based learning environment, such as the one at Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics. We consider the essay as a test of the seriousness of the application, and assess whether the answers demonstrate a conscious choice for studying in the specific context of Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics (e.g. teaching method, international classroom setting and job anticipation). In addition to motivation, the Essay is used to evaluate several key criteria, including self-awareness, intercultural intelligence, global awareness, and a collaborative mindset.
Your Essay will be assessed by the International Classroom committee. If your Essay is assessed as sufficient, you will be admitted to the programme. If your Essay is not sufficient to meet the International Classroom criteria as described above, your application will be rejected. This means that you will not be able to start the bachelor's programme in Economics and Business Economics. This decision will also be valid for the bachelor's programme in International Business, since the International Classroom requirement is the same for both programmes.
- For more information please see the Bachelor Education and Examination Regulations (EER) 2026-2027
Additional info
Possibility of enrolment in the second year and exemptions for the entire first year
If you have successfully completed courses equivalent to the first year of a School of Business and Economics (SBE) bachelor's study programme (at the same university level), you may qualify for exemptions. Students who transfer from another university to SBE (not between SBE bachelor's programmes at UM), cannot be exempted from parts of the first-year programme, but only from the entire first year of the bachelor’s study programme. To apply for an exemption, you have to submit a request to the Board of Examiners. If your request has been approved, you can enrol in the second year.
Please note that the exemptions deadline is 1 May 2027 (non-EU students) or 1 June 2027 (EU students). If we have not received correct and completely filled out forms before this date, your request will not be taken into account.
More information regarding exemptions and how to apply for them.
Applicants whose diploma is based on a non-EU-EEA curriculum (handling fee)
Applicants for this study programme whose diploma is based on a non-EU/EEA curriculum are required to pay a handling fee. This applies even if the educational institution is located within the EU/EEA, as the fee is based on the curriculum, not the location of the institution. More information on this handling fee and how to arrange this payment can be found on the handling fee page.