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 European Law School bachelor's programme for the academic year 2026-2027.
For information on the current year, see the admission requirements for the academic year 2025-2026.
Questions about admission requirements? Contact us via study@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Numerus fixus
Please note that due to high popularity, the European Law School has transitioned to a numerus fixus programme. This means that there is a fixed number of spots for students, which helps us maintain the quality of education. Admission will be determined by an unweighted lottery system, meaning everyone has an equal chance of being allocated a place within the programme.
Applicants can apply via Studielink from 1 October and then need to complete several admission tasks in the MyApplication portal by 15 January. UM will then conduct a lottery and assign each applicant a ranking number at random. These ranking numbers are submitted to Studielink (before 15 April). Studielink will allocate study places to applicants with the lowest ranking numbers. Applicants will then have two weeks to accept their place. If they do not accept their place, their spot is automatically offered to the next person on the list.
If you want to know more about the numerus fixus please consult our Q&A page.
Application deadlines
The European Law School bachelor's programme starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2026.
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| 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) |
| 15 January 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process for all applicants. If you have a non-EU/EEA nationality, you will (in most cases, you will need a visa and/or residence permit). |
| 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** If you need a visa or residence permit, you must complete most tasks by an earlier date. |
*Studielink is the national registration system for higher education,
**The MyApplication portal is Maastricht University’s application and enrolment platform.
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 the academic year 2026-2027 for the European Law School bachelor's programme 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 then, in principle, you qualify for admission to this programme. Check if this applies for your diploma.
Non-Dutch diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2026-2027
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.
Bear in mind that there is a numerus fixus and passing the Colloquium Doctum does not automatically guarantee a place in the bachelor programme for the next academic year.
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 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.
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 or German.
Required documents for all applicants to this study programme
- A recent portrait photo
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
- 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 document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
- Proof of additional courses or tests in the required subjects (if applicable)
A request for exemption (if applicable)
Applicants who are of the opinion that they have already obtained subjects comparable to first-year subjects of this bachelor's programme earlier on can file a request for (an) exemption(s) with the Board of Examiners. The subjects must be equivalent in terms of content, study hours and level. A request for exemptions has to be submitted to the examinations committee of this programme by you. Your request will only be considered if you have already enrolled. For further information about exemptions you can contact the faculty's examination committee by email: examslaw@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Note: It is not possible to enrol for anything other than the first year of this study programme (in other words: 'higher year enrolment' is not possible)
- 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
Maastricht University finds it important that you choose a study programme and learning environment which suits you well and in which you can be successful. This is why a Matching Procedure is an optional part of the application process.
The aim of Matching is to assess whether you and your chosen programme are a good match. It can help you to find out if the study programme suits you.
You will receive an invitation to an online intake questionnaire at the email address you specified in Studielink.
Please complete this as quickly as possible but no later than 1 June 2026. Bear in mind that it can take around one hour to do. Give an open and honest answer to the questions so that the feedback and advice are genuinely about you. Before you start, read the descriptions of the subjects and the course outline of the programme.
The selection committee will evaluate your completed questionnaire. You will subsequently receive feedback and a study advice within six weeks.
Privacy statement Matching Procedure
Read more about the privacy statement for the Matching Procedure
Questions about the Matching Procedure?
Contact the Faculty of Law
ba-admission-law@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31 43 38 82 759 or +31 43 38 83 041
Binding Study Advice
This programme has a Binding Study Advice. This means that in your first year of the programme, you must obtain a minimum of 40 out of 60 ECTS credits. Students who fail to meet these criteria will receive a negative Binding Study Advice that leads to exclusion from the programme for a period of six years. All students who are at risk of receiving a negative Binding Study Advice will receive a warning after the first semester.