Language
  • Dutch
Format
  • Full time
Start date
  • September
Location
  • Maastricht
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Bachelor

Health Sciences

Discover how factors of biology, behaviour, and environment influence health. Learn to think from different perspectives and work on solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s complex health challenges.

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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 Health Sciences for the academic year 2026-2027. Questions about admission? Contact us via study@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Please note: this study programme is taught in Dutch

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.

Application deadlines

The bachelor’s programme in Health Sciences starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2026

Note: if you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend using landscape mode.

DateWhat 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** 

If you need a visa and/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 national 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 2026-2027 for the bachelor’s programme in Health Sciences depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Applicants with a Dutch diploma

You qualify for admission if you have one of the following diplomas:

  • Dutch VWO diploma, new style, all profiles
  • Dutch VWO diploma, old style, preferably with mathematics
  • HBO propedeuse, or bachelor’s degree, preferably with mathematics
  • OU propedeuse, preferably with mathematics
Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma

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

List of diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2026-2027

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

Applicants without the appropriate diploma or with missing courses

If you do not have the necessary diplomas, you may still be eligible for admission with an entrance exam (the Colloquium Doctum exam). For this, you must be 21 years of age or older. 

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) of the UM does not organise a Colloquium Doctum exam. You must demonstrate with certificates that you have mastered the required subjects at Dutch VWO-level new style. These are: English and mathematics A or mathematics B. You must arrange obtaining the certificates yourself.
 

Click here to find out if you meet the Dutch language requirements for this study programme

Click here to find out if you meet the English language requirements for this study programme
 


Once you pass the exams, you must send the certificates to UM by postal mail or to a designated email address. You will find more information in the MyApplication portal under ‘Certified copy diploma’.

Additional requirements

Language requirements for Dutch-language bachelor's and master's programmes

As Dutch is the language of instruction in this study programme, it is essential that your Dutch language skills are good enough for you to undertake intensive and challenging academic courses that are taught and examined in Dutch.

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.

Exemptions

Students who are of the opinion that they have already obtained comparable subjects earlier can request exemptions. The subjects must be equivalent in terms of content, study hours and level.

A request for exemption can only be considered if you have already enrolled.

For more information about exemptions, you can send a message to the Board of Examiners of FHML via askFHML.

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. You can find these requirements in the task description 'Upload portrait picture' 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 already.
Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in Dutch
    Answer the questions concerning language requirements under ‘Language requirements for Dutch-language bachelor’s and master’s 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.
     
  • A Colloquium Doctum certificate English
    For those applicants who want to qualify for a Colloquium Doctum statement and do not meet the requirement of command of the English language on Dutch VWO level.
     
  • A Colloquium Doctum certificate Dutch
    For those applicants who want to qualify for a Colloquium Doctum statement and do not meet the requirement of command of the Dutch language on Dutch VWO level.
     
  • A Colloquium Doctum certificate mathematics
    For those applicants who want to qualify for a colloquium Doctum statement and do not meet the requirement of command of mathematics on Dutch VWO level.
     
  • A questionnaire Matching Procedure Health Sciences
    For those applicants who chose themselves to take part in the Matching Procedure. You are not required to complete the Matching procedure to qualify for admission.
     
  • 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?

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 in this section.

Maastricht University (UM) will assess whether your previous education makes that you qualify for admission.

Additional documents may be required to assess your previous education. If so, you will receive a request by email, so please keep an eye on your inbox.

If you do not qualify for admission based on your previous education or missing subjects, you will be informed about further actions that are required of you.

You will receive a message once UM has made the decision.

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 we offer you several opportunities to explore whether the programme matches your background and interest (for example Open Days and Experience Days). In addition, you may pose questions to evaluate your match with the programme and/or arrange a meeting with one of our study advisers by sending an email to: studiekeuzecheck@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Privacy statement Matching Procedure
Read more about the privacy statement for the Matching Procedure

Study advice at end of bachelor year 1

At the end of year 1 of the study programme, every student receives advice on whether or not to continue his/her study. This advice is not binding. However, students must meet predetermined requirements documented in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) of the study programme.