Why this programme
The Health Sciences programme at Maastricht University is unique. Your introductory year is multidisciplinary, covering the entire field of health and healthcare. Good health is the result of interactions between many factors, including behaviour, the environment, social surroundings, biology and healthcare. You'll study general health, the factors that influence it, and the relationship between these factors. This enables you to ask critical questions, come up with effective solutions and take adequate action.
Broad programme
The Health Sciences programme at Maastricht University is the broadest of its kind in Europe. We approach health from a variety of relevant scientific perspectives - behaviour, nutrition, environment and society - and we study the relationship between several factors.
During the broad first year, you lay a good knowledge foundation, and at the same time you orientate and learn where your interests lie. That way you are well-prepared, when you choose your specialisation in year 2.
Multidisciplinary and tailor-made
After the first introductory and general year, you'll start your second year with a specialisation. You must choose one of these five tracks:
- Digital Technology and Care
- Biology and Health
- Mental Health Sciences
- Policy, Management and Evaluation of Health Care
- Prevention and Health
Would you like to learn more about the tracks? Visit our specialisation page
You have plenty of opportunity to concentrate on specific areas of interest and specialise in a particular field. It's all about you: your ambitions, your interests and your potential.
Study abroad
The Health Sciences programme gives you the opportunity to study abroad for at least half a year. Imagine exploring the streets of London, or taking a weekend hike outside Vancouver all while studying at one of the top universities in the country. The bachelor's programme in Health Sciences has exchange partners in Switzerland, Australia, the UK, Canada and Denmark. Although spending a semester abroad is not compulsory, many students take advantage of this opportunity. The university also offers grants for students that would like to study abroad.
International orientation
Maastricht University has a strong international orientation. More than a third of our students come from abroad, so you will come into contact with many people of other nationalities. Internationalisation is an important aspect of the bachelor’s programme in Health Sciences. This is reflected in our programme. Even though the bachelor's in Health Sciences is taught in Dutch, you will have to attend English lectures, tutorial groups and skills labs, and you'll work with students from partner universities around the world.
Small groups = big advantages
As with many Maastricht University programmes, the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences programmes are taught using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small tutorial groups of 10 to 12 students, you seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help as it’s needed. This allows you to build independence and develop problem-solving skills that you’ll need in the field. This active, dynamic and collaborative learning method has one of the highest knowledge retention rates of any instructional method.
Excellence programmes
Honours programme
The faculty offers an Honours Programme for its most motivated and talented students. This prestigious programme allows chosen students to follow an in-depth track in their field of study. In the Honours Programme, you are actively involved in research projects surrounding current issues in the health sector and other life sciences. You also deal with historical and philosophical issues in the field of medicine. The programme is faculty-wide, which means you'll be working together with students from other programmes.
The programme starts during the bachelor’s second year and lasts for 18 months. It requires an overall investment of about 420 hours. Once you have successfully completed the Honours Programme, you’ll receive an Honours Certificate, in addition to your diploma.
MaRBLe excellence programme
Through the Maastricht Research Based Learning programme, MaRBLe for short, we offer talented third-year bachelor’s students the opportunity to conduct their own research project. You will be guided by experienced academic staff who will help you further develop your critical thinking and research skills. This will help prepare you for a career in scientific research or research positions in business.