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 Psychology 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.
Non-EU students: make sure to check the study progress requirements.
Please note: this study programme is also taught in Dutch. From the academic year 2026-2027 onwards, you are allowed to apply for both the English and the Dutch programme simultaneously. However, if you do not speak Dutch, check the NL version of this page for the language requirements that apply to you. To study in Dutch, you must obtain a language certificate before the start of the academic year. Therefore, carefully consider if you want to apply for both language programmes.
Selection
The bachelor Psychology is a fixus programme with selection by the educational institution. This means that you go through a selection procedure after applying. Not everybody who meets the admission requirements will also be offered a place in the study programme. The UM performs a pre-selection, afterwards Studielink takes care of the allocation procedure. Only a limited number of students can be admitted each year: for the academic year 2026-2027, 300 to the English programme and 300 to the Dutch programme.
For the academic year 2026-2027, all available places will be allocated by means of selection.
Please note: you may apply for both the English and the Dutch programme simultaneously. However, you will perform the pre-selection only once, which then counts for both applications.
See the Selection bachelor Psychology Regulations for 2026-2027
Application deadlines
The bachelor Psychology 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.
| Date | What you need to know about this date |
|---|---|
| As soon as possible from 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 (both applicants who have a EU/EEA or Swiss nationality, and applicants who have a non-EU/EEA nationality) Note: in most cases, applicants with a non-EU/EEA nationality will need a visa and/or residence permit |
| Before 1 February 2026 | The selection procedure will be accessible somewhere between 15 January - 1 February; you'll be informed via email and the MyApplication portal** |
| 1 March 2026, 16:59 CET | Deadline for completing the selection procedure |
| 15 April 2026 | Your ranking number(s) will be published in Studielink |
| 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 before 1 July 2026. |
*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 must directly make a choice as to whether you want to apply only for the Dutch (4501) programme, only for the English (4501_T1) programme, or for both.
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 the academic year 2026-2027 for the bachelor’s programme in Psychology depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.
Applicants with a Dutch VWO or HBO propaedeutic diploma
If you possess one of the diplomas stated below then, in principle, you qualify for admission.
- VWO diploma: all profiles
- All HBO propaedeutic diplomas
Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma
If you have a non-Dutch diploma that is equivalent to the Dutch VWO (pre-university secondary school) diploma you qualify, in principle, for admission to this programme. Check if this applies for 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 first. UM will assess whether you qualify for admission on individual basis.
Applicants without the appropriate diploma and 21 years of age or older
If you do not have the necessary diplomas, you may still be eligible for admission based on the Colloquium Doctum. For this, you must be 21 years of age or older.
The UM Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience does not organise a Colloquium Doctum exam. You must demonstrate with certificates that you have mastered the required subjects (Biology, Mathematics A or B and English) at Dutch VWO-level new style.
Application
Please submit and complete your application before 15 January 2026 and indicate in Studielink that you want to be admitted based on the Colloquium Doctum. The following documents need to be uploaded in the MyApplication portal:
- a copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
- a statement in the MyApplication Portal in which you declare that it is a Colloquium Doctum application
Please note: In order to be admitted based on the Colloquium Doctum you must arrange obtaining the certificates yourself.
- For the Biology and Mathematics A or B exams, you can go to Boswell-Bèta and/or Central Committees for Entrance Exams (CCVX) – entrance exam
- For the English subject exams, please submit one of the following language-test certificates as part of your application:
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 80
- TOEIC listening and reading: 670; speaking and writing: 290
- Cambridge First B2: Grade B (scale 173-175) or, Grade C (scale 169-172)
- TOEFL Paper-delivered Test: Reading: 20-30; Listening: 20-30
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 ‘Send certified copy of diploma’.
Applicants who started a bachelor's in Psychology at another university
Applicants who started a bachelor's programme in Psychology at another university and who wish to transfer to the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University must follow the same application and enrolment process as all other applicants (including the selection procedure). Note that you must apply as a first-year student in Studielink before 15 January 2026.
In case you are offered a place in the bachelor’s programme after completing the selection and once you are fully enrolled (including payment of the tuition fee) as a student at Maastricht University, you can request exemptions based on your previous education. The Board of Examiners will assess requests for credit transfer and will determine which courses you are exempted from. Important information regarding exemptions and how to apply for them can be found here.
Additional requirements
Language requirements English
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 (for the most part in the MyApplication portal). The list below gives you an insight into what documents you will (and might) need to prepare.
Please note: all documents must be uploaded in the MyApplication portal before 15 January 2026, 23:59 CET.
Required documents for all applicants to this study programme
- A recent passport picture
The passport 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 already 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 English’ 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 request for exemption (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?
When you want to apply or are applying for this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information in this section.
Psychology is a numerus fixus programme with selection by the educational institution. This means that you go through a selection process after applying. Due to the limited number of places, we cannot offer a place to every applicant who meets the admission requirements.
From the academic year 2026-2027 onwards, applications are eligible for both the English and the Dutch programme simultaneously in Studielink. However, you will have to do the selection process only once, which then counts for both applications.
Selection procedure
The selection procedure, which consists of an online questionnaire and online test, will be accessible in the MyApplication portal around 1 February 2026.
The selection procedure covers the following subjects:
- study attitude
- motivation and interests
- core competencies for psychologists
- video lectures
- digital literature
- an online test
You can complete the selection procedure in parts and even go back to change your answers, unless otherwise specified.
You can do all of the parts online at a time that suits you. You must complete the selection procedure before 1 March 2026, 16:59 CET. Make sure you start on time.
Please note: once you have submitted the selection test, it cannot be changed and you cannot retake it.
Read more about the selection procedure and selection criteria for 2026-2027
Assessment and ranking score
The criteria examined during your assessment are: your motivation and interests, your study attitude, and your score on the (competency) test that is part of our selection procedure.
Based on the results the UM ranks the candidates. On 15 April 2026 you'll be informed about your ranking number via Studielink.
The allocation starts at the top of the ranking. Students who are offered a place, based on their ranking number, must confirm/accept their place in Studielink within 14 days (14x24 hrs.) after they have been offered a place. This is an absolute deadline!
Note: only complete applications will be assessed. We therefore recommend that you adhere to the deadlines provided in the table under ‘Application deadlines’ on this page.
Selection attempts
Over the years, you're allowed to participate in the selection procedure for this programme up to three times (selection attempts). Each year, one selection procedure takes place. The simultaneous application for the Dutch and English programme within one year only counts as one selection attempt.
More information
- For questions about the selection procedure please email fpn-bacheloradmissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl
For general questions about application, enrolment and admission tasks/documents please email study@maastrichtuniversity.nl