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 Sustainable Bioscience for the academic year 2026-2027.
Questions about admission? Contact us via study@maastrichtuniversity.nl. For questions about the study programme, contact us via campusvenlo-admissions@maastrichtunivesity.nl
Application deadlines
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 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 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.
Please note:
- In Studielink, you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2026 in the dropdown menu so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year.
- Tip: When registering in Studielink, it’s easier to find the programme if you first select ‘Venlo’ as the location.
Do you have a non-EU/EEA nationality and require a visa/residence permit?
Maastricht University can only formally apply for your visa/residence permit if you have met all admission and enrolment requirements.
This means you must have completed all admission and enrolment tasks in the MyApplication portal (except the tasks ‘Arrange visa / legal residence’ and ‘Send certified copy of diploma’) before we can send your application to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Deadlines for sending your application to the IND:
- 1 July: if you are applying to start in September
- 1 December: if you are applying to start in February (only available for some programmes)
If you are not sure you can complete the following before the deadline, we strongly recommend reconsidering your application:
- eliminated all subject and/or language deficiencies (if applicable)
- qualified for admission to the study programme, including being selected (for selective programmes) AND
- paid the tuition fee
General requirements: previous education
The admission requirements for the academic year 2026-2027 for the bachelor’s programme in Sustainable Bioscience 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:
- VWO Natuur en Techniek + Biology
- VWO Natuur en Gezondheid + Wiskunde B
If you do not hold one of the diplomas listed above, Maastricht University will determine whether you qualify for admission. Please check the section ‘Applicants who do not meet the subject requirements’ to see how you may be able to address any subject deficiencies.
Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma
You meet the general admission requirements to Maastricht University if you have a non-Dutch diploma that is equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma. Please see the list below for the most common international diplomas:
Non-Dutch diplomas equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma 2026-2027
If your diploma is not in the list, it will be evaluated by UM during the application process.
Additional subject requirements: mathematics (calculus), biology, chemistry
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, you must meet the additional subject requirements in mathematics (calculus), biology and chemistry to qualify for the bachelor's programme in Sustainable Bioscience. The subject requirements for the most common diplomas are listed here:
Additional subject requirements 2026-2027
If your diploma is not listed or you have not taken the courses listed, UM will assess whether you have sufficient knowledge of the required subjects. As part of this process, you may be asked to provide additional proof of subject proficiency and/or to complete courses or exams to address any deficiencies.
Applicants who do not meet the subject requirements
If you have a VWO diploma or an international equivalent, but Maastricht University determines during the application process that you do not meet the additional subject requirements, you will be informed of this in the MyApplication portal. You will also be informed if you are eligible to take courses and/or exams to eliminate any deficiencies. In that case, you can do so at the following institutes:
Mathematics (Calculus / Wiskunde B)
- CCVX (Wiskunde B)
- Boswell-Beta (Wiskunde B)
- OMPT (OMPT-B min. score 70% or OMPT-D min. score 60%)
Biology or Chemistry
- CCVX
- Boswell-Beta: Biology or Chemistry
- German students can also opt to complete the Vorsemester at the Rheinische Bildungszentrum in Cologne for deficiencies in Biology or Chemistry
If you are proficient in Dutch, you can also eliminate subject deficiencies by obtaining 'vwo-deelcertificaten'.
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 who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country (handling fee)
Applicants for this study programme who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country will have to pay a handling fee. More information on this handling fee and how to arrange this payment can be found on the handling fee page.
Documents required for the 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 photo
This photo 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 certified copy of your diploma if you have already obtained it.
Documents that might be required depending on your academic background
- Proof of proficiency in subjects with evidence of additional courses or tests in the required subjects (if applicable)
- Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English (if applicable)
Answer the questions concerning language requirements under ‘Language requirements for English-language bachelor’s 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 applicable)
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
It's important to us at UM that you choose a study programme and learning environment that suit you well and in which you can be successful. This is why we offer a matching procedure to help you determine whether your expectations match the requirements of the programme. You can participate in the matching procedure for this programme either before or after applying.
The Matching Procedure includes a short questionnaire and a meet and greet with a member of our academic staff. This is designed to help you get a better idea of what the study programme is like.
After the meet and greet, we’ll give you a recommendation on whether we think the programme is a good fit for you. It’s entirely up to you whether you choose to follow this advice.
Binding Study Advice
This study programme has a Binding Study Advice. This means that in your first year of the programme, you must obtain a minimum of 45 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.
Credit transfer
If you have studied at a university or a university of applied sciences before, you may qualify for exemptions up to a maximum of 30 ECTS. This means you can use the results you obtained elsewhere for your study programme at Maastricht University.
The Board of Examiners will determine whether this is possible in your case. They will compare the content and level of your previous education with the course or subject for which you are requesting an exemption. To make use of this possibility, you must submit an exemption request to the study programme’s Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners will only consider an exemption request when you are enrolled in the study programme.