Excellence and honours programmes
For bachelor's and master's students who want more and can do more, Maastricht University offers a number of different excellence and honours programmes. Some of these are unique programmes offered only to students of a specific faculty. Other programmes are offered to all UM bachelor’s or master’s students. The university also has three Honours Colleges that offer selective bachelor's programmes for talented and motivated students who want the freedom to build an individualised academic profile.
Are you interested in an excellence or honours programme? Then you know that participation puts you a step ahead. But you also know that you need excellent academic performance and will spend many hours in addition to your regular studies on fascinating lectures, workshops and research.
Fast Facts
- you distinguish yourself as a top student
- you broaden and deepen your knowledge
- you learn valuable skills and competenties
- you gain work and/or research experience
Bachelor's programmes offered by Honours Colleges
University College Maastricht
- open curriculum where you choose from more than 150 courses
- #1 bachelor’s programme in the Netherlands
- graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts diploma
Maastricht Science Programme
- freedom to choose: 150 ECTS credits
- guidance from academic advisor
- Problem-Based and Research-Based Learning
- lab access at Brightlands Chemelot Campus
University College Venlo
- small-scale and personal
- international academic community
- emphasis on developing your academic and professional skills
- graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts diploma
Faculty-specific honours programmes for bachelor's students
Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering
- gain work and/or research experience
- 36 or 21 additional ECTS credits
- receive a special honours certificate
- participation and grade included in your transcript
Faculty of Law
- 36 additional ECTS credits
- many academic and extra-curricular activities
- specialise in Law in Practice or Legal Research
- supported by a mentoring and portfolio programme
School of Business and Economics
- personal academic advisor
- 30 additional ECTS credits
- a special honours certificate
- recommendation letter upon request
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
- broaden and deepen your knowledge
- develop your competencies and skills
- a special honours certificate
- recommendation letter upon request
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
- 18 additional ECTS credits
- a special honours certificate
- recommendation letter upon request
- only 20 students admitted each year
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- 25 additional ECTS credits
- a special honours certificate
- recommendation letter upon request
- only for the 5% best performing students
University-wide excellence programme for bachelor's students
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.
University-wide honours programme for master's students
PREMIUM honours programme
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real-world experience during your studies? The PREMIUM honours programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you’ll spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO or educational institution. You'll also work on a personal development plan, receive intensive individual coaching and attend master classes and workshops. All of this will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.
Are you up for the PREMIUM challenge?