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 European Law School master's programme for the academic year 2026-2027.
For information on the current year, see the admission requirements for the academic year 2025-2026.
Deadlines for application
The European Law School master's programme starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2026.
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| 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 May 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 June 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process if you have an EU/EEA or Switzerland 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.
Are you a non-EU/EEA nationality 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 European Law School master's programme depend on your previous education.
In principle you qualify for admission if one of the following situations applies to you:
| Bachelor's/Master's degree | Qualification | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| English Bachelor/Master of Laws from Maastricht University | You qualify for admission | - |
| Dutch Bachelor/Master of Laws from Maastricht University | You qualify for admission if you meet the language requirement | Check below for English requirement |
| Pre-master Rechten from Maastricht University* | You qualify for admission if you meet the language requirement | Check below for English requirement |
| Academic Dutch Bachelor/Master of Laws | You qualify for admission if you meet the language requirement | Check below for English requirement |
| Academic Non-Dutch Bachelor/Master of Laws from a (research) university | You will be assessed by the Board of Admissions | - Degree is comparable in level with the Dutch Degree - Check below for English requirement |
| Bachelor of Arts European Studies from Maastricht University | You qualify for admission if you meet the additional requirements | - Minimum of 30 EC obtained in Law courses - OR completed the courses EUS2008 & EUS2010 - Check below for English requirement |
| Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science from University College Maastricht | You qualify for admission if you meet the additional requirements | - Minimum of 30 EC obtained in Law courses - Check below for English requirement |
| Bachelor of Laws International and European Law from the Hague University of Applied Sciences | You qualify for admission if you meet the additional requirements | - Minimum of overall GPA of 7.0 - Check below for English requirement |
| Pre-master Rechten from another Dutch university | You will be assessed by the Board of Admissions | Check below for English requirement |
| Other academic bachelor's or master's degree from a (research) university in a related field | You will be assessed by the Board of Admissions | - Degree is comparable in level with the Dutch Degree - Check below for English requirement |
* Pre-master Rechten in combination with an English master's degree does not qualify for 'civiel effect'
Are you unsure whether you qualify for admission? Then we recommend that you apply via Studielink and complete your tasks in the MyApplication portal, so that the Board of Admissions can assess your application.
Work experience is only taken into account in very rare cases when assessing your eligibility for admission. If you think your work experience is relevant and covers the set admission requirements, you must provide evidence of this in your application through your motivation letter and upload an explicit CV.
Important: The above provides an indication as to whether you qualify for admission, not a guarantee.
Pre-master's in Rechten
Are you completing a HBO Rechten programme with a minimum of 80 EC in Dutch Law and you want access to this master’s programme at the Faculty of Law? This is possible if you successfully complete the pre-master’s in Rechten.
Read more about the pre-master's in Rechten at Maastricht University
Additional requirements
Language requirements for English-language master's 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.
There are several ways to prove your English proficiency:
- You hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in which English was the sole language of instruction.
- During your bachelor’s or master’s degree, you successfully completed English-taught courses. The Board of Admissions will decide if the number of English-taught courses you completed is sufficient.
- With language test certificates (not older than 2 years):
- Academic IELTS: minimum overall score 6.5 and writing 6.5, or minimum overall score 7
- TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score 90 and writing 25, or minimum overall score 100
- TOEIC listening and reading: 720; speaking and writing: 310
- Cambridge Advanced C1: Grade C (scale 180-184); First: Grade A (scale 180-184)
- TOEFL Paper-delivered Test: Reading: 20-30; Listening: 20-30; Writing: 20-30 (We recommend taking one of the other tests listed above, as speaking skills are not assessed in this TOEFL test)
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 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.
Please note: All documents must be in Dutch, English or German.
Required documents for all applicants to this study programme
- A recent portrait photo*
This picture 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 copy of your diploma if you have obtained it.
If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor's programme.
- Letter of motivation
All candidates must write a well-prepared and structured letter of motivation for this specific master’s programme. The letter should explain your motivation for choosing this specific master’s programme. It should also include an overview of what you intend to learn and how this programme fits into your future professional plans. The letter must be dated and addressed to the Board of Admissions of the Faculty of Law.
* For current UM students it is not necessary to upload a recent portrait photo in the MyApplication portal.
** For current UM students it is not necessary to upload this document in the MyApplication portal unless your passport will not be valid on 1 September 2026. In that case, a specific task to upload a copy of your passport will appear in the MyApplication portal.
Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background
- Documents that demonstrate your proficiency in English
Check the language requirements under ‘Language requirements for English-language master’s programmes’ on this webpage to find out which documents you can use to prove your proficiency.
If English was the sole language of instruction for your bachelor’s or master’s degree, please upload a grades transcript, diploma supplement or statement from your university mentioning the language of instruction.
If you completed English-taught courses (content courses, not language courses), please highlight them on your grades transcript.
- 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 we assess your application
For this master's programme selection takes place on the basis of your quality and suitability. For this, your motivation and your academic experience are important.
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. We strive to assess your application and communicate the result to you within three to four weeks.