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 International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology for the academic year 2026-2027. Questions about the admission procedure or requirements? Contact us via fpn-jointmasterwop@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Non-EU students: also check the study progress requirements.
- 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.
Application deadlines
The International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies applying for a start 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 March 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for completing the entire application process for all applicants (both applicants who have an 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 need to apply for a visa or residence permit |
| 1 August 2026 | Strongly recommended deadline for paying the tuition fee |
| 31 Augustus 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 International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.
Admission is limited to those with at least a university bachelor's degree in Psychology or a university bachelor’s degree from an equivalent programme that meets similar achievement levels as determined by the Joint Board of Admissions.
The bachelor’s programme should include at least 70 European Credits in psychology subjects and at least 30 European Credits in research methods and statistics.
Note that the bachelor’s degree must have been obtained before 1 September 2026.
If you are uncertain whether your bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a Dutch university bachelor’s degree you are strongly advised to submit a request via the NUFFIC website to have this checked prior to submitting your application.
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.
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 need to complete a number of tasks for which you will often have to upload documents in the MyApplication portal. The list below gives you an insight into what documents you will (and might) need to prepare.
Please note:
- The documents must be uploaded in the MyApplication portal before the application deadline.
- Make sure to upload the documents in MyApplication portal in PDF or Word format. Do not upload Zip files, as we cannnot open these files.
- 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.
- All documents must be in English.
Avoid last-minute application stress! Last-minute applications may delay the scheduling of a possible interview and the communication of your application outcome as well.
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’.
As a UM student you do not need to upload this document in the MyApplication portal unless your passport is not valid on 1 September 2026. In that case, you do have to upload a copy of your passport.
- A copy of your grades transcript and/or a copy of the diploma of your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree
If you have not graduated yet, you can upload the official grades transcript of your bachelor's and/or master’s- programme. This document should include all the courses of the entire bachelor’s and/or master’s- programme.
- A copy of your bachelor’s diploma
If you have not graduated yet, you can upload the official grades transcript of your bachelor's programme.
- A curriculum vitae
The CV form that needs to be filled in will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Upload CV’.
- A motivation letter
The motivational letter form that needs to be filled in will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Upload motivation letter’.
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 for English-language master’s programmes’ 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. - 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 to this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this in this section.
Admission process
The main steps in the admission procedure process involve: (1) the assessment of your application, which when positively evaluated will result in (2) an invitation for a test that might be followed by an interview, and (3) an email about your admission status (details below).
Assessment of your application
The Board of Admissions will carefully assess all complete applications. If your application is evaluated positively, you will be invited for a test. Depending on the outcome of the test, you might also be invited to an interview.
Test and interview
Applicants who meet the admission requirements will be invited for the second part of the selection procedure within four weeks after the application deadline.
Candidates will take an online test of basic knowledge in psychology, research methods and statistics. Based on the evaluation of the application documents and the test results, candidates may be directly offered a place in the study programme, directly rejected, or invited to an individual interview with members of the Joint Board of Admissions.
Based on all available information, the Joint Board of Admissions will assess the knowledge and skills level, attitude and motivation relevant to the programme that embraces the scientist-innovator model. The following selection criteria apply:
- motivation and willingness to acquire knowledge in the area of work and organisational psychology;
- motivation and ability to critically analyse the research base in the specific domain of work and organisational psychology;
- attitude and communication skills necessary for a future career in the relevant settings;
- motivation and ability to further scientific developments in the field of work and organisational psychology;
- openness to learning within different international environments;
- motivation and ability to follow this two-year programme, that involves living in three different European countries;
- excellent command of English.
Interviews and tests will be held online.
Selection outcome
The Joint Board of Admissions offers places according to the established ranking. Once the Joint Board of Admissions has decided whether an applicant qualifies for admission, candidates will be informed via email.