Admission requirements

For the research master’s programme European Studies enrolment takes place on the basis of your quality and suitability. For this your motivation, prior qualifications and your (professional) experience are important.

Besides the general requirements:

A recent passport picture
A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript and a copy of your certified diploma

All candidates should also meet the additional requirements:

submit proof of a bachelor's or master's degree,
submit your curriculum vitae,
write a letter of motivation,
submit two writing samples,
demonstrate proficiency in English.

Please check below for more information about additional requirements.

Upload the requested documents via the My UM portal

Only complete applications will be reviewed. All documents should be in English.

Graduates from a relevant university bachelor's programme

You are eligible for admission if you have graduated in a relevant bachelor's degree in: European Studies, Social or Political Science, History, Economics, International Relations, Law, or a similar field. Provided that the Bachelor’s programme included sufficient Europe-oriented component.

You must have strong academic abilities, not be afraid to work hard, and have a keen interest to pursue research in the field of European integration.

Please note. There are additional requirements when applying for the double degree track.

Additional requirements

1. Submit proof of a bachelor's or master's degree

All candidates must provide proof of a bachelor's or master's degree.

2. Submit your curriculum vitae

All candidates must provide a cv. Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.

3. Write a letter of motivation

Address the following subjects:

Why are you interested in the Research Master European Studies at Maastricht University?
Which of the following three themes you are most interested in: 1) the history of the European integration process; 2) governance and representation in the European Union; 3) Europe and the world (see here for a description of these themes). Please give examples of research questions that appeal to you within these themes
What kind of training have you had so far in research methods? Are you most experienced and/or interested in qualitative or quantitative research methods?
What are your plans in year 2 of the Research Master? Please indicate if you are interested in the double degree (with Cologne University), the research internship or the exchange abroad, and briefly explain why.

4. Submit two writing samples

Provide proof of sufficient academic writing/research skills. The Admission Board asks the applicant to submit: an academic paper, and/or a thesis from a university Bachelor’s programme (written by applicant in the language of the chosen programme), and/or an essay on a topic specified by the Admission Board (written by applicant in the language of the chosen programme).

5. Demonstrate proficiency in English

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. A minimum level corresponding to academic IELTS 7.0 (minimum writing score 6.5) is required for this study programme.

You automatically meet the language requirements for this study programme if one or more of the following conditions apply:

You have completed a bachelor’s or master’s study programme where the language of instruction is English
You have obtained a US high school diploma, UK GCE A-levels or an International or European Baccalaureate
You have completed a Dutch-taught programme at a university of applied sciences in the Netherlands (HBO) and are able to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English, for example by English taught courses, internships or work experience in an English environment.

If none of these conditions apply, you can submit one of the following language test certificates. If you already have a language test certificate, we strongly recommend that you submit this certificate as part of your application.

IELTS, minimum score 7.0 (minimum writing score 6.5)
TOEFL Paper-based test, minimum score 600
TOEFL Internet test, minimum score 100 (writing minimum score 25)
TOEIC listening and reading 780
TOEIC speaking and writing 350 (writing minimum score 165)
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) Grade C (scale 180-184)
Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) Grade A (scale 180-184)
Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) Grade B (scale 176-179)
or similar certification

Please note that UM can reject your admission or set additional requirements when there are reasonable doubts about your English proficiency.

Additional requirements when applying for
the double degree track

If you wish to enrol in the double degree track, you need to indicate this in your motivation letter when applying (please explicitly mention if you intend to pursue a double degree and briefly explain why). Your application will be assessed by the Boards of Admissions of both Maastricht University and the University of Cologne.

Deadline for application is 15 May 2019. The deadline for students who have required their bachelor’s degree outside of Germany and not at Maastricht University need to apply additionally via uni-assist online as well as via post until 30 April. They charge a handling fee of 75€. You can apply here for the Double Degree.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees for the Double Degree Programme

Year one

In year one you have to pay the regular UM tuition fee. You are enrolled at UM but also at the University of Cologne, though no tuition fees are charged in Cologne.

However, all students of the University of Cologne must pay a social contribution of approximately € 270 per semester. This is not a tuition fee but a solidarity payment. It also includes the cost of the semester ticket for free public transportation.

If you are not interested in using the German’s transportation system, you can get back a part of the money for the semester ticket (approximately €170 euros per semester). The request for the reimbursement of the money for the semester ticket is only in the first year and has to be done within four weeks after the beginning of the lectures of the University of Cologne.

Year two

In year two you have to pay the regular tuition fee at University of Cologne. You are enrolled at the University of Cologne. You do not need to register at Maastricht University at the start of the academic year. However, in order to graduate at Maastricht University, you need to register for the month of August only and will have to pay 1/12 of the applicable tuition fee.

The admissions office of the UM will contact you in May of your second year to inform you on the registration procedure at UM.

For questions please contact masteroffice-fasos[at]maastrichtuniversity[dot]nl

Non-EEA students must pay a €100 handling fee

Non-EEA students who apply for this master's programme will have to pay a handling fee. Your application will not be taken into consideration without the required fee of €100 (excl. bank costs) which you will have to pay when you apply.
The handling fee is to cover certain administrative costs in relation to your application.