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,
write a letter of motivation,
submit a writing sample,
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.

Please note: The information on this page is about academic year 2019/20. Open the pdf below for the requirements of academic year 2018/19.
Admission requirements 2018/19

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. Write a letter of motivation

All candidates must write a letter of motivation. Please provide good arguments about why you want to do this master's programme at Maastricht University and why you believe that you can successfully complete the programme.

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?

3. Submit a writing sample

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

4. Demonstrate proficiency in English

Language requirements for English-language master programmes

In this study programme English is the language of instruction, therefore you have to be proficient in the English language. A minimum level corresponding to academic IELTS 6.5 is required for this study programme.

In case one or more of the conditions below applies to you, you automatically fulfill to the language requirement for this study programme:

English is your native language*
You have completed your preparatory training in a country where English is the national language and language of instruction in education (such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States)
You have completed a WO study programme in the Netherlands
You have completed an English-language HBO or WO study programme
You have completed an International or European Baccalaureate (IB)
You can adhere to the language requirement in a different way, for example by obtaining an IELTS, a TOEFL-, TOEIC or a Cambridge certificate (or similar certification).
Are you a student with a non-EER degree and you want to study in an English-language master programme? Then the guidelines of the Code of Conduct International Student apply. The Code of Conduct requires a language test.

* Definition of a native speaker:
a) someone who has followed education in English during 6 (or more) of his formative years (between 6 and 18 years old)
b) Someone who has completed a study in English language/literature (bachelor).

If UM, however, has reasonable doubts about your language skills, UM can set additional requirements to demonstrate the required language level.

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. Your application will be assessed by the Boards of Admissions of both Maastricht University and the University of Cologne.

If you apply for the Double Degree, you should specialise in either research theme 2 (“Governance and Representation in Europe”) or research theme 3 (“Europe and the World”).

Please complete the Double Degree form and upload it in MyUM under 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.

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 before 30 April. They charge a handling fee of 75€.

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 fasos-masteroffice[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.