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European Studies (Research)

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:

  1. submit proof of a bachelor's or master's degree,
  2. submit your curriculum vitae,
  3. write a letter of motivation,
  4. submit two writing samples,
  5. 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.
 

Admission requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the possible difficulties concerning finishing your bachelor’s degree during the COVID-19 pandemic, UM will be offering leniency regarding some of the diploma requirements to the master’s programmes. The Dutch government is allowing to admit students to a master's programme for the 2020-2021 academic year under certain conditions, even if you have not yet completed your bachelor's programme. ​This decision has been made to limit study delays in the transition from bachelor's to master’s programmes as much as possible.

For UM, it is of paramount importance that these types of alternatives must remain feasible and workable from the perspective of the student and of the programme. In its consideration, UM is also taking into account the large proportion of master's students from abroad. Please note that all other admission requirements are still in place.

Check the UM general requirements for starting a master’s programme in September. Please make sure to regularly check the website for updates, as the precise procedure for students who wish to make use of conditional admission is still being worked out at the moment.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Master Admissions Office via masteroffice-fasos[at]maastrichtuniversity[dot]nl.

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.

Answer the questions below to find out if you meet the language requirements.

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). You need to submit an application additionally at the University of Cologne. Only candidates who submitted an application and received admission to Maastricht University and University of Cologne, can be admitted in the double degree track.

Deadline for application at the online application portal of the University of Cologne is 15 May 2020. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree acquired outside of Germany and not from Maastricht University must additionally apply via uni-assist online as well and send their documents as a hard copy until 30 April 2020 (date of receipt). Uni-assist charges a handling fee of €75. Please read detailed information on the application at the University of Cologne here.

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 € 280 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 €185 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.         

Read more about the handling fee