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 master's programme in Economic and Financial Research for the academic year 2027-2028.
If you need it, you can still consult the admission requirements for the previous academic year: 2026–2027
Questions?
Read the FAQ for master's applicants
Contact us via masteradmissions-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Application deadlines
Tip: if you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend using landscape mode.
| Dates for a start in September 2027 | What you need to know about these dates |
|---|---|
| As soon as possible after 1 October 2026 | Apply via Studielink** (open for applications for the academic year 2027-2028 from 1 October) |
| 1 May 2027* | Deadline for applicants with a non-EU/EEA nationality to:
Note: In most cases, you will need a visa and/or residence permit |
| 1 June 2027* | Deadline for applicants with an EU/EEA or Swiss nationality to:
|
| 1 August 2027 | Strongly recommended deadline for paying the tuition fee |
| 31 August 2027* | Deadline for completing all enrolment tasks (‘Enter tuition payment details’, ‘Send certified copy of diploma’, ‘Update passport / ID’ (if applicable)) in the MyApplication portal*** Note: if you need a visa and/or residence permit, you must complete your visa application by an earlier date. |
* All deadlines are 23:59 Central European Time on the date mentioned.
**Studielink is the national registration system for higher education
***The MyApplication portal is Maastricht University’s application and enrolment platform.
Visa/residence permit for study
Are you a non-EU/EEA national requiring a visa/residence permit for study? Click here for more information
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 your 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
Required documents based on your educational background
Dutch university diploma
If you have a bachelor’s diploma from a Dutch university, you qualify for admission. The following documents are required for your application:
- Grades transcript of your bachelor’s programme
Upload an official grades transcript, signed and stamped by your university, plus a translation if the original is not in English. - Copy of your diploma (if obtained)
- Curriculum vitae
List your education, relevant extracurricular activities, internships and (professional) experience. - Motivation letter
Provide good arguments for why you want to do this master’s programme at Maastricht University and why you expect that you can successfully complete the programme. This letter should be about 1 or 2 pages long. - Two letters of recommendation
Provide two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic staff members from your university. - Two names of teaching staff members (only for UM students)
Provide two names of teaching staff members who supervised or taught you during the bachelor's programme. If you are a UM student, you do not need to provide two letters of recommendation. - Proof of academic capabilities
Demonstrate your academic capabilities by choosing one of the options below:- Option 1: Submit a portfolio. Please use the standard template.
- Option 2: GMAT Exam with a test score of 515 or higher.
Option 3:
GMAT Exam (old version) with a total score of 550 or higher and a minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Assessment.
- Option 4: GRE test. Please check the required total score on the GRE admissions table. The minimum required Analytical Writing Assessment score is 3.5.
More information about the GMAT/GRE requirement
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
In the MyApplication portal, you will find more information about these tasks.
International AACSB or EQUIS accredited diploma
If you are an international student with a bachelor's diploma from a university or university of applied sciences, you qualify for admission. If your study programme is AACSB or EQUIS accredited*, you need to provide proof of this (e.g. an official transcript of grades). Please check whether your study programme is AACSB or EQUIS accredited on the AACSB and EQUIS websites:
Please find all AACSB-accredited schools and faculties here
Please find all EQUIS-accredited schools and faculties here
* Please note that a study programme must be part of the university's accredited school or faculty as stated on the AACSB and EQUIS websites in order to be considered an AACSB or EQUIS accredited programme. Please note that the burden of proof rests with the applicant.
The following documents are required for your application:
- Grades transcript of your bachelor’s programme
Upload an official grades transcript, signed and stamped by your university, plus a translation if the original is not in English. - Copy of your diploma (if obtained)
- Curriculum vitae
List your education, relevant extracurricular activities, internships and (professional) experience. - Motivation letter
Provide good arguments for why you want to do this master’s programme at Maastricht University and why you expect that you can successfully complete the programme. This letter should be about 1 or 2 pages long. - Two letters of recommendation
Provide two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic staff members from your university. - Proof of academic capabilities
Demonstrate your academic capabilities by choosing one of the options below:- Option 1: Submit a portfolio. Please use the standard template.
- Option 2: GMAT Exam with a test score of 515 or higher.
Option 3:
GMAT Exam (old version) with a total score of 550 or higher and a minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Assessment.
Option 4: GRE test. Please check the required total score on the GRE admissions table. The minimum required Analytical Writing Assessment score is 3.5.
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
- 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.
In addition:
- 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. - Students with a non-EU/EEA nationality need to submit proof of English proficiency.
In the MyApplication portal, you will find more information about these tasks.
International diploma (non-AACSB or EQUIS accredited)
If you are an international student with a bachelor's diploma from a university, you qualify for admission. The following documents are required for your application:
- Grades transcript of your bachelor’s programme
Upload an official grades transcript, signed and stamped by your university, plus a translation if the original is not in English. - Copy of your diploma (if obtained)
- Curriculum vitae
List your education, relevant extracurricular activities, internships and (professional) experience. - Motivation letter
Provide good arguments for why you want to do this master’s programme at Maastricht University and why you expect that you can successfully complete the programme. This letter should be about 1 or 2 pages long. - Two letters of recommendation
Provide two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic staff members from your university. - Proof of academic capabilities
Demonstrate your academic capabilities by choosing one of the options below:- Option 1: GMAT Exam with a test score of 515 or higher.
Option 2:
GMAT Exam (old version) with a total score of 550 or higher and a minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Assessment.
Option 3: GRE test. Please check the required total score on the GRE admissions table. The minimum required Analytical Writing Assessment score is 3.5.
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
- 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.
In addition:
- 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. - Students with a non-EU/EEA nationality need to submit proof of English proficiency.
In the MyApplication portal, you will find more information about these tasks.
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.
Only complete applications, including all required documents and minimum required scores (if applicable), submitted before the applicable application deadline, will be presented to the Board of Admission for assessment.
The Board of Admission evaluates your application by looking at your GMAT, GRE, or portfolio (if applicable), your performance in your prior education and at how well your prior education corresponds with the master's programme. Besides this, the Board looks at your motivation, relevant (professional) experience, international experience and extra-curricular activities. Based on this information, the Board of Admission will decide whether you can be admitted to the programme or not.
Assessment happens on a rolling basis. This means that, once your application is complete (including all required documents and minimum required scores), it will be presented to the Board of Admission. We aim to provide you with a decision within 2-4 weeks after your application has been presented to the Board of Admission.