FAQ Admissions process - Master's programmes at SBE

Admission general

How can I apply for a programme at SBE?
You can register for a study programme via Studielink. In Studielink, you will have to indicate which programme you would like to register for.

If you are registered in a Dutch municipality, you can only register using your DigiD. If you do not yet have a DigiD, you will need to request one. If you do not (yet) live in the Netherlands, you still register via Studielink, but you will not be able to use DigiD. Instead, you create a Studielink account yourself and UM will check your personal details.
What are the master's application deadlines?
Applications for the September 2024 intake:
- Up to and including 1 May 2024 (for students from non-EU/EEA countries)
- Up to and including 1 June 2024 (for students from EU/EEA countries)
How does the application process work?
Everyone with a bachelor’s degree (also from a university of applied sciences) can apply for the master’s programmes. Provided that you submit a complete file with all the minimum required scores, your file will be assessed by the Board of Admissions. The Board of Admissions evaluates the quality of your application by looking at your GMAT score, IELTS/TOEFL score (if applicable), Grade Point Average, the level of statistics and mathematics and at how well your bachelor’s programme corresponds with the MSc programme. Besides this, they look at your motivation, relevant work experience, international experience and extra-curricular activities. Based on this information the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the programme or not.

Please find the specific requirements under the section 'requirements per programme' of this FAQ.

I submitted my application before the application deadline. When can I expect to receive a decision from the Board of Admission?
Assessment of your file happens on a rolling basis. This means that, once you submit a complete file with all the minimum required scores, it will be presented to the Board of Admission. We will not wait until the deadline before we present your file to the Board. You will receive a decision within 2-4 weeks after completion of your file.
Do you offer pre-master programmes?
Yes, we offer a number of pre-master's programmes aimed at our master's programmes:
I would like to withdraw my application. What should I do?
If you are sure you will not further pursue your application, we kindly advise you to withdraw your application via Studielink.
Can I defer my place?
Deferments are possible for the same master’s programme. If you are admissible to a master’s programme, your admission for that programme will remain valid for one year. If you want to apply for the next starting moment, you will again need to submit an application via Studielink and the MyApplication portal. We will be able to process the decision then, you do not need to upload the documents again.

Admission requirements

Which documents do I need to submit for my application?
The documents you need to submit depend on the programme you wish to apply for, your previous education and your nationality.

Please check the requirements per programme via the links below:

Admission requirements per programme
Business Intelligence and Smart Services
Digital Business and Economics
Econometrics and Operations Research
Economics and Financial Research
Economics
Economics and Strategy in Emerging Markets
Financial Economics
Global Supply Chain Management and Change (in Venlo)
Human Decision Science
International Business (12 specialisations) Accounting and Business Information Technology Accounting and Control (part-time / in Dutch) Managerial Decision-Making and Control Entrepreneurship & Business Development Strategic Corporate Finance Information Management and Business Intelligence Marketing-Finance Organisation: Management, Change and Consultancy Strategic Marketing Strategy and Innovation Supply Chain Management Sustainable Finance
Learning and Development in Organisations
Public Policy and Human Development (with the United Nations University)
Sustainability Science, Policy and Society

Do I need to take a language proficiency test?
Please check this page for more information regarding language proficiency test and whether you need to take one.
Which documents need to be translated and who is allowed to do this?
During the application procedure, official documents such as a diploma and transcript, must be submitted in English or Dutch. If the original document is not in English or Dutch, you can ask your university for a translation or translate it yourself. All other documents such as a cv, motivation letter, and description of your statistic courses need to be in English. As soon as you are admitted to the programme, official documents need to be translated by a sworn translator if the original document is not in English, Dutch, German or French.
What is a certified copy of my diploma?
A certified copy is a photocopy bearing an original stamp and an original signature from your secondary school or university. The stamp indicates that it is a genuine copy of the original diploma/grades transcript.
More information

I will receive my bachelor’s diploma after the start of the master’s programme at UM, so I cannot send a certified hardcopy of my diploma. What should I do?
If you cannot submit your actual degree certificate yet, a graduation statement issued by your university will also be sufficient, as long as we receive it by 31 January/August at the very latest. Without proof of graduation from the bachelor’s programme, you will not be allowed to start the master’s programme.

Uploading documents

Where do I have to upload my documents?
Please upload your documents via the MyApplication portal.
Can I delete or replace documents that I have uploaded in the MyApplication portal?
Unfortunately, you cannot delete documents that you have uploaded. If you wish to replace a document, please upload the new document to the corresponding task. We will take the most recent version of the document into account and disregard the other one.
Can I submit my documents by post?
Documents received by post will not be processed. All supporting documents should be uploaded to your application through the MyApplication portal.
I lost my log on details. Who can I contact?
If you experience problems login in the MyApplication portal, please contact our ICTS service desk:
Telephone number: +31 (0)43 388 55 55
Mail address: servicedesk-ICTS@maastrichtuniversity.nl
You can contact them from Monday to Friday between 08.00 -17.00 hours.

GMAT/GRE test and Proof of Academic Capabilities

What is the GMAT/GRE test?
The GMAT and GRE tests are computer adaptive tests, which assesses a person’s quantitative, analytical and writing skills in standard written English in preparation for being admitted into a graduate programme. You may decide which of the two tests you take. If you take the GRE test, please recalculate your score to GMAT scores via the conversion tool.
Tip! Plan to take your exam well before the application deadline. It can take some time before we receive the official results.
Can I get a GMAT exemption?*
An exemption for the GMAT test is only possible for students with a specific Dutch or Flemish bachelor’s degree (NVAO accredited) or students with a bachelor’s degree from an AACSB or EQUIS accredited educational institute. Please check this overview of AACSB and EQUIS accredited educational institutes. Is your university not mentioned on this list? In that case, a GMAT test is a strict requirement for which no exemptions are possible. In case your educational institute is mentioned on this list, you can fill out the form Proof of Academic Capabilities. This is an alternative for the GMAT/GRE test.
What documents should I upload in the Proof of Academic Capabilities?
The Proof of Academic Capabilities consists of analytical, quantitative and verbal skills. You have to provide evidence for each of these three skills. Examples of proof are: list of grades, project reports, assignments, bachelor thesis, reports made during your professional career. Insert all your proof into the standard template 'Proof of Academic Capabilities' and insert all your proof into the file and upload it as one PDF-file to the MyApplication portal.
Please note that submitting proof of academic capabilities instead of a GMAT or GRE test is only optional for students with a Dutch bachelor’s degree, an NVAO-accredited bachelor's degree or an AACSB or EQUIS accredited bachelor’s degree.
I have uploaded the score report with sufficient test results from my GMAT test, but it is not approved by the admissions office. What is wrong with it?
We do not accept score reports that you send to us yourself. Every applicant must request the test centre to send an official score report directly to Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics (GMAT: go to www.mba.com and use code 2WH-4N-65, GRE: go to www.ets.org and use code 7102).
What is the minimum required score for the GMAT test?
The minimum required GMAT score depends on the master’s programme you are applying for. Please find the specific requirements under the section 'Admission requirements' of your programme of choice.
Do I have to participate in all sections from the GMAT test?
The GMAT test consists of four parts: Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Integrated Reasoning. The Integrated Reasoning section on the GMAT is not compulsory (yet), but we advise you to submit a complete test result, including this section of the GMAT.
Is a GMAT necessary for students with one (or more) master’s degree?
If you have one (or more) master’s degrees, a GMAT is (in most cases) necessary as well. However, if your master’s programme was taught at a Dutch or an AACSB, EQUIS or NVAO accredited education institute, a GMAT or GRE test is not necessary. You can upload the Proof of Academic Capabilities instead of a GMAT or GRE test.

Where can I register for the GMAT or GRE exam?
The GMAT exam is an administered year-round and on demand at test centres around the world. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to take the exam, your first step is to register for an account at the GMAT website, www.mba.com. For more information regarding the GRE test, please check: www.ets.org.

Cost and financial aid

What scholarships/financial aid do you offer?
Please find more information concerning scholarship possibilities at Maastricht University. Beside a scholarship application, you will need to apply and get admitted for a master’s programme. The application process for a master’s programme is separate from the application process for a scholarship. Please note that the number of scholarships is very limited.

Do I have to pay the handling fee?
Maastricht University requires a handling fee for students who received their prior education in a non-EU/EEA country. Please check if you qualify for an exemption.

The handling fee is to cover certain administrative costs in relation to your application. Your application will not be taken into consideration without the required fee of €100 (excl. bank costs) which you have to pay when you apply. Of course you also need to pay your tuition fees when admitted to your programme.

Which tuition fee apply to me?
The statutory fee usually applies to student from an EU/EEA country who have not already obtained a Master's degree in the Netherlands. The institutional fee usually applies for students from a non-EU/EEA country;
More information about tuition fees.

Other

Is it possible to combine two specialisations from the master’s programme International Business?
It is possible to combine/follow to IB specialisations. Normally, students start with one master’s programme, then after 6 months submit an application via Studielink for the second specialisation and follow the courses/skills belonging to this programme. Regarding the master’s thesis, you can request to write a combined thesis at the Board of Examiners. Also, you might encounter problems with conflicting schedules/exams. It is your own responsibility to make sure everything goes as planned.
I have another question. Who can I contact?
Please feel free to email us at masteradmissions-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

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