International diploma requirements for UM bachelor's programmes 2025-2026

If you have a non-Dutch diploma, Maastricht University needs to assess whether this diploma is equivalent to the Dutch pre-university education (VWO diploma). The UM Admissions department has drawn up a list of the most common non-Dutch diplomas that meet the minimum admission requirements. 

Important notes: 

  • Maastricht University reserves the right to give a binding judgement regarding your prior education.
  • Diplomas not listed will be assessed individually.
  • Your request for admission with a foreign diploma will only be considered after you have submitted a complete online application, including uploading all required documents in the MyApplication portal and paying the handling fee if this is required.
  • In case your secondary school offers a combination of general/academic subjects and vocational subjects we will assess your application individually. It is important to note that your curriculum should be predominantly academic; this means that the curriculum  must  contain more  academic  subjects than  vocational  subjects. 

     

International diplomas that can be obtained in multiple countries

Diplomas from individual countries: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - P - R - S - T - U - V - Z

 

International diplomas that can be obtained in multiple countries

International Baccalaureate
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma, at least 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects 
European Baccalaureate
  • European Baccalaureate 
Cambridge Assessment International Examination, Pearson Edexcel International or OxfordAQA International
  • 3 International A-Levels* in academic subjects with grade A, B or C + 3 GCSE’s.  The GCSE’s need to be taken in 3 other subjects than the A-levels.
  • Cambridge Pre-University Diploma
  • Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) with 3 A-levels in academic subjects with grades A, B or C 


* The following A-Levels are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Divinity, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Law, (Further) Mathematics), Marine Science, Modern Languages, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. A-levels that are not listed will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Applicants who apply with International A-Levels are requested to provide a clear overview of the A-Levels they are taking. 

AS-Levels can not be used to compensate for missing A-Level(s) with grade A, B or C 

United States High School Diploma from an international school outside the USA
  • United States High School Diploma (obtained outside the USA*) with 4 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 3 issued by the College Board
  • United States High School Diploma (obtained outside the USA*) with 3 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 4 issued by the College Board
  • United States High School Diploma (obtained outside the USA*) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 


* Schools outside the USA offering an American High School programme must be accredited in the United States of America. 

Applicants who apply with a United States High School Diploma from an international school outside the USA in combination with AP-exams are requested to provide a clear overview of the AP-exams they will sit. Without the overview of your (to be taken) AP- exams, we are unable to review your application. 

Caribbean Territory
  • Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
  • CAPE Associate Degree 

Diplomas from individual countries

A

Albania
  • Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore 
Argentina
  • Título de Bachiller with an average grade >8 in the final year in one of the following streams:
    • Ciencias Sociales
    • Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades
    • Lenguas
    • Ciencias Naturales
    • Informática
  • Título de Bachiller + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Aruba
  • VWO-diploma
Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory: ACT Senior Secondary Certificate + ATAR >86
  • New South Wales: Higher School Certificate + ATAR >86
  • Northern Territory: Northern Territory Certificate of Education + ATAR >86
  • Queensland: Queensland Certificate of Education + ATAR>86 or OP 1-8
  • South Australia: South Australian Certificate of Education + ATAR >86
  • Tasmania: Qualifications Certificate + ATAR >86
  • Tasmania: Tasmanian Certificate of Education + ATAR >86
  • Victoria: Victorian Certificate of Education + ATAR >86
  • Western Australia: Western Australian Certificate of Education + ATAR >86 
Austria
  • Reifezeugnis / Reifeprüfungszeugnis from an Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule (AHS)
  • Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis from a Berufsbildende Höhere Schule (BHS) with sufficient general, academic subjects 

B

Belgium
  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs ASO doorstroomfinaliteit
  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs KSO/TSO doorstroomfinaliteit will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
  • Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur
  • Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts 

 
Applicants who apply with a Belgian high school diploma are requested to upload an overview of their school subjects, including the number of hours you have per subject per week. In case you have chosen a specific profile/study direction in high school, please make sure it is clear which profile/study direction you have chosen. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Diploma o položenom maturskom ispitu from a Gimnazija
  • Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi from a Gimnazija 
Brazil
  • Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Médio with an average grade > 8.0 in the final year & ENEM with an average result of >600
  • Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Médio + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
Bulgaria
  • Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with sufficient general, academic subjects 


Applicants who apply with a Bulgarian high school diploma are requested to upload an overview of their school subjects, including the number of hours you have per subject per week. In case you have chosen a specific profile/study direction in high school, please make sure it is clear which profile/study direction you have chosen. 

C

Canada
  • Alberta: High School Diploma with at least 100 credits and 5 academic 30-39 level courses
  • British Columbia: Certificate of Graduation with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic grade 12 courses
  • Manitoba: High School Graduation Diploma with an average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic 40S or 40U level courses
  • New Brunswick: High School Graduation Certificate with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic Grade 12 courses numbered 120, 121 or 122
  • Newfoundland & Labrador: Senior High School Graduation Diploma with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 6 academic grade 12 courses at the 3000 level
  • Northwest Territories: High School Diploma with at least 100 credits and 5 academic 30-39 level courses
  • Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma with an average of at least 80 percent in 5 Advanced or Academic grade 12 courses
  • Nunavut: High School Diploma with at least 100 credits and 5 academic 30-39 level courses
  • Ontario: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including 6 grade 12 University Preparation Courses (course codes ending on 4U), with an average score of 80%
  • Prince Edward Island: High School Graduation Certificate with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic grade 12 courses numbered 611 or 621
  • Quebec: Diplôme d’Etudes Collégiales (DEC) préuniversitaire or Certificate of Graduation with an overall average of at least 70 percent in 6 Grade 13 university- preparation level courses
  • Saskatchewan: Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 5 academic courses numbered 30
  • Yukon: Certificate of Graduation with an overall average of at least 80 percent in 4 academic grade 12 courses 
Chile
  • Licencia de Educación Media or Licencia de Enseñanza Media (humanístico- científica) with an average grade of 6 in the final year + Prueba de Transición 


When obtained before 2020, the Prueba de Transición can be replaced by the Prueba de Selección Universitaria (PSU) 

China
  • Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate + National University Entrance Exam (Gaokao) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university*


Bachelor programmes from a Double First Class, Project 211 or Project 985 university are considered of sufficient quality. Bachelor programmes from universities that are not part of the Double First Class, Project 211 of Project 985 categories, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Colombia
  • Bachiller Académico + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Croatia
  • Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi 
Curaçao
  • VWO-diploma 
Cyprus
  • Apolytirion Lykeio from a public school or accredited private school of the same type with an average final mark > 15 in one of the following specialisations:
    • Classical Studies and Humanities
    • Foreign Languages and European Studies
    • Economic Sciences
    • Natural Sciences / Life Sciences / Information Science / Technology 


Students attending an accredited private school (similar type or different type) or international school, following a curriculum from the United States of America, the United Kingdom or other country/curriculum are referred to the corresponding country in this list for the diploma requirements. 

Czech Republic
  • Vysvĕdčení o Maturitní Zkoušce obtained at a Gymnázium 

D

Denmark
  • Studentereksamenbevis
  • Bevis for Højere Forberedelseksamen 

E

Ecuador
  • Titulo de Bachiller en Ciencias + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Egypt
  • General Secondary Education Certificate + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
  • Al-Azhar Secondary School Certificate + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Estonia
  • Gümnaasiumi Lõputunnistus 

F

Finland
  • Ylioppilastutkintotodistus
  • Studentexamenbevis
  • Matriculation Examination Certificate 
France
  • Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général
  • Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général option International (OIB)
  • Diplôme du Baccalauréat Technologique 


Applicants who apply with a French high school diploma are requested to upload a statement mentioning which subjects they are taking as Spécialité-subjects, both in their Première and Terminale year. 

G

Georgia
  • General Education Diploma (Sruli Zogadi Ganatlebis Atestat) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Germany
  • Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife 
Ghana
  • West African Senior School Certificate with 6 subjects with grades between A1 and C6 + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 

Greece
  • Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou with a class grade point average >15 in the final year

H

Hong Kong
  • The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with a mark of 3-5 for the subjects English and Chinese and grades 2-5 for the subjects Mathematics, Liberal Studies and 2 electives (6 different subjects in total)
  • The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in 6 subjects with grades 3-5 or A-C + Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) with grades A-E 
Hungary
  • Gimnáziumi Érettségi Bizonyítvány 

I

Iceland
  • Stúdentspróf from a Menntaskóli 
India
  • Standard XII diploma (academic stream): All India Senior School Certificate with marks ranging from A (A1, A2) or B (B1) in 5 academic subjects*, issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Indian School Certificate with an average of 75% in 5 academic subjects*, issued by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)
  • Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate in at least 5 academic subjects*, with an overall average grade of 75% (A grade), issued by the Board of Intermediate Education
  • Migration Cum Transfer Certificate of the Senior Secondary School Examination from the NIOS with grades A, B or C in 5 relevant subjects* 


     

* Subject such as, but not limited to: General Studies, Physical & Health Education, Work Experience and Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service are not considered relevant/academic subjects. These do not count towards the required number of relevant/academic subjects.

Indonesia
  • Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar-Sekolah Menengah Umum Tingkat Atas (STTB-SMA) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Iran
  • Certificate of Completion of Upper Secondary School Studies + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Ireland
  • Leaving Certificate in 6 subjects of which at least 3 subjects at Higher Level. The Higher Level subjects must have a result between H1 and H5. 
Israel
  • Te’udat Bagrut 
Italy
  • Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato Conclusivo from the Liceo Classico / Linguistico / Scientifico / Scienze Umane 

J

Japan
  • Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (High School Certificate of Graduation) with an average grade > 4 in the final year 

K

Kazakhstan
  • Certificate of completed general secondary education + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
  • Nazarbayev Intellectual School (NIS) – Grade 12 Certificate 
Kenya
  • Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with A, B or C in at least 6 examination subjects + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Kosovo
  •  Diplomë Për Kryerjen e Shkollës Së Mesme Të Lartë 

L

Latvia
  • Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību 
Lebanon
  • Baccalauréat Libanais 
Liechtenstein
  • Maturazeugnis from the Liechtensteinischen Gymnasiums 
Lithuania
  • Brandos Atestatas 
Luxembourg
  • Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires Classiques
  • Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires Générales with sufficient general, academic subjects 

M

Malta
  • Matriculation Certificate in general, academic subjects with an overall grade of A-C 
Mexico
  • Certificado de Bachillerato with an average grade > 8.0 or 80 in the final year
  • Certificado de Bachillerato + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Moldova
  • Diploma de Bacalaureat 
Montenegro
  • Diploma o Završenoj Srednjoj Školi
  • Diploma o stečenom srednem obrazovanju
  • Diploma/Uverenje o položenom maturskom ispitu 
Morocco
  • Attestation du Baccalauréat + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 

N

New Zealand
  • National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA Level 3) including New Zealand University Entrance 
Nigeria
  • West African Senior School Certificate with 6 subjects with grades between A1 and C6 + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
  • Senior School Certificate (NECO) with 6 subjects with grades between A1 and B3 + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
North Macedonia
  • Diploma za položena državna matura 
Norway
  • Vitnemål for Videregående Opplæring in a general, academic profile 

P

Pakistan
  • Higher Secondary School Certificate with the score A1, A, B or C + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
  • Intermediate School Certificate with the score A1, A, B or C + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Peru
  • Certificado Oficial de Estudios + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Philippines
  • Senior High School Diploma (Grade 12) – academic track + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university
  • Senior High School Diploma (Grade 12) - STEM track with an average final result of at least 80% 
Poland
  • Świadectwo Dojrzałości Liceum Ogólnokształcącego 
Portugal
  • Diploma do Ensino Secundario, cursos científicos humanisticos with an average grade >15 + a Classificações para Acesso ao Ensino Superior (ENES) with scores of at least 120 over 4 national (entrance) exams in 4 different subjects. 

R

Romania
  • Diploma de Bacalaureat 
Russian Federation
  • Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average grade > 4.50 in the final year
  • Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 

S

Saudi Arabia
  • Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat (General Secondary Education Certificate) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Serbia
  • Diploma o stečenom srednem obrazovanju
  • Diploma/Uverenje o položenom maturskom ispitu 
Singapore
  • Cambridge General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level Examination in at least 5 different subjects with at least 3 subjects at H2 level and 1 general subject at H1 level 
Sint Maarten
  • VWO-diploma 
Slovakia
  • Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej skúške obtained at a Gymnázium 
Slovenia
  • Spričevalo o Splosni Maturi from a Gimnazia 
South Africa
  • National Senior Certificate with a minimum score of 70% in 7 subjects and the statement that the minimum requirements for admission to a bachelor’s degree are met 
South Korea
  • High School Diploma from a Science High School or Special High School with at least result B/80% in the final year + College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) with a CSAT Stanine score of 1-3 in each subject
  • High School Diploma + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Spain
  • Titulo de Bachiller with an average grade of >7.0 in the final year + Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad (PAU), Evaluación de Bachillerato para Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU) or Evaluación de Acceso a la Universidad (EVAU) with a passing grade (APTO). 
     

The Spanish Homologacion (with the Specific Competency Tests, PCE) of a foreign diploma is not accepted for admission. Students will be assessed based on the diploma of their home country. 

Suriname
  • VWO-diploma 
Sweden
  • Högskoleförberedande Examen from a Gymnasieskolan in one of the following programmes:
    • Naturvetenskaps Programmet / Natural Science Programme
    • Samhällsvetenskapsliga Programmet / Social Science Programme
    • Ekonomi Programmet / Business Management and Economics Programme
    • Humanistiska Programmet / Humanities Programme
    • Teknik Programmet / Technology Programme
    • Estetiska Programmet/Health and Social Care Programme 
Switzerland
  • Maturitätszeugnis
  • Certificat de Maturité
  • Attesto di Maturità
  • Maturitätsausweis

T

Turkey
  • Lise Diplomasi from a Genel Lise + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 

U

Ukraine
  • Svidotstvo pro zdobuttia povnoi zagalnoj serednoi osvity (obtained from 2019 onwards) + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
United Kingdom
  • 3 GCE A-levels* in academic subjects with grades A, B or C + 3 GCSE’s. The GCSE’s need to be taken in 3 other subjects than the A-Levels.
  • Cambridge Pre-University Diploma
  • Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) with 3 A-levels in academic subjects with grades A, B or C
  • Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with at least 4 subjects at higher grade and 2 subjects at advanced higher grade with grades A, B or C 

 

* The following A-Levels are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Divinity, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Law, (Further) Mathematics), Marine Science, Modern Languages, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. A-levels that are not listed will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

 Applicants who apply with A-Levels are requested to provide a clear overview of the A- Levels they are taking. 

AS-Levels can not be used to compensate for missing A-Level(s) with grade A, B or C 

United States of America
  • United States High School Diploma with 4 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 3 issued by the College Board
  • United States High School Diploma with 3 Advanced Placement exams with a minimum score of 4 issued by the College Board
  • United States High School Diploma + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 


Applicants who apply with a United States High School Diploma in combination with AP- exams are requested to provide a clear overview of the AP-exams they will sit. Without the overview of your (to be taken) AP-exams, we are unable to review your application. 

V

Venezuela
  • Titulo de Bachiller / Bachillerato + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university 
Vietnam
  • Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học

Z

Zimbabwe
  • Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 2 subjects with an A, B or C + the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level with an A, B or C for at least 5 examination subjects + successful completion of all year 1 credits/courses of a bachelor’s (undergraduate) programme in university