Is the Einstein Telescope coming to the Euregion? As yet, nobody knows. But if the telescope is built here, it will offer many opportunities for valorisation, according to Han Dols. Dols is head of business development at CERN, the European laboratory for particle physics in Geneva. He delivered the...
As a parent, you play a vital role in helping your child choose the right study programme. Your support and insight can make a significant difference in helping them find a programme that aligns with their interests, strengths and future goals. Here, you can find more about how you can support your child and how you can learn more about Maastricht University (UM) and our programmes.
Tips for helping your child choose a study programme
Step 1: Explore interests
Help your child map out their interests by posing questions and recording their answers:
- What subjects excite them most?
- What are their stronger subjects and weaker subjects?
- What subjects do they not want to study?
- Which language would they feel most comfortable learning in?
Make a list of study programmes that match their interests and skills.
Step 2: Compare options
Together, compare the different programmes in your list. Evaluate each programme based on factors like:
- Course content and subject focus
- Admission requirements
- Teaching styles (e.g., Problem-Based Learning, lectures)
Facilities and support services
- Career paths and job opportunities after graduation
Step 3: Get first-hand experience
Encourage your child to dive deeper by experiencing their top programme choices first-hand:
- Attend Open Days together or have them join an Experience Day to get a feel for the campus environment.
- Join online information events.
- Talk to current students and staff to get personal insights.
- Reflect on whether the programme will keep them motivated and if they’ll feel a sense of belonging.
Support and guidance
Making the jump between high school and university can be overwhelming, so your child may need extra emotional support during the decision-making process. It may be helpful to remind them that this is an important step, but not the only step in their journey.
If your child chooses to study at UM, they will have access to a variety of support and guidance services from their first day at university until their graduation.
Parent sessions at our Open Days (in Dutch)
Come to an Open Day together with your child and experience the UM campus and Maastricht together. During the Open Day, many faculties offer sessions for parents.
Online information session for pupils and parents
Are you unable to visit our university? Then register together with your child to attend an online information session about Maastricht University.
Worth exploring
Practical matters
- Application & admission
- Tuition fees
- Student guidance & support
- Sports
What makes learning at UM special?
At UM, students work in small groups using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). This active approach keeps students engaged and helps them apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
On-campus and online events
Experience UM by joining us on campus or online for an event
Connect with us
As a parent, please feel free to reach out to us directly. We're happy to answer all your questions, as well as your child's questions, about studying at UM.
join-us@maastrichtuniversity.nl
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To support the diversification of career paths and talent development, academic profiles were created for most academic positions, recognising the differences in faculties.
Academic profiles
These academic profiles - recognising the differences between faculties - clarify expectations for academic staff and serve as tools for career planning in consultation with their leadership. They are designed not as checklists but as aids for ongoing dialogue on professional growth, helping assessors and staff align on development goals.
Key developments include:
The creation of the UM Career Compass, a guide for development dialogue aligned with the new academic profiles.
- Development and promotion processes, such as annual appraisals, is being aligned with the Recognition & Rewards philosophy.
- The release of the ‘Recognition & Rewards UM Career Development Policy 2023-2028,’ emphasises continuous feedback and development for all employees, with no distinction between academic and support staff.
Download the academic profiles here:
Assistant, associate and full professors (without patient care)
Assistant, associate and full professors (with patient care)
Research Fellows and Postdocs
Teaching Fellows, Academic Teachers, Senior Academic Teachers and Teaching Experts
Download the leaflets with an overview of all profiles here:
All profiles, without patient care
All profiles, with patient care
A new format for development interviews: UM Career Compass
In line with the academic profiles, the UM Career Compass has been developed: a format for the development interviews, replacing the existing toolkit for annual development talks. The compass was created to facilitate and support the dialogue on employee development.
The development talk:
- Focuses on the employee's work, behaviour and performance.
- Is about finding a good balance between personal talents and ambitions and organisational needs and strategies.
Download the UM Career Compass:
- Teachers
- Researchers
- Assistant, Associate and Full Professors
(download the pdf first, then fill in)
Recognition & Rewards UM Career Development Policy 2023-2028
In March 2023, the policy memo ‘Recognition & Rewards UM Career Development Policy 2023-2028’ was released. In line with the Recognition & Rewards philosophy, we focus on continuous development and feedback for all UM employees, with no distinction between academic and support staff. A successful career-development policy asks for customisation. The policy memo sets out the framework and goals, on theme such as stimulating internal mobility, traineeships, revision of the CAO Selection Model, transparency of career paths and investment in professional development activities. It is up to the faculties and service centres to implement the policy according to their own needs and wishes.