Pre-master for International Business
This pre-master's programme is a transfer programme for graduates who wish to obtain a university master's degree in International Business at the School of Business and Economics (SBE). On this page, you will find important details of the application process (such as deadlines, admission requirements and required documents).
Do you want to bridge the gap between your pre-education and our master’s programmes in International Business? Then check if you qualify for admission[SM(1] for this pre-master’s programme. This programme will last one semester. If you finish it successfully, you will be granted direct admission to the master's programme.
Fast facts
- Starts in September 2024
- Application deadline September intake: 1 May 2024 (non-EU/EEA) and 1 June 2024 (EU/EEA)
- Duration: 6 months (30 ECTS)
- Taught in English
- Gets you ready to succeed in your master's
Pre-master courses
The programme is composed of two dedicated pre-master courses and two key courses taken from the SBE bachelor’s courses. You will gain foundational knowledge in the field of study, train academic and research skills, and become familiar with problem-based learning (PBL). Some of these courses are assessed by individual papers, others with a focus on group work.
Who is the pre-master's programme for?
Students who qualify for admission
- Students with a related EU/EEA university of applied sciences (UoAS) bachelor’s or master’s degree:
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Related UoAS programmes from other EU/EEA countries: please submit your application. The Board of Admissions will check your eligibility.
- Students with a related or unrelated University bachelor’s or master’s degree (EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA)
Students who do not qualify for admission
- Students with a non-EU/EEA University of Applied Sciences degree
- Students with an unrelated EU/EEA University of Applied Sciences degree

Questions?
Please contact SBE Admissions Office
masteradmissions-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Admission requirements
Students with a University degree (EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA)
Do you have an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA University bachelor’s or master’s degree in either a related or unrelated field to the pre-master’s programme? If so, you are eligible to apply. The Board of Admissions will check your eligibility.
Required documents if your GPA is 7.00 or higher
Does your country use a different grading scale? Please see the list of equivalent GPA calculations.
- A grades transcript of all successfully completed bachelor’s courses so far, including your overall GPA.
- GPA-statement: download the standard format
- Certified copy of your diploma (if already obtained)
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
Required documents if your GPA is lower than 7.00
- Official GMAT or GRE score report no older than 2 years
Minimum required GMAT total score: 550
More information about the GMAT/GRE test - A grades transcript of all successfully completed bachelor’s courses so far, including your overall GPA.
- Certified copy of your diploma (if already obtained)
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card
Apply for this pre-master?
Step 1: Apply in Studielink
Let us know you want to apply for this study programme
Your application for the pre-master’s programme starts in Studielink. That is where you create an account and submit your application. You can start your application for the September 2024 intake in October 2023. The deadline to complete the application process is 1 May 2024 for non EU/EEA students, and 1 June 2024 for EU/EEA students.
Step 2: Upload required documents
Check which documents you need to upload
After submitting your application you will receive your login details to the MyApplication portal in which you can upload all required documents for the application procedure.
Step 3: Enrolment
Arrange the practical matters required to start your studies at UM
Once you are admitted to the pre-master’s programme(s) you applied for, you need to arrange your enrolment. The tasks you need to complete to be enrolled are listed in the MyApplication portal under ‘Enrolment tasks’. You can find a brief overview below.
Pay your study fee
Every applicant will need to pay their study fee. More information on how to go about arranging your study fee payment is provided in the task description in the MyApplication portal.
Once you’ve received an invite to pay your study fee, it is important that you indicate how you wish to arrange your payment (in Studielink). Do so on time (in any case before the start of your studies). Please also make sure that you pay (the first instalment of) your study fee in a timely manner. Otherwise, you won’t be able to start your studies.
Read more about tuition fees. Please note: pre-master’s students pay half of the tuition fee for master’s students, as the program lasts one semester.
Upload or send any documents still required
If any of your documents are still missing, for example your diploma, you will need to upload the requested documents as quickly as possible in the MyApplication portal, or send these by post to the UM if that is requested.
UM can only enrol you if you have completed all the tasks in the MyApplication portal. Please make sure this is the case, so that your application and enrolment can be completed and you’ll be ready to start preparing for your studies as soon as possible.
Confirmation of Enrolment
When you have been enrolled for your study programme at UM, you will receive confirmation of this from UM (in the message inbox in the MyApplication portal) and from Studielink (by email).
UM email account
Before you start your studies, you will receive the login details for your UM email account. Your UM email address will be used for all correspondence about your introduction programme and the start of your studies. Your private email address will only be used to inform you about the application and enrolment process.