Pre-master for MSc Artificial Intelligence
For students that don't meet all entry requirements for the master's programme in Artificial Intelligence, the Board of Admissions might offer a tailor-made pre-master's programme based on your previous knowledge and skills.
For applicants with a non-EEA diploma it is not possible to apply for our pre-master's programmes directly. You will have to apply for one of our regular master's programmes first (to be found in Studielink with the ‘transnationale Universiteit Limburg’). If your credentials and educational background are insufficient for direct admission into one of our master's programmes, the Board of Admissions will determine whether a pre-master's programme can be offered.
Please note: admission to the Artificial Intelligence pre-master's programme is only possible for candidates with minor deficiencies or candidates who meet all the requirements but on a University of Applied Sciences level. Before applying for the programme, please feel free to contact our admissions office via dacs-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl regarding your specific situation.
Who is the pre-master's programme for?
If you just fall short of meeting the admission requirements for the master's programme Artificial Intelligence, our pre-master's programme offers you the opportunity to obtain your starting credentials. The pre-master's programme is tailor-made for each individual applicant and the courses you will follow depend on the knowledge and skills you've already obtained. The pre-master's programme has a duration of one semester which is equivalent to +/- 6 months.
To determine whether you are eligible for a pre-master's programme, our admissions board will carefully evaluate your diplomas, academic portfolio and proof of proficiency in English. The pre-master's programme should be successfully completed within one semester and entails 30 ECTS credits. After successful completion of the pre-master's programme, you will then be able to continue with the MSc Artificial Intelligence.
Curious about your options? Don't hesitate to contact our admissions office!
Graduates from a Dutch HBO in a related field
The pre-master's programme is also a suitable option for students who have a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) in a related field, like ICT or (Technical) Informatics. You will follow a one-semester programme at our department, and gain access to the master's programme upon successful completion of the pre-master's programme. Again, our admissions office is your first point of contact.

Our admissions office is happy to look at your options. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information!
Miranda Vermeer
Céline Duijsens-Rondagh
Admissions Officers
General requirements
1. Submit your curriculum vitae and an academic transcript of your grades
All candidates must provide a cv and an academic transcript of their grades. Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
2. Write an essay of motivation
All candidates should write an essay of motivation, 2 pages in A4 format. Give good arguments about why you want to do this master's programme at Maastricht University, and why you expect that you can successfully complete the programme.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in English
As English is the language of instruction in this study programme, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake intensive and challenging academic courses that are taught and examined in English.
Application deadlines
The regular application deadlines for the master's programme in Artificial Intelligence apply. You can find them here.
Study fee
- The premaster's programme study fee is about half of the statutory fee for both EU/EEA & non-EU/EEA students.
- The pre-master's programme has a duration of one semester which is equivalent to +/- 6 months. You can find more information about the study fee here
The statutory as well as the institutional study fees for academic year 2023/2024 will be published on this webpage in November. |
About MSc Artificial Intelligence
In the master's programme Artificial Intelligence you’ll learn how to use and develop computer systems that can learn from experience, recognise patterns in vasts amounts of data and reason strategically in complex decision-making situations. The programme is very flexible, which means you can tailor it to your interests and ambitions.
You’ll also have the opportunity to work on real-life cases provided by different organisations, giving you all the preparation you need to pursue a career as an artificial intelligence specialist at a research institute or company.
Fast facts
- Learn about systems that simulate human intelligence.
- No numerus fixus
- 2-year, full time master's programme, taught in English
- Starts in September and February
- Weekly: 8 hrs classes, 32 hrs group work/individual study