Prospective students & applicants
General questions about applying
Due to the COVID-19 measures I will not be able to take a test required for my registration (IELTS/TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, Boswell Beta/CCVX, etc.) as the test has been cancelled or postponed. What should I do?
One of the options, is to take the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Test. This test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test as taken at a test center. It is taken on your own computer at home and is monitored by a human proctor online.
ETS is temporarily offering a GRE General Test at home option. The test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the GRE General Test taken at a test center. It is taken on your own computer at home and is monitored by a human proctor online.
In the meantime, please complete your application as far as possible according to the current procedure. Also check whether your test centre offers the possibility to take the test online, as some centres do or are planning to do. Note that the application deadlines for some of our bachelor’s programmes have been extended; visit the individual bachelor's programme pages to review the latest information.
I want to apply, but my school is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and I cannot upload the requested documents. What should I do?
Please contact the UM Admissions Office via e-mail. They will advise you how to proceed with your application.
How can I hand in a certified copy of my diploma as requested in my admission letter?
You can make an appointment to hand in the certified copy. You can also send a certified copy of your diploma by regular mail. Check the information about certifying documents and the postal address here.
I recently mailed a certified copy of my diploma to you, or plan to do so soon. What will happen?
Your document will be processed by the Admissions Office, although due to the COVID-19 situation this may take longer than usual. If the document is invalid or does not meet the requirements, you will be informed by e-mail.
I applied for a scholarship. When will I find out if I am granted one?
The recipients will be announced as originally scheduled. To view the timeline, click on ‘Selection procedure’ on the webpage of the scholarship you applied for.
Any other questions? Send us an email.
Specific questions for international students
Is Maastricht University still considering applications from students in countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak?
Yes, we will continue to give equal consideration to all applications regardless of where you are from or where you live. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Admissions team by e-mail via study@maastrichtuniversity.nl We will update our FAQs as new information becomes available and we advise you to check this page regularly for the latest information.
My secondary school final exams have been/may be cancelled and/or postponed. Can I still be admitted to a bachelor’s programme at Maastricht University?
Yes, Maastricht University will be accepting all non-Dutch diploma credentials that appear on our diploma equivalencies list regardless of exam postponements or cancellations. If minimum grades for final exams and/or specific exam results are required for your diploma in the diploma equivalencies list and if these exams have been cancelled in your country, your application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and admission could still be possible based on your final year results so far.
We are actively monitoring developments around the world and will be reviewing the implications for our admissions policy of final exams being cancelled as soon as possible. Maastricht University will do its utmost to take your circumstances into consideration and offer flexibility where possible.
I follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma or British GCE A-levels programme at my secondary school and the final exams have been cancelled. Can I still be admitted to a bachelor’s programme at Maastricht University?
Yes. If you already applied and received conditional admission based on an International Baccalaureate (IB) or British GCE A-levels diploma that you will obtain in 2020, the cancellation of the exam sessions of summer 2020 does not have an impact on your eligibility. As long as you obtain your diploma and meet the conditions specified in your letter of admission, you can receive unconditional admission and start in your chosen programme in September. Please arrange for the IB or A-level authority to send us your results as soon as they are available. Note that if you applied for a numerus fixus or selective programme, you will still need to be selected by your programme.
If you haven’t applied yet, and the application deadline of your chosen programme has not passed, we encourage you to start the application process and to submit your application on time, despite any uncertainties. We recognise that these are highly unusual circumstances, and we are committed to supporting you and ensuring that the admissions process continues as smoothly as possible.
I am an American High School student taking AP exams. As the AP exams will now be administered online, will Maastricht University accept these new AP exams?
Yes. If you have already applied and received conditional admission based on the American High School Diploma with APs you will obtain in 2020, the change of your examinations does not have an impact on your eligibility. As long as you obtain your diploma and meet the conditions specified in your letter of admission, you can receive unconditional admission and start in your chosen programme in September. Please arrange for the College Board to send us your results as soon as they are available. Note that if you applied for a numerus fixus or selective programme, you will still need to be selected by your programme.
If you haven’t applied yet, and the application deadline of your chosen programme has not passed, we encourage you to start the application process and to submit your application on time, despite any uncertainties. Your application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and admission could still be possible based on your final year results so far. We recognise that these are highly unusual circumstances, and we are committed to supporting you and ensuring that the admissions process continues as smoothly as possible.
COVID-19 Compensation schemes
Where can I find more information about COVID-19 compensation shemes for students? ( Enrolment before completing prior education (zachte knip), reduction in tuition fees, BSA, COVID-19 Leniency and Force majeure Erasmus+ programme)
Maastricht University offers a number of compensation schemes to accommodate students who due to COVID-19 have experienced a delay in graduating, are facing financial difficulties, or have had to interrupt an exchange prematurely. The Office of Education (DUO) / Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (OCW) also offer a number of schemes.
Here you will find a summary of these schemes and links to further information.
Questions regarding finding a room
How can I find a room if I can’t come to Maastricht for a viewing?
Most landlords advertise their rooms through Maastricht Housing or other websites such as Pararius or Kamernet. You can also find rooms via Facebook; see this group for example.
Some landlords are still organising one-on-one viewings with students. Otherwise, most landlords usually provide sufficient information for you to assess the offer online without having to see the room. If a landlord prefers not to arrange a viewing due to the possible risk of COVID-19 contamination, ask if he/she has a video presentation or if you can arrange a video call (Skype, Zoom, etc.) so that you can see the place.
What if I sign a lease now but can’t come, e.g. because the travel restrictions are still in place or I haven’t received the documents required to enrol in my study programme?
By signing a lease you enter into a legal contract with the landlord, which means you have certain rights, but also obligations. Make sure the landlord provides clarity about the grounds and conditions for cancellation and the period in which you can cancel without financial penalties. This should be clearly stated in the contract or through some other official channel (email/letter from the landlord, etc.). This prevents hassle afterwards and gives you the reassurance that if for any reason you can't come to Maastricht, you can still cancel the lease. If these terms are conditions are not properly documented, you run the risk of having the pay the full rent even if you cannot come to Maastricht. Whether, and under what conditions, a landlord wishes to cooperate in setting out the grounds and conditions for cancellation is between you and the landlord. Experience shows that different landlords deal with this matter in different ways—which makes it is all the more important that you pay close attention.
For more questions about the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords and the content of leases, please contact Huurteam Zuid-Limburg. You can also turn to the helpdesk for advice or legal support if you have any questions after signing the lease.
How can I best approach my housing search?
Visit MyMaastricht for comprehensive information about finding housing in Maastricht. This website also provides information about your rights and obligations, costs, etc. We suggest starting your search through the platform with the largest selection on offer: www.maastrichthousing.nl. For a one-time fee of €35,- you get access to the full range of rooms offered through the housing corporations, more than 85% of those offered through private landlords and all 930 furnished rooms of the Maastricht University Guesthouse.
I have a question about finding accommodation that I can’t find an answer to online. Where can I turn for help?
The Maastricht Housing helpdesk is available Monday–Friday 8.30–17.00 By phone : +31 (0)43 38 85300 or email.
The helpdesk staff will gladly help you in your search for your new home in Maastricht.