MICS Education

Education and teaching at the department include a variety of topics related to the theoretical and practical application of criminal law, criminology and forensics. Our approach to teaching is problem based, and courses are offered in both Dutch and English.

Bachelor and Master programmes

Our teaching staff is actively involved in a number of Bachelor and Master programs at UM. These include the BA in Dutch Law (Rechtsgeleerdheid), the BA programs at the European Law School and at the Maastricht University College, and MA programs in Dutch and English. Specifically, MICS members develop and teach courses of the Master’s Programme Forensics, Criminology and Law, the Master’s Forensic Psychology (taught in English), and the Master's Programme Forensica, Criminologie & Rechtspleging (taught in Dutch).

Students and teaching

The UM Faculty of Law hosts a diverse community of students and staff from various national and academic backgrounds. At MICS, teaching combines legal, criminological, and forensic psychology education with a strong practitioner focus. Our approach reflects the needs of modern criminal justice professionals, blending solid theoretical knowledge with practical and social skills.

Courses integrate academic and professional competencies within an international perspective. Bachelor programmes follow a case-based, project-oriented model, while Master’s courses are taught by academics and practitioners such as judges, lawyers, and forensic experts. From the outset, students can engage in MICS activities through research internships, tutoring, or participation in the cold case project.

PhD candidates

MICS welcomes PhD researchers from diverse academic and national backgrounds. We value innovative projects across a broad range of topics and offer a dynamic, international research community. Although learning Dutch is encouraged, English is the working language.

PhD candidates are Maastricht University employees for four to six years, receiving a salary without tuition fees. This competitive programme allows researchers to focus on their projects while taking on limited teaching duties. Graduates often pursue academic careers or roles in EU institutions and legal practice.

If you are passionate about criminal law, criminology, or related fields, we invite you to apply. In addition to qualifications, we look for strong research proposals that align with MICS’s research profile.

Master programme highlight

Forensics, Criminology and Law

Situated within the Maastricht Institute for Criminal Science, this programme offers a truly multidisciplinary view of crime and justice by integrating law, criminology and multiple forensic disciplines such as psychology, psychopathology, accounting and medicine. Students learn to analyse complex criminal cases by examining the causes of criminal behaviour, methods of evidence collection, the reliability of witnesses, fraud and asset confiscation, and the role of DNA and other forensic evidence in investigations and court proceedings.

The master leads to a one‑year, full‑time LLM degree that prepares graduates to bridge scientific insights and legal decision‑making in modern criminal justice systems. Teaching takes place in small, international groups using Problem-Based Learning, allowing students to work with real‑life cases, develop critical thinking and collaborate across disciplines in an academic environment closely connected to the Institute’s research.

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Acclaimed master's programme

This master programme is widely recognised for its unique integration of forensic science, criminology and law within a single LLM, a profile that remains rare in Europe and aligns directly with the research expertise of the MICS. Embedded in a Faculty of Law that consistently holds a high position in international subject rankings, the programme offers students access to a strong academic network and an innovative, research‑driven learning environment.

More than 300 graduates now work as lawyers, researchers, policy officers, consultants, forensic advisors, anti‑fraud coordinators, probation officers and other criminal justice professionals, illustrating the programme’s strong link to practice and its relevance for careers in both the public and private sectors.

What our students say

Students appreciate the interdisciplinary character of the programme and the way it “goes beyond the legal perspective”, allowing them to explore the full spectrum of forensics, criminology and law within one coherent degree. They consistently underline that the three pillars are genuinely integrated rather than separated into tracks, making the curriculum feel practice‑oriented and closely aligned with developments in contemporary criminal justice.

Many students also emphasise the interactive teaching style and the connection to practice, including guest lectures by practitioners, work placements, field visits and international experiences. They describe the programme as demanding but rewarding, and highlight the small‑scale setting in Maastricht and the close contact with staff at the Maastricht Institute for Criminal Science as crucial for their academic growth and professional preparation.