2024/2025
2014/2015

Study abroad at
Study abroad at

University College
University
CollegeMaastricht
Maastricht
Choose University College Maastricht as your first choice in education• An honors liberal arts college offering a wide range of courses entirely taught in English;

Pick
Maastricht
as yourfirst choicein education• TheUniversity
first College College
in The Netherlands
to receive
a quality
label fromthe NVAO for the achievement level of its graduate• students.
An honorsInliberal
artsthecollegeoffering
a wideof courses
entirelytaught quality
in English
addition,
NVAO
awarded
UCMrangewith theprestigious
distinctive
feature ‘Small-scale and Intensive• Education’;
The first College in The Netherlands to receive a quality label from the NVAO for the achievement level of its graduate
students. In
addition,
the NVAO
UCM
inQuality
2012 with
distinctive
qualityfeature‘Small-scale• University
College
Maastricht
hasawarded
received theTop
Sealtheandprestigious
is top ranked
in the Elsevier
Dutch
University
CollegesandIntensive
Education’.
According
to
the
Dutch
Keuzegids
2013,
UCM
is
the
secondbestof400
bachelor
programs
Ranking.
in the using
Netherlands• Study
the Problem Based Learning method, an innovative teaching system where students learn in small classes
• in
Study
using
Problem
Based Learning method, an innovative teaching system where students learn in small classes
a dynamicthe
learning
environment;
inadynamic
learning
environment• Attend courses for credits while improving your qualifications;•• An
Attendcourses for
creditwhere
while improving
qualifications
international
collegemore than your
50 different
nationalities are represented;•• Good
An international
college
where
more
than
40
different
nationalitiesstudent support networks, student clubs and societies,
you willare
berepresented
able to make friends quickly and easily;•• A
A world
world classclass university
university inin thethe heart
heart ofof Europe
Europe locatedlocated only
only aa short
short train
train ride
ride away
away toto London
London oror Paris;
Paris•• LocatedLocated ontheMaasriver,
Maastricht
is
one
of
the
most
beautifulandoldesttowns
intheNetherlands.
It isItfullof ofon the Maas river, Maastricht is one of the most beautiful and oldest towns in the Netherlands.
is fullhistory,
traditionandculture.
There
are
many
sights
to
see
and
many
shops,
cafes
andmuseumstoexplorehistory, tradition and culture. There are many sights to see and many shops, cafes and museums to explore;•• A
A university
university town,
town, students
it aa buzzing
buzzing vibe
vibe dayday andand night;night
students give
give it•• Friendly
Friendly staff
staff who
who will
will ensure
ensure you
you have
have aa great
great experience
experience on
on your
your exchange.
exchange
University College Maastricht has provided countless students with memories to last a lifetime. One of our exchange
students‘Exchange opens your life to opportunities and experiences you
Universitysaid:
College Maastricht has provided countless students with memories
never thought you’d have. It’s a time of my life which will always
to last a lifetime. One of our exchange‘Exchange opens your life to opportunities and experiences you never thought you’d have.
students said:
evoke a sense of achievement, adventure and growth’

It’s a time of my life which will always evoke a sense of achievement, adventure and growth’

University College Maastricht
University College
Maastricht(UCM) offers qualified stuUniversity
College
Maastricht

dents the opportunity
to study in (UCM)
English offers
at a Liberal
Arts
University
College Maastricht
qualifiedand Sciencesin thetoNetherlands.
Students
students
the college
opportunity
study in English
in arethehighly motivatedstudy hard.
are small,with
Netherlands
at aandLiberal
Arts Classes
and Sciencescollege.
emphasisareplacedindependent
learninga groupStudents
highlyonmotivatedand study
hard.via
Classesareprocesswith(theemphasis
Problem-Based
Learning
method).
This apsmall,placed on
independent
learning
via
interdisciplinaryand students
build theirown
aproachgroupisprocess(the Problem-Based
Learning
method).
curriculumfromcourses offered inthestudents
Sciences,build
HumanThisapproachis interdisciplinary
and
their
ities andSocial Sciences
concentrations,acaowncurriculumfrom courses
offered inincluding
the Sciences,
demic skills trainings
academiccore courses.
Humanities
and Socialand
Sciences,
includingacademic skills
trainings and academic core courses.
UCM caters for students with broad academic interests
who donot forwant
to limitwith
themselves
to a program
foUCM
catersstudents
broad academic
interests
cuseddoon
singleacademicdiscipline.
Exchange
stuwhonotonewant
to limit
themselves
to a program
focuseddents
aresingle
encouraged
to choosecoursesthat meet
their
on
one
academicdiscipline.
Exchange
students
studyrequirements
at home.
areencouraged
to choosecourses that meet their study
requirements at home.

The Academic Year
The Academic
academic year
at UCM is divided into two semesters
The
Year

of 20
weeks. Fallin September,will haveThe
academic
yearsemester
at UCM starts
is divided
into two semesters
a two-weekbreak, andendsinlate
January/earof
20 weeks. Christmas
The Fall semester
starts
September,will
ly February.
The Springsemesterin February
andhave
a two-week
Christmas
break, starts
and ends
late January.
ends
late June/earlyJuly. Ainsemester
dividedthree
The
Springsemester starts
Februaryisandends into
late June/
periods:
course periodsof 7 into
weeks
andperiods:
one project
early
July.twoA semester
is divided
three
two
periodperiodsof 4 weeks.
Each andperiodwithan examweekcourseof 7 weeks
oneends
project
periodof 4 weeks.
followed students
by 1 weekcoming
off – thisis your
Reflection
Week.
ExExchange
in Fallcould
decide not
to takechangestudents
in Fall
to taketheproject
period comingin January
and may
leavedecide
beforenot
Christmas,
the project
periodJanuary andleave before Christmas,
providedtheirhomeinuniversity
agrees.
provided their home university approves.
Students take two courses per period, meaning four courses
per semester. Classes in academic skills run alongsidethese courses. At the end of each semester all students
participate in a project. This can be, for example, a research
project or an extended writing assignment.

Academic calendar

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Application
Deadline
Academic
calendar

1Fall
April
2024
2014

1 October2024
Spring2015

3-Day introduction(obligatory)
Application
Deadline26- 282014
August 2024
1 May

27November- 29 January
2025
1
2014

First dayof classes (obligatory)
3-Day
introduction

225September
2024- 27 August
2014

3 February
2025 201526- 28 January

Last dayFirst
day ofof classes
classes

31
January 2025
1 September
2014

4 February
July 2025 2015
2

Last day of classes

30 January 2015

3 July 2015

Assessment

Continuous assessment is a prime characteristic of theexamination system at UCM. For assessment, staff may
employ a whole range of methods. In almost all courses
students will have to write a paper or give a presentation.
Their contributions to tutorial groups may also count totheir final grade. There is usually also a final test, which
typically consists of essay type questions.
Students are awarded credits and grades for a course if
the following requirements have been met:
Students must have attended at least 85% of all tutorialgroup meetings to be allowed to take the final test of thecourse. For many of the skills courses and all projects, a
100% attendance is required.

Attendance requirement

Please be aware that an attendance record is kept for
all meetings. Not meeting the minimum attendance requirement results in failing the course.

Instruction method: Problem-Based Learning

UCM uses Problem-Based Learning (PBL) as its method of
instruction. PBL is a student centered approach to teaching and studying. The students discuss (in small groups
of maximum 12 students) scientific and practical problems prepared by faculty members. The tutorial groups
meet twice a week and are guided by a faculty member.
Weekly lectures may provide an overview, explain difficult subjects or expand on the literature.

Letter
Grade

GPA

Dutch Grade

Description

The PBL method requires active participation andself-guided initiative from students. Intensive PBL-training is part of the UCM introduction program. For instructional videos about PBL please search “PBL Maastricht
University” on YouTube.

A+

4.0

8.6-10

Excellent

Course load / credit systemA

4.0

8.0-8.5

Good

A-

3.7

7.7-7.9

Good

B+

3.3

7.4-7.6

Good

B

3.0

7.0-7.3

Good

B-

2.7

6.7-6.9

Pass

C+

2.3

6.4-6.6

Pass

C

2.0

6.0-6.3

Pass

A normal credit load for a semester looks like this:

C-

1.7

5.5-5.9

Pass

D+

1.3

5.4

Fail

Courseperiod 1
7 weeks

Courseperiod 2
7 weeks

Courseperiod 3
4 weeksD

1.0

5.0-5.3

Fail

Course 1
5 ECTS

Course 3
5 ECTS

Project
5 ECTSF

0.0

0.0-4.9

Fail

Course 2
5 ECTS

Course 4
5 ECTS

Skills 1
2.5 ECTS

Skills 2
2.5 ECTS

12.5 ECTS

12.5 ECTS

UCM course assessment is expressed through the following grading system:

Undergraduate exchange students enroll in a maximumof 30 ECTS per semester (or 60 ECTS for a full year), which
is a typical full-time study load. Depending on the student’s home university requirements, exchange students are allowed to take a reduced load. Since courses
are offered in short 7-week periods, UCM does NOT havean add/drop period. Mutual approval concerning yourcourse selection is part of the application process wellbefore the beginning of your exchange at UCM.
Credits are earned by successfully completing courses,
projects and skills trainings (including the attendance requirement). A course earns 5 ECTS, a project 5 ECTS and askills training 2.5 ECTS.

5 ECTSTotal

30 ECTS

We do not allow students to enroll in additional courses
on top of the maximum 30 ECTS. Also, it is not possible tobe flexible with the maximum number of 30 ECTS. Meaning, you can not take an additional course to make up for
credits you miss for not taking a skill or project.

The curriculum

Students can select subjects in any area within the three
concentrations. Students attend courses, academic skills
trainings and projects. All are offered on three levels: intro-

ductory (1000), intermediate (2000), and advanced (3000).
Our 2000- and 3000-level courses have prerequisites. The
prerequisites are found in the course descriptions available in the UCM course catalogue which can be found on
our webpage www.ucm.nl/exchange under the header“Study Info” you will find a link to “Course Offering”.

Areas within the concentrations
Social Sciences

Humanities

Sciences

Economics andBusiness Administration

History

AppliedMathematics

Sociology

Cultural Studies

Information
and Computer
Sciences

Political Science

Arts and
Literature

Biomedical
Sciences

International
Relations

Philosophy

Biology

Public Policy

Biochemistry

International Law

Cognitive
Sciences and
Neurosciences

Psychology
Statistics

Application procedure

Exchange students must be nominated by the international office of their home institution. Once a student
has been nominated, the student will receive application
instructions. An original or official certified copy of thestudent’s current academic transcript (in English) mustbe submitted. Students from a non-English speaking
background must attach appropriate evidence of English
language proficiency. The College’s English language requirements are TOEFL 575 (paper-based version), TOEFL
232 (computer-based version), TOEFL 90 points (internet-based version) or an IELTS test with a score of at least
6.5. Students may submit alternative proof of language
proficiency. Please contact your home institutions international office for details.
Once the application has been received and approved
the student will be asked to fill out our Course Registration Form. At UCM we will carefully review the preferred course selection for each student, based on thesubmitted academic transcript. If the student meets therequested prerequisite of the course he/she will be enrolled. If not, UCM will try to reach mutual agreement byoffering alternative choices. Once the student’s courses
have been confirmed, the selection is final, we wil enroll
the student and a personal time table will be created.

Visa requirements

All non-EU students need to obtain a residence permit to
study in The Netherlands. Some may also need an MVV,an entry visa. Requirements and fees for the residence
permits may differ per citizenship. The estimated cost fora residence permit for non-EU citizens is approx. 210 Euro(per 1 January 2023). Our visa office will contact you withinformation about the application procedure and thesteps to take in order to obtain a MVV and/or residence
permit.

Housing

Housing is offered by the Maastricht University affiliate- Maastricht Housing. Prices range from 550 Euro up to
1000 Euro per month, depending on the facilities. Students can make an on-line reservation on:
www.maastrichthousing.com
Students should not wait too long with the booking; theearlier they book, the more choices they will have. In order to search for a room, the student needs to register(costs 35 Euro), and to finalize the booking, a one-monthrent deposit needs to be paid. It should be noted that it iseasier to extend a stay than to shorten it. Once a student
has made a reservation at the Guesthouse it is NOT possible to get a refund if the student leaves early.
Students who do not wish to live in the Guesthouse cancheck: www.housinganywhere.com and the UCM Semester Abroad Facebook group for rooms sublet by students who are going on a semester abroad. UCM cannot
guarantee any of these rooms for services, facilities orsafety issues.

Health Insurance

It is compulsory for all international students studying at
a Dutch university to have an adequate health and liability insurance during their stay. We strongly advise students with pre-existing conditions to verify if their current health insurance will cover any specialized help thatis required while abroad. If this isn’t the case please look
into an additional health insurance so you can request
professional help when needed.

ArrivalArrival directions can be found at: www.ucm.nl/exchange
under the header “General Information”. Exchange students should arrive before the introduction program starts(see below). Universalis, UCM’s study association, organizes
a pick-up service from the central railway station in Maastricht. Students will be contacted well in advance by a Universalis member, with instructions how to request a pick up.

Introduction program

In the Fall semester, two different introduction programs
are organized.
The UCM 3-day introduction program is OBLIGATORY
for students and free of charge. The first day of Fall introduction is Monday 26 August 2024. Students should
arrive no later than Sunday 25 August 2024. For Springsemester only the 3-day UCM introduction program is organized and starts on Monday 27 January 2025. Students
should be in Maastricht by Sunday 26 January 2025.
The INKOM program is organized for all freshmen students in Maastricht. This INKOM program is NOT part of
the UCM introduction program and also NOT obligatory
but exchange students are welcome to attend. For more
information: https://en.inkom.nl/

Maastricht University is a young research university(established in 1976). It currently has about 15,000 students
and over 3,500 faculty and staff members.
In 2013 UM was granted institutional accreditation and
Maastrichta distinctive University
feature for internationalization from theMaastricht
is a young
research(esNVAO; this University
is an important
recognitionof university
the UM quality
tablishedin1976).
It
currently
has
about
16,000students
assurance system applied to all study programs and theandoverfocus
4,000onfacultyand staff members.
specialinternationalizationthat has long been
In
2013
UM
was
grantedaccreditation
anda key point of attentioninstitutionalfor UM. Maastricht
University
ais distinctive
featureforinternationalizationfromthe
an official member of the Worldwide Universities
NVAO;
this
is
an
importantrecognition
of
the
UM
quality
Network (WUN). The WUN comprises 19 research-intensive
assurancesystemappliedto all study
theinstitutions
spanning
6 continents.
The programs
WUN aimsand
to create
specialfocus
oninternationalization
that
has
long
been
multilateral opportunities for international collaborationain
key
point andof attention
UM. Maastricht University is an
research
graduatefor
education.
official member of the Worldwide Universities Network(WUN).
WUN
comprises
19 research-intensive
UCM is The
a smallacademiccommunity
where studentsinsti(600)tutions
spanning
6
continents.
The
WUN
to create
and teachers know each other well. There isaims
no anonymous
multilateral
opportunities
for international
collaboration
mass teachingat UCM. Students
study in aninternational
inresearch
andgraduate
education.
atmosphere where more than 40 different nationalities
UCM
is a small Its
academiccommunity
where
studentsof
are represented.
international
characteris a hallmark
(600)
and
teachers
know
each
other
well.
There
is no
University College Maastricht.
anonymous
mass
teaching
at
UCM.
Students
studyinEachan
UCM is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences.
international
atmosphere
where
more
than
50
different
faculty provides a wide range of bachelor, master, graduate
nationalities
are represented.
and post-graduate
programs. Its international characteris a hallmark of University College Maastricht.

Maastricht University has been an important factor in
the city’s recent development. Although Maastricht is not
a very big city (125,000 inhabitants), it is usually buzzing
with people day and night, many of whom are students.
Studyin numerous
Holland shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, pubs,
There areGeneralinformation
about studying
clubs, galleries and theatres
to enjoy.in The Netherlands canbe found at: www.studyin.nl and http://mymaastricht.nl

Study in Holland

General information about studying in The Netherlands
can be found at: www.studyin.nl.

LondonAmsterdam

BerlinMaastricht

Brussels
Paris

Maastricht University

UCM is one of the divisions of the Faculty of Science andFaculty of Arts
and Social
Sciences
Engineering.
Eachfaculty
at Maastricht University proSchool
Business
andofEconomics
vides
a of
wide
range
bachelor, master, graduate andpost-graduate
programs.
Faculty of Health,
Medicine and Life Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Sciences
Maastricht University
Faculty of Law
Facultyand Social
FacultyofofArtsPsychology
andSciences
Neuroscience
School of Business and Economics

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences

Maastricht

Commerce, industrial manufacturing and service are theMaastricht
gainedinternational
fame as the host of themost importantsectors
in Maastricht.
European Summit of 1991 where the ‘Treaty of Maastricht’
was adopted as the formal foundation of the European
Union. The city has a reputation of being a little foreign
even in its own country. Many tourists visit Maastricht togo shopping or taste the Burgundian, flamboyant atmosphere. Commerce, industrial manufacturing and service
are the most important sectors in Maastricht. Maastricht
University has been an important factor in the city’s recent development. Although Maastricht is not a very
big city (125,000 inhabitants), it is usually buzzing withwww.maastrichtuniversity.nl
peopleday and night, many of whom are students. There
are numerous shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, pubs, clubs,
galleries and theatres to enjoy.

Mrs.
BrandtandandMrs.
Mrs.Sonja
SuzanneBeckers
Mrs.Sylvia
Ina Engelen
TigelaarInternational
Relations
OfficeInternational Relations Office
University
UniversityCollege
CollegeMaastricht
Maastricht
PO
Box
616
PO Box 616
6200
6200MD
MDMaastricht
Maastricht
The
Netherlands
The Netherlands
Email:
Email:
ucm-iro-incoming@maastrichtuniversity.nl
ucm-international@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Tel. +31 43 3885475 / +31 43 3885197
Visiting
Fax +31 address:
43 3884882
University College Maastricht
Zwingelput
4
Visiting address:
6211
KH
Maastricht
University College Maastricht
The
Netherlands
Zwingelput
46211 KH Maastricht
Moreinformation to be found on:
The Netherlands
www.ucm.nl/exchange
Find
on Facebook:Moreusinformation
to be found on:
Maastricht
University UCM Semester Abroadwww.ucm.nl/exchange
Find
Findususon
onInstagram:
Facebook:
University
Maastricht
MaastrichtCollege
University
UCM Semester Abroadwww.maastrichtuniversity.nl

Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University isa stimulating environment. Where research and teaching arecomplementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent
can flourish. A truly student oriented research university.

CBS 9617 Print & Design Canon Business Services

Faculty of Science and EngineeringThe
Roman city of Maastricht is the oldest in The Netherlands.
of Law around 50 BC when the Romans set up camp
ItFaculty
was founded
Faculty
Psychology
Neuroscienceonthe ofbanksof theandriver
Maas. Maastricht combines ahistoric setting with a strong international orientation. The
city is located in the southernmost part of The Netherlands
Maastrichtclose to the German and Belgian borders with cities such as
The
Roman
ofonlyMaastricht
is therideoldestin The NethBrussels
andcityParisa short train
away.
erlands. It was founded around 50 BC when the Romans
set
up campgainedon theinternationalbanks of the fameriver Maas.
Maastricht
as theMaastricht
host of the
combinesahistoric
settingwithastrongEuropean Summit of 1991 where the ‘Treatyinternationalof Maastricht’orientation.
The
locatedfoundationin the southernmostpart
was adopted
ascitytheisformalof the EuropeanofThe
Netherlands
close
to
the
GermanandBelgianborUnion. The city has a reputation of being a little foreign
ders
with
citiessuch
asBrussels
and
Paris
only
a
short
even in its own country. Many tourists visit Maastricht to go
train
ride away.
shopping
or taste the Burgundian, flamboyant atmosphere.

Contact
Contactinformation
information