🌍Maastricht University

Maastricht, Netherlands

QS World 2026 · #258

The Netherlands' most internationally-oriented university, using small-group Problem-Based Learning throughout.

About Maastricht

Maastricht has the highest proportion of international students of any Dutch university, and it teaches almost entirely through Problem-Based Learning — small tutorial groups working through real-world cases rather than lectures, a structure applied university-wide rather than just in Medicine. Its location near the Belgian and German borders reinforces its cross-border, international character.

Why students choose it

  • Highest proportion of international students of any Dutch university
  • University-wide Problem-Based Learning, not just in Medicine
  • Cross-border location near Belgium and Germany

🎓 Free application support for Maastricht

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Maastricht — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€13,000–€17,000/yr

high tier for Netherlands — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English — the large majority of Bachelor's programmes are taught in English (problem-based learning model).

Campus

city campus, Maastricht

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Maastricht's financial aid office.

The Netherlands has a well-known joint government/university scholarship for non-EEA students, alongside a growing number of individual university excellence scholarships.

  • Holland Scholarship: Jointly funded by the Dutch government and participating universities, for non-EEA students — a one-off award (not full funding), available for eligible Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
  • University excellence scholarships: e.g. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Utrecht Excellence Scholarship — merit-based, varying in coverage from partial to full tuition, offered independently by individual universities.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

European Studies

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Liberal Arts

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · University-run decentralised selection (motivation, skills assessment, interview) rather than a single national test

Psychology

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: A science or Mathematics recommended

Durations are typical for Netherlands — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
1 May (general deadline)
Note
Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 90–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Maastricht ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder to see whether Maastricht is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Netherlands university that matches.

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More Netherlands universities

Maastricht FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Maastricht as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Maastricht?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Maastricht expects around AAB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Maastricht's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Maastricht's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Maastricht cost for international students?

International tuition at Maastricht typically falls in the €13,000–€17,000/yr range (high tier for Netherlands). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Maastricht's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Maastricht?

Maastricht follows Netherlands's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due 1 may (general deadline). Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January. Always verify the exact date on Maastricht's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Maastricht?

Netherlands universities, including Maastricht, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Maastricht known for?

The Netherlands' most internationally-oriented university, using small-group Problem-Based Learning throughout. Maastricht has the highest proportion of international students of any Dutch university, and it teaches almost entirely through Problem-Based Learning — small tutorial groups working through real-world cases rather than lectures, a structure applied university-wide rather than just in Medicine. Its location near the Belgian and German borders reinforces its cross-border, international character.

Can I apply to Maastricht with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Maastricht accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Maastricht and every other Netherlands university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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