Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences

In this six-week summer program at Maastricht University, you can have an authentic European study experience with the comforts of learning in English. This program’s exciting lineup of course topics complement most majors while adding an international element and learning environment. Depending on your course selection, you might explore Europe’s politics, business world, health systems, or its vast variety of peoples and cultures.

Unique study opportunities

  • Attend interactive, small classes with peers from all over the world.
  • Get hands-on experiences such as field trips and on-site seminars in every class.
  • Discuss business challenges with local entrepreneurs.
  • Take classes on positive psychology or developmental neuropsychology.
  • Examine the Dutch Golden Age through a lecture and museum tour of the actual artwork.
  • Learn marketing skills for the 21st century.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Language Study: None

Dutch language courses are not available.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take two courses for a total of 10 quarter/6.6 semester UC units.
  • You can take one course pass/no pass.

Current Program Courses

The summer term is divided into two blocks of three weeks each. You will take one course per block. Course topics rotate regularly, but recent offerings include:

  • Law and Politics in the EU
  • Positive Psychology
  • Psychology in Our World
  • Leadership and Management
  • Business Strategy in the European Luxury Industry
  • History Great Power System
  • Global Journalism
  • Dutch Art History
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Digital Mental Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Global Power Dynamics

All courses on this program are at the upper-division level.

Research, independent study, and internships are typically not available on this program.

Catalogs and resources

  • Maastricht University Summer European Studies Catalog: Click on the course title for a full course description.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Courses at Maastricht University do not follow a traditional lecture format. Instead, you’ll experience the university’s distinctive problem-based learning methodology on par with graduate seminar work at UC. You’ll work in small groups (10–12 students) on tasks and set your own learning objectives based on your background, education, and work experience. Learning in this system takes a thematic, interdisciplinary approach to combine both theory and practice. It builds individual initiative and collaborative project management skills.

You will register for courses prior to departure as part of your application to the Maastricht University Summer Program. 

Exam methods vary by course, but most require a written or oral exam at the end of the course. Your evaluation may also be based on a combination of a paper, class participation and presentations, case studies, and a final exam. Retaking exams is unfortunately not an option. You can find assessment information for courses in the block book.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for this program are typically available in early October.