University College Maastricht

Unique study opportunities

• Explore new ways of research and learning through peer, staff, and faculty collaboration.
• Engage in a research project or get an introduction to brand marketing.
• Pursue courses in your major that offer skills training, projects, or specialized instruction for international students.

Language

Language Study: Optional

You can study Dutch language during the semester. Dutch language courses are 3 quarter/2 semester units and may be taken in addition to your regular course load.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

• Take a full-time course of study: Four courses for a total of 24 quarter/16 semester UC units. Two courses per block.
• You may take one course per semester for pass/no pass credit.

Skills and language study courses are worth fewer units and may be taken only in addition to your four 6-unit courses.

Current Program Courses

Each semester is divided into two blocks and you will take two courses per block.

Over 120 courses of study are available in the humanities, social sciences, and life sciences. In particular, UCM has excellent course offerings in art history, business administration, biology, communication, computer science, economics, environmental studies, history, media studies, international studies, legal studies, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Courses are taught at three levels. Level 1 courses are Introductory and have no prerequisites. They are mostly lower-division with only a few upper-division options. Level 2 courses are Intermediate, most are upper-division and will have prerequisites. Level 3 courses are Advanced courses and should only be taken within your major. They are upper-division and will have prerequisites. 

Research

If you’re a year participant, undergraduate research projects are available for academic credit as part of the Maastricht Research Based Learning (MaRBLe) program​. Projects are set up before departure and details are typically finalized after arrival.

Independent study and internships are not available on this program.

Catalogs and resources

• University College Maastricht Course Catalog: On the right-hand side of the page, click on the green box that says "Download now (pdf)" to access the full course catalog. Be sure to read the information on the introductory pages. Fall courses are Period 1 and Period 2; Spring courses are Period 4 and Period 5.
• MaRBLe program​: Year participants can explore research opportunities through the Maastricht Research Based Learning program.
• University College Maastricht comparison: Compare UCM with other Dutch universities available through UCEAP.
• 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

You will register for courses directly with UCM prior to departure. 

Courses at Maastricht 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.

The core of PBL is the tutorial that meets for two hours twice a week. You will analyze problems from the Block Book, which provides you with tasks, study material, and learning goals. The group will then disperse and you can work to reach these goals individually or with others. Study hours each week are intensive. In each tutorial meeting, you will discuss the results of your study activities and actively participate in group discussions. A tutor, usually a lecturer or a senior student, also attends the meetings and serves as a subject expert. The tutor may guide the discussion whenever it is needed.

You will find that the final exams for Maastricht courses emphasize the entire reading list provided in the Block Book for each course. Many exams test your understanding of complicated theories and models covered only in that reading and not in group projects or discussion.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for the fall semester are typically available by mid-April and grades for the spring semester are typically available by early September.

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.