Maastricht Science Programme

Overview

Are you interested in the natural sciences and want to look beyond the boundaries of a single discipline? Or do you want to focus on one discipline and become an expert in that specific field? The Maastricht Science Programme from Maastricht University offers you the opportunity to explore the natural sciences and to build a unique academic profile based on your personal interests and ambitions.

Open curriculum

• physics 
• chemistry
• mathematics
• biology
• neuroscience
• interdisciplinary courses such as biomedical engineering, biobased materials, regenerative medicine etc.

Academic advising - We support you 

We understand that the freedom to design your own curriculum can be a bit overwhelming. Which courses should I choose? Should I pursue other academic options like studying abroad for one semester? How to prepare for further studies? Just a few examples of questions that you could come across during your time at Maastricht Science Programme. We will help you find the answers. 

At the start of your study, you will meet your dedicated academic advisor. Your academic advisor will continuously support you in making the right choices, based on your personal interests, ambitions and progress. This does not only involve advice on curriculum choices but also help with administrative procedures such as course registration. Our academic advisors have extensive expertise and are keen on assisting you in achieving your goals.

Educational approach

At Maastricht Science Programme, we moved away from traditional teaching methods. Through our challenging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Research-Based Learning (RBL) methodologies, it is all about you and how you actively build up your knowledge and skills.

With PBL, it comes down to you and your fellow students solving complex, interdisciplinary and real-life academic problems. Through literature study and group discussion, you will discover and work with content that you determine to be necessary for solving a given problem, developing both your creative thinking skills and professional skills such as presenting, debating, writing and working together. In small groups of 14 students, you will be guided in your learning process by a tutor, who will act as both subject matter expert and facilitator. The small class size creates an environment with plenty of opportunity to interact with students and tutors, making your active participation the key to your education’s success.

For RBL, you will come up with a proposal how you would investigate a given problem. You will get hands-on experience carrying out your research at our state of the art science labs. By conducting your own research, you become rapidly acquainted with the scientific literature relevant to the topic, and you acquire the practical skills you need.

Practical skills 

We expect our students to have a strong curiosity, ready to explore the world of science. You will have plenty of time to experiment at our state-of-the-art laboratories.  

Doing research is what science is all about, but delivering your conclusions is equally important. Besides hands-on experience in the lab, you will also learn how to process your findings, write scientific reports and present your results to get your message across.

International community 

The fact that all courses are taught in English, does not solely define the international character of Maastricht Science Programme. Staff and students come from all corners of the world to study and live in Maastricht. Surrounded by all of the cultural, social, and educational events that make it such a vibrant city, you will spend most of your time with your fellow students, in class and outside.   We have set up a special student-only study and recreational area, the Common Room, where your different cultural backgrounds and interests will surely lead to interesting discussions. It is all part of the inspiring and stimulating environment we like to offer, one which not only challenges you intellectually, but also empowers your personal development.

Who are we looking for?

At Maastricht Science Programme we have a lot to offer, but expect quite a bit in return from you. Besides the obvious fascination for natural sciences, we are looking for the curious and ambitious. Students, who are enterprising, think beyond borders, are open to change, and are willing to contribute actively to our international community.   In short, we are looking for students who enrich our international community with their talents and personalities. To assess whether there is a match between your interests and what we have to offer, we have a selection process. The Board of Admissions will determine whether you are accepted as a Maastricht Science Programme student based on this selection process. For the complete application and selection procedure, please go to the admissions section on our website.