Netherlands · Limburg
Study in Maastricht in English: Europe’s most international university town
Maastricht is the Netherlands’ most international university town. Maastricht University (UM) teaches almost entirely in English and is built around problem-based learning (PBL) - small tutorial groups instead of big lectures - which draws students from across the world. It is strong in business and economics, European studies and law, and the health and life sciences. Sitting right where the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet, it offers a compact, safe, genuinely international student-town experience rather than a megacity.
Why Maastricht
A self-contained, international student town with a distinctive way of teaching.
- Maastricht University: the most international university in the Netherlands, with the large majority of students from abroad
- Problem-based learning (PBL): small tutorial groups, discussion and projects rather than lectures - active, English-medium teaching from day one
- Strong in business and economics (the School of Business and Economics), European studies and law, and the health and life sciences
- A compact, safe, postcard town in the Euregio, right on the border with Belgium and Germany
Universities & English-taught programmes
Distinctive strengths and a teaching style worth choosing for in its own right.
- Nearly all bachelor’s and master’s are taught in English - one of the most fully English-medium universities in Europe
- Internationally minded programmes in international business, economics, European studies, law, psychology and the health/life sciences
- Problem-based learning means small groups, lots of contact time and skills employers value - communication, teamwork and self-direction
- Curriculum flexibility: a cross-border setting, exchange options and strong links to EU institutions for European-studies and law students
Career prospects & ROI
An international profile and EU links that open doors across the continent.
- Industry connections: international business, consulting, EU institutions and the cross-border Euregio job market recruit UM graduates
- The PBL approach and an internship-friendly curriculum build a practical, employer-ready CV
- Post-study work: the one-year orientation year (zoekjaar) to find work or start a business after graduating
- A nearly all-English, internationally recognised degree from the country’s most international university is highly portable
Cost of living in Maastricht
Estimates for the 2026 academic yearA student in Maastricht should budget around 1.105 € a month. The heaviest line by far is rent: a room in a shared flat goes for about 500 €, and most land between 400 € and 640 €.
- Room in a shared flat usually 400 € – 640 €
- 500 €
- Food and groceries
- 280 €
- Student travel pass
- 55 €
- Health insurance
- 60 €
- Phone, internet, electricity
- 80 €
- Books, sport, going out
- 130 €
- Monthly total
- 1.105 €
Ranked 1 of 4 on cost among the cities we cover in Netherlands, cheapest first.
What things cost here, against the EU
Across the whole shopping basket Netherlands sits at 121.0, where the EU average is 100 (2024).
EU average = 100
Consumer prices rose 3.0% over 2025.
Where these numbers come from
The monthly budget is our own estimate, compiled from what student unions, universities and national student services publish. Use it to plan with — it is not a quote.
The price levels, inflation and rent figures are published statistics: Eurostat purchasing power parities and, for German states, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
Success stories
Students who crossed the bridge
“I wasted a year trying alone. After the strategy call I knew exactly which documents I was missing - three months later I had my admission.”Read full story →
“They prepared my visa file so well the interview took ten minutes. They even helped my parents understand the blocked account.”Read full story →
“With the VIP pack I arrived in Finland with my room, bank account and even my airport pickup organised. I just had to study.”Read full story →
What it costs
A genuinely international education at student-town prices.
- Tuition for non-EU/EEA students: roughly €9,000–€16,000 a year for a bachelor’s and €13,000–€20,000 for a master’s
- Living costs: about €900–€1,200/month - one of the more affordable Dutch student cities, with student housing and shared flats the cheapest option
- Proof of funds for the visa: roughly €14,000 for the year (about €1,150/month); the university acts as your recognised sponsor for the entry visa (MVV) and residence permit
- Part-time work: up to 16 hours a week in term (or full-time in June–August) with an employer work permit (TWV); budget about €50–€140/month for health insurance
Life, safety & culture
Compact, international and built around the university, with three countries on the doorstep.
- Daily language is Dutch; the student community is overwhelmingly international and everyday university life runs in English - a little Dutch helps off campus
- A small, walkable, bike-friendly town - everything is close, and Belgium and Germany are minutes away
- Very safe and student-oriented, with strong healthcare covered by Dutch or international student insurance
- One of the most international student communities in Europe, with active student and diaspora associations
How to apply & the bureaucracy
Maastricht University applies through Studielink and its own portal - start early.
- Apply via Studielink and the UM admissions system; non-EU deadlines are typically around 1 April for a bachelor’s and earlier for many master’s - check each programme
- English-taught programmes accept IELTS or TOEFL; bachelor’s usually need IELTS 6.0–6.5 and master’s 6.5, with the exact score on the programme page
- Some programmes use selection or a fixed (numerus fixus) 15 January deadline - confirm whether yours is one
- Once admitted, the university files your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit as a recognised sponsor; allow several weeks and prepare proof of funds early
Read these guides next
Want UniBridgeEurope to do all of this for you?
We take African students from first choice to arrival in Europe: university shortlist, applications, student visa, flights, bank account and housing. Start with a €99 strategy call, or choose the package that comes with an admission guarantee.