University College Maastricht - 早稲田大学 is University College Maastricht? University College...

Maastricht University, The Netherlands

University College Maastricht

2 Bachelor programme in Liberal Arts & Sciences

Liberal Arts & SciencesUniversity College Maastricht

University College Maastricht (UCM) is a Liberal Arts & Sciences College of Maastricht University.It offers you every possible opportunity to develop your talents, explore your interests and realize your academic goals. UCM offers so many courses that you can study almost any discipline. At the same time, you can complement the discipline of your choice with other subjects that interest you. At UCM you study in an international environment with students from about 50 different countries. This unique program gives you access to a wide range of master’s programs.

UCM offers a bachelor’s program that will challenge you. It requires commitment to high academic standards, and the ambition to excel in your studies. At UCM, you are not impeded by the traditional boundaries between disciplines and you are part of a small, close-knit community. The College aims to give new life to the ideal of an academic community.

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What is University College Maastricht? University College Maastricht offers a bachelor’s programentirely taught in English. It is meant for students with broad academic interests who do not want to limit themselves to a single academic discipline. UCM offers about 150 courses in almost all academic disciplines. Each semester you construct your own program from the courses offered. At the end of the first year you pick one of the three concentrations: Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences. Of course, you do not choose courses randomly. Together with your academic advisor, you plan your curriculum to fit with your future ambitions.

Next to courses within your academic discipline, you alsofollow an extensive skills training program. You learn howto conduct scientific research, present ideas in a clear andpersuasive way, and improve your writing and debating skills. The College also offers you the opportunity to learn a foreign language.

The workload at UCM is higher than in other universityprograms. However, as you are responsible for choosing thecourses you enroll in, you are more motivated to make themost of your studies.

Maastricht University

Established in 1976, Maastricht University (UM), the most international university in the Netherlands, stands out for its innovative approach to learning and international outlook. With 15,000 students and 3,500 staff, UM offers a wide choice of academic programmes, all of which are designed to bring out the best in its students. University College Maastricht is an integral part of Maastricht University. Students have access to all the facilities of UM, however are also part of the close UCM community.


University College Maastricht

‘Excellent’ program In the fall of 2006, UCM’s accreditation was up for renewal. An independent, international panel of experts in Liberal Arts and Sciences gave UCM high grades for its teaching and the quality of its program. The panel was especially impressed by the overall structure of the academic program and the quality of the graduates. They graded both of these as excellent. Such grades are quite exceptional in the Dutch system of accreditation, and place UCM among the top bachelor’s programs in the Netherlands. In spring 2008 UCM was the first bachelor’s program in the Netherlands to be awarded a certificate of exceptional quality by the NVAO (the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization).

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The city of Maastricht

Founded by the Romans, Maastricht is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. With its striking modern buildings, 17th century townhouses, cobblestone streets and charming squares, Maastricht is a haven for people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Maastricht is only a few hours away from European capitals such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, London and Berlin. With a population of around 120,000, the city attracts countless foreign visitors. Combine this with the more than 6,500 international students and you will see why the city has a truly international atmosphere.

UCM Building

UCM is located in a former medieval convent. This historical environment, combined with modern architecture and facili-ties, guarantees a unique atmosphere that fosters the vibrant academic community and buzzing student life.

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What can I study at UCM?Below are the disciplines you can study at UCM. Each discipline represents a large number of courses. You can also combine these disciplines. For example, economics and political science, or philosophy and history, or computer science and life science. It is this flexibility that makes the College program especially attractive.

Social Sciences• Economics and Business Administration• Sociology• Political Science• International Relations• Public Administration• International Law• Psychology• Statistics

Humanities• History• Cultural Studies• Arts and Literature• Philosophy

Sciences• Computer Science / Informatics• Mathematics / Physics• Chemistry• Biology• Micro Biology• Cognitive Neuroscience• Genetics


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“ Events like the Open Mic Night are characteristic for UCM and its students: a cozy atmosphere, the crowded common room, students singing in different languages and the Dean sitting at the side of the staircase watching the performances.”

Franziska Salzer (German), 3rd year UCM student


The concentration

At UCM, you can choose between three concentrations: Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences. A concentration consists of a large number of courses spread over several related academic disciplines. Within your concentration you gain specialized knowledge that enables you to enroll in a master’s program after graduation. By focusing your courses on specific disciplines, you customize your program. For example, your profile could include economics, law and international relations, or sciences and psychology or cultural studies and history.

During your first year at the College, you explore which concentration you would like to choose by taking courses in academic disciplines that interest you. When you decide upon a concentration, you begin to acquire more in-depth knowledge of a particular discipline. This structure guarantees that you gain enough expert knowledge to successfully apply for the master’s program of your choice. After three years at the College you receive an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science diploma, enabling you to enroll in master’s programs all over the world.

The academic core

In addition to the courses in the concentrations, every UCM student has to complete the ‘academic core’. The academic core consists of four courses that give you the fundamental knowledge any educated person should have. You learn about the basic principles of scientific research, the major political issues of our time, historical developments in the world over the last 50 years, and why abstract concepts and models are vital in science.

In addition, to broaden your horizons, all students must take four courses outside their concentration to learn how people in other academic areas think and work.

The Program

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Skills training and projects

Academic skills are essential to a successful career. Writing reports and papers, planning and conducting research, formulating a policy plan or persuading people in a debate are all important academic skills. Learning and improving such skills is a central part of the UCM program; each semester you learn a different set of skills. During the final month of each semester you participate in a project in which small groups of students work together to apply your acquired skills to topics taken from your courses.

The ‘capstone’

The ‘capstone’ is a special project you do right before you graduate. You finish this project with a thesis in which you deal with a topic that requires you to use all the knowledge and skills you have acquired at the College. An expert in your field acts as your supervisor.

The academic advisor

Students at UCM have the freedom to choose their own courses and build their own curriculum. While this allows you to create a program that really fits your academic and professional ambitions, it also means you have a lot of responsibility for your own learning process. Which courses should you take? What concentration will work best for you? What do you want to do after UCM? From the beginning of your studies at UCM your personal academic advisor will help you with these questions. Your academic advisor is a staff member of Maastricht University and with him or her you discuss all your important academic decisions. So, though at UCM the decisions are always yours, you are not on your own when you make them.


Problem-Based Learning

Maastricht University has used Problem-Based Learning (PBL) ever since it was founded and has been a leader in this field for over 35 years. PBL is more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s about exchanging knowledge in a challenging and effective way. In a Problem-Based Learning environment students are personally responsible for their academic education. In small tutorial groups, they analyse problems that are also central to the research carried out at Maastricht University. They conduct discussions, exchange knowledge and formulate their learning goals as a group. This motivates them to do research themselves.

All teaching at University College Maastricht uses Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Students work in small tutorial groups (12 students maximum) on an academic or practical problem. In these groups you have intensive contact with both students and staff. The number of hours in class varies from 12 to 14 hours a week. You spend the remaining time on self-study (preparing for the next class, writing papers, assignments, etc.). PBL is student-centered, meaning that even though your teachers help you along, you are in charge of the learning process. This increases your motivation and gets you thoroughly interested in the subject matter.

Active learning

By actively addressing a number of issues, students better grasp the theory and learn to apply their insights to various questions. The variety of perspectives enlivens the discussions and allows students to make use of the group’s cultural diversity. Moreover, they gain essential skills, such as presenting viewpoints, debating, writing texts and working together.

Continuous assessment

At UCM, your grades never depend on a single exam at the end of a course. Continuous assessment is central to the examination system at UCM, and teachers may make use of a whole range of assessment methods. In most courses you must write a paper or give a presentation. Your contributions to the tutorial groups may also count towards your grade. There might also be a final exam, which usually consists of essay questions. Because your progress is assessed on a continuous basis, you will always know whether your work is up to par. Regular feedback allows you to adjust your study habits if necessary and continuous assessment helps you to keep up with your work.

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“ Looking back, the multidisciplinary education offered at UCM has helped me become a well-rounded professional able to approach an issue or problem from various perspectives. I believe this is crucial to any person or organization that strives to understand and address the problems that matter on a global scale.”

Bernard Gouw (Dutch), UCM alumnus currently working for Oxfam

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“ At University College Maastricht we offer students a vibrant international community where they have the opportunity to discover their talents,

broaden and deepen their knowledge, and develop academic and life skills. I believe we have created an environment that is both intellectually and socially stimulating. Every day I see that students fl ourish in this environment and I’m impressed with their personal growth during their years at UCM.”


Professor Harm Hospers, Dean

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A semester abroad

UCM provides students with a wonderful opportunity to study a semester abroad at internationally well renowned universities all over the world. UCM’s semester abroad program includes universities on all continents, for example the University of California, Australian National University in Canberra, Singapore Management University and the University of Helsinki. Of all eligible students 90% go to the destination of their first choice. A financial support system is available. Around 80% of our students spend half a year studying abroad. Going on a semester abroad not only is an exciting and challenging personal experience, it will also enable a student to grow academically. UCM’s partner universities offer a wide range of courses which allow you to complement your academic knowledge and skills, and to establish professional opportunities through networking.

UCM Life Sciences

Are you interested in doing medical research? A science concentration at UCM offers you the opportunity to enroll in several research master’s programs in the medical field. If you complete 90 ECTS of coursework in the Life Sciences, your bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) will make you eligible for highly selective master’s programs like the four-year Medical Doctor-Clinical Researcher (A-KO) program at Maastricht University. (Please note that the A-KO program is a very demanding, Dutch-language research master’s program focusing on the interface between medical practice and research.)

After UCM

After completing the three year program you will receive an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science diploma. This wraps up the first phase of your academic studies. You might choose to leave the university and get a job, traineeship or internship, or you can apply for a master’s program in the Netherlands or abroad. Which programs you qualify for depends on the courses you took during your bachelor’s program.

Binding Study Advice (BSA)At University College Maastricht you must obtain a minimum of 45 credits (ECTS) out of the 60 possible during your first year. If you do not meet this standard you cannot continue your studies at UCM, and you will not be allowed to return for a period of six years.

With the help of your academic advisor you will compose a program matching the master’s you want to enroll in. Graduates of UCM have enrolled in all sorts of master’s programs including programs at the University of Oxford, Columbia University (New York), Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore), the London School of Economics, University College London, the University of Warwick, and the Freie Universität Berlin, to name but a few.

With your UCM diploma, the whole world is open to you!

Skills that last a lifetime

Problem Based Learning is highly effective, as can be seen from the achievements of our graduates. In the labor market they are considered independent, assertive professionals, to whom analyzing problems, structuring information, working as part of an inter-national team, conducting and leading discussions and presenting ideas is second nature. They are professionals who are able to move easily from education to a career because their training has provided them with the qualities and knowledge essential to their field. At UCM, they’ve gained experience in analyzing real-life issues, structuring information, working in (international) teams and giving presentations. These skills set them apart in whatever they choose to do after UCM.

Application and admissions

UCM offers a program that is different to most university programs. Hence, the College looks for students that fit this unique program. If you are a motivated, hard-working student with serious academic ambitions, who loves debates and discussions and is interested in interdisciplinary education, you are the kind of student UCM is looking for. To assess your suitability for the program UCM has a selective admissions procedure. After applying online suitable candidates will be invited for an interview.

Whether you are accepted or not will be decided by the Board of Admissions afterwards. This decision will be based on your individual letter of motivation, the personal interview and your grades. The complete admissions procedure is available at www.ucm.nl/admissions.

And now...To learn more about University College Maastricht, visit our website www.ucm.nl. For an overall impression of the College you can visit one of our Bachelor’s Open Days, or participate in an Experience Day. You can also phone us at +31 43 388 5698 or email us with your questions at [email protected].


“ Attending the experience day at UCM turned out to be one of the best choices I have ever made. The clear explanation, the enthusiasm of the students, the good organization and the example PBL-session we had then, made me extremely enthusiastic.”

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Laure van Waardenburg (Dutch), 3rd year UCM student

Contact informationUniversity College MaastrichtP.O. Box 6166200 MD MaastrichtThe Netherlands

Phone: +31 43 388 5698E-mail: [email protected]: www.ucm.nl

Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University is a stimulating environment. Where research and teaching are complementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent can fl ourish. A truly student oriented research university.

www.ucm.nl

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