[Caramelized Lemon]

(Original post by Duncan8)
First of all, let me introduce myself! I'm a 19 year old Belgian student, living in the French part of Belgium. I always wanted to study abroad and in English specially.


During my last year of high school I quickly searched for unis in the Netherlands and came across Maastricht, 50km away from my hometown. I visited the city and instantly fell in love with it. I soon decided to apply to the faculty of law, to study European law (and after International laws). Check the faculty tour here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGGiz1lj2rk

Maastricht university also offers programs in European studies, Science, Engineering, European Public Health, International Business, Econometrics (more Finance), and Economics. The university has a Triple-crown accreditation (only a few in the world received that award including the London Business School, Warwick, ...).

So a few things I learnt about Maastricht University and Maastricht in general:

- The way of learning is a bit different: you sit in small classes and it's PBL (Problem Based Learning). I was a bit intrigued about this approach, but it turned out to improve considerably my speaking skills and I ended up studying more regularly. It works the way like that: You always have to prepare 4 to 6 tasks before the class starts and the discussion leader asks other students about them. The discussion leader is appointed by the tutor at the end of each class to prepare the next tutorial.


- Tutors are approachable. If you have a question, just shoot them an email and they sometimes will even reply you on Sunday's!


- You can do plenty of things there, ranging from sports to student associations. I have some friends who are doing some rowing on the Maas, also some are doing Thai Boxing, Kick Boxing, or other sports. It usually costs around 80 to 120€ a year. Gym is the same price. Regarding student associations, I enrolled in UNSA, it's like the Model United Nations. You prepare the big conference in Maastricht and go to Sweden, Germany, and even Israel to speak at those conferences. You also drink on a weekly basis in a relaxed environment!

- Living in Maastricht is just great. It's definitely a student city with tons of bars, restaurants everywhere and deals for students (you often get 10 to 25% off at various locations). The city atmosphere is lovely, and chill. Going out is always a great experience, even if beers are a bit expensive in pubs in the centre, you have plenty of student bars with 1€ a beer.

- I'm still amazed by the architecture. The faculties are all located in the centre but separated from each other. The Faculty of law is built in an old church but is all brand new in the inside. It's the case for all university buildings, it's hard to describe how it looks like, but stunning is a good start!

- Get a bike. There are no cars driving in the centre. No cars mean also better air! It's really peaceful to bike around the city and its cobbled streets.

- It's not cheap, but not expensive either. 1713€ are the annual tuition fees for European citizens.

- Finding a job in Maastricht? Easy bizy. I sent roughly 15 emails and got 4 job offers - at a cocktail bar, in a hostel, in a call-centre, and at Apple. I don't even speak Dutch!

- Renting a flat is not expensive either. You can find flats around the university faculties starting at 250-300€. Flats in the city centre usually are around 350-400€ for something really really decent. (I live 3 minutes by bike from the faculty in a 400€ per month room, 15sqm, with 2 other students and we have a 143sqm2 flat in total with 2 bathrooms).



Few questions: Are the courses hard? Is it interesting there? How are the girls there?:


Be prepared, you'll have to study at least a bit to pass the courses.

Last year we were around 400 students starting the European Law Bachelor and now we're a little over a 100 in the second year. I'm not a genius I can tell you and I'm now into my second year. But I had to study quite a lot for some courses, and on a regular basis (exams every two months). I also had to spend entire nights information for essays. Deadline are sometimes quite tight and you end up with no sleeping on certain days. I'd say the hardest thing when you start university is to get to know what they expect from you. You have to be serious, hard-working, and a little intelligent is always a plus!

Oh and yes, English is not my mother tongue as you can see, so that added a bit more difficulty to the whole thing.


About girls, you'll feel like being in a model show when sitting in the library (which can be slightly distracting). Dutch girls are just fantastic, and I'm not even counting International student girls. I have recently met some Finnish and Swedish girls. So yes, it's good there!

Hi duncan, first of all i'd like to thank you for this brilliant thread and replies to questions as it has really helped me flesh out more information about the university adding it to my shortlist for when i apply for 2013 entry.

There are a few questions i hope you could answer as it would help me greatly;
1. when it comes to financing studies what options are avalible to students? - i'v done some research but my findings are rather confusing.
2. Secondly, would you advise going to open days opposed to purely going to the city?
3. Finaly (This may sound not very politically correct), is the population of maastricht friendly towards people of different ethnicities? - I ask this as being part of an ethnic minority (being of indian descent), I do not want to feel isolated and alienated from peers.

Thanks again for the thread as it is an invaluable source of information.

[GeorgeN11]

I would also like to thank you for creating this thread Duncan. Very good information for someone considering studying in Maastricht.

Caramelized Lemon, I am also applying for entrance in 2013 and have been in contact with the University for almost a year now. Back and forth about the perspective or the University and also the course that i wish to study. They advised that we go to the Open Days purely because it gives us a perspective of the Problem Based Learning System ect. I am going to the open day this March and will certainly post my opinion on the thread for you to see. I am travelling from the United Kingdom.

Also just a quick question. I know many people on this thread have asked about the entry requirements. I have myself. However, does anyone who is actually at the university currently wish to share the percific results they achieved for A-Levels ect. Just as a guideline. At least then people can begin to make a judgement about whether it is only two E's needed for a place. I know that it is a lot harder than UK universities once you are in the course however i think that it would be interesting to gain some examples of successful applicants grades.

I am hoping to gain a place at Maastricht in 2013. I am currently expected to achieve 3 A/B's.

[Caramelized Lemon]

(Original post by GeorgeN11)
I would also like to thank you for creating this thread Duncan. Very good information for someone considering studying in Maastricht.

Caramelized Lemon, I am also applying for entrance in 2013 and have been in contact with the University for almost a year now. Back and forth about the perspective or the University and also the course that i wish to study. They advised that we go to the Open Days purely because it gives us a perspective of the Problem Based Learning System ect. I am going to the open day this March and will certainly post my opinion on the thread for you to see. I am travelling from the United Kingdom.

Also just a quick question. I know many people on this thread have asked about the entry requirements. I have myself. However, does anyone who is actually at the university currently wish to share the percific results they achieved for A-Levels ect. Just as a guideline. At least then people can begin to make a judgement about whether it is only two E's needed for a place. I know that it is a lot harder than UK universities once you are in the course however i think that it would be interesting to gain some examples of successful applicants grades.

I am hoping to gain a place at Maastricht in 2013. I am currently expected to achieve 3 A/B's.

Hi there GeorgeN11, i was wondering, you mentioned your going to the open day in march could you provide a bit more information or even a link as I may pursuade my mum to drive the 100's of miles to maastricht as it seems worth while, also i thought the open day in march is for 2012 entry and not for those interest in 2013 entry.

[Beethoven]

Open days aren't intake-specific, and surely you'd be as welcome as the next person. You do have the option of selecting your 'expected year of entry' when registering (it goes all the way to 2015, so you're pretty safe there), but I imagine that information would only serve for statistical purposes.

It is of course advantageous to attend an open day as close as possible to your entry year, as the information you'll receive will be more up-to-date, but attending one now could also help settling some ideas down.

You'll find more information here. The full programme booklet, however, isn't yet available (it should be within a couple of weeks, I'd say).

[BritsinMaas]

Hi guys,

I'm currently at Maastricht University - if you have any questions about studying at Maastricht feel free to IM me or DM on twitter. If you want to meet when you're here in March that's also ok.

All the best x

[Caramelized Lemon]

@beethoven; Thanks for the link and information, I may go this march but it depends on if i can get a day or two off from college. Will you also be attending this years open day?

@britsinmaas; thanks britsin , altho your gonna end up regretting the offer as i'll end up flooding your inbox with questions :P

[Duncan8]

(Original post by BritsinMaas)
Hi guys,

I'm currently at Maastricht University - if you have any questions about studying at Maastricht feel free to IM me or DM on twitter. If you want to meet when you're here in March that's also ok.

All the best x

Hey what are you studying?

[Beethoven]

(Original post by Caramelized Lemon)
@beethoven; Thanks for the link and information, I may go this march but it depends on if i can get a day or two off from college. Will you also be attending this years open day?

No, I actually attended the one they held last semester. I did find it well-organized and useful, and I got to learn a bit more about their problem-based learning system (plus, there was free coffee!).

If you really are considering studying at Maastricht, I would recommend going there this March (and also taking a stroll around the town), but then again I would say this about any other uni.

[TheHaylio]

(Original post by Duncan8)
First of all, let me introduce myself! I'm a 19 year old student from Belgium. I always wanted to study abroad and in English specially.


During my last year of high school I quickly searched for unis in the Netherlands and came across Maastricht, 50km away from my hometown. I visited the city and instantly fell in love with it. I soon decided to apply to the faculty of law, to study European law (and after International laws). Check the faculty tour here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGGiz1lj2rk

Maastricht university also offers programs in European studies, Science, Engineering, European Public Health, International Business, Econometrics (more Finance), and Economics. The university has a Triple-crown accreditation (only a few in the world received that award including the London Business School, Warwick, ...).

So a few things I learnt about Maastricht University and Maastricht in general:

- The way of learning is a bit different: you sit in small classes and it's PBL (Problem Based Learning). I was a bit intrigued about this approach, but it turned out to improve considerably my speaking skills and I ended up studying more regularly. It works the way like that: You always have to prepare 4 to 6 tasks before the class starts and the discussion leader asks other students about them. The discussion leader is appointed by the tutor at the end of each class to prepare the next tutorial.


- Tutors are approachable. If you have a question, just shoot them an email and they sometimes will even reply you on Sunday's!


- You can do plenty of things there, ranging from sports to student associations. I have some friends who are doing some rowing on the Maas, also some are doing Thai Boxing, Kick Boxing, or other sports. It usually costs around 80 to 120€ a year. Gym is the same price. Regarding student associations, I enrolled in UNSA, it's like the Model United Nations. You prepare the big conference in Maastricht and go to Sweden, Germany, and even Israel to speak at those conferences. You also drink on a weekly basis in a relaxed environment!

- Living in Maastricht is just great. It's definitely a student city with tons of bars, restaurants everywhere and deals for students (you often get 10 to 25% off at various locations). The city atmosphere is lovely, and chill. Going out is always a great experience, even if beers are a bit expensive in pubs in the centre, you have plenty of student bars with 1€ a beer.

- I'm still amazed by the architecture. The faculties are all located in the centre but separated from each other. The Faculty of law is built in an old church but is all brand new in the inside. It's the case for all university buildings, it's hard to describe how it looks like, but stunning is a good start!

- Get a bike. There are no cars driving in the centre. No cars mean also better air! It's really peaceful to bike around the city and its cobbled streets.

- It's not cheap, but not expensive either. 1713€ are the annual tuition fees for European citizens.

- Finding a job in Maastricht? Easy bizy. I sent roughly 15 emails and got 4 job offers - at a cocktail bar, in a hostel, in a call-centre, and at Apple. I don't even speak Dutch!

- Renting a flat is not expensive either. You can find flats around the university faculties starting at 250-300€. Flats in the city centre usually are around 350-400€ for something really really decent. (I live 3 minutes by bike from the faculty in a 400€ per month room, 15sqm, with 2 other students and we have a 143sqm2 flat in total with 2 bathrooms).



Few questions: Are the courses hard? Is it interesting there? How are the girls there?:


Be prepared, you'll have to study at least a bit to pass the courses.

Last year we were around 400 students starting the European Law Bachelor and now we're a little over a 130 in the second year. I'm not a genius I can tell you and I'm now into my second year. But I had to study quite a lot for some courses, and on a regular basis (exams every two months). I also had to spend entire nights information for essays. Deadline are sometimes quite tight and you end up with no sleeping on certain days. I'd say the hardest thing when you start university is to get to know what they expect from you. You have to be serious, hard-working, and a little intelligent is always a plus!

Oh and yes, English is not my mother tongue as you can see, so that added a bit more difficulty to the whole thing.

Hi!

I'm looking to do the Econometrics or Business Economics course at Maastricht. I have a couple of questions:

1. What is there in regards to student finance for EU nationals? Is there a tuition fee loan?
2. It says on the website there is 40 hours of study a week, is it possible to fit in a job around this?
3. You said the level of work is intense. Is it manageable? Say if you got ABB at A-level?

Thanks you very much - i'm really interested in going! Are there ANY downsides to it?

[TheHaylio]

(Original post by munwaiwurm)
business and economics im originally from germany but moved to england to study but maastricht is very a very good university
so are you a student there?

Is the course good? I'm trying to decided between that, and the Econometrics one!

[Duncan8]

(Original post by TheHaylio)
Is the course good? I'm trying to decided between that, and the Econometrics one!

Check this video for the econometrics coure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BerpIiIQ5Q8


Otherwise


1. What is there in regards to student finance for EU nationals? Is there a tuition fee loan? I don't know about loans... But if you work 8 hours a WEEK for 3 months, after that you receive roughly 280€/month from the government (it's a grant, not a loan so you don't have to pay it back!)

2. It says on the website there is 40 hours of study a week, is it possible to fit in a job around this? Yes many people do this!

3. You said the level of work is intense. Is it manageable? Say if you got ABB at A-level? If you work and are motivated, it's always manageable, don't worry!

[TheHaylio]

(Original post by Duncan8)
Check this video for the econometrics coure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BerpIiIQ5Q8


Otherwise


1. What is there in regards to student finance for EU nationals? Is there a tuition fee loan? I don't know about loans... But if you work 8 hours a WEEK for 3 months, after that you receive roughly 280€/month from the government (it's a grant, not a loan so you don't have to pay it back!)

2. It says on the website there is 40 hours of study a week, is it possible to fit in a job around this? Yes many people do this!

3. You said the level of work is intense. Is it manageable? Say if you got ABB at A-level? If you work and are motivated, it's always manageable, don't worry!

Thanks for the response

I watched the video - it looks great!
Was wondering if you could explain the PBL system and how it works? With like an example? It's just i don't think i can make the open day as i'd be coming all the way from England!

So if you work 8 hours a week in say, a cafe the goverment give you money too? Even for EU nationals? Do you have to continue the job to keep getting the money?

- Are there any downsides to the Uni in your opinion?

Thank you very, very much!

[Duncan8]

(Original post by TheHaylio)
Thanks for the response

I watched the video - it looks great!
Was wondering if you could explain the PBL system and how it works? With like an example? It's just i don't think i can make the open day as i'd be coming all the way from England!

So if you work 8 hours a week in say, a cafe the goverment give you money too? Even for EU nationals? Do you have to continue the job to keep getting the money?

- Are there any downsides to the Uni in your opinion?

Thank you very, very much!

Hey basically at the beginning of the course (a bit before), you receive a course book. You usually follow 2 courses per period of 7 weeks. Each worth 6 credits.

In the course book you have roughly one tutorial of 2 hours and one lecture of 2 hours per course.. So roughly 8 hours of class a week (really not a lot as you can see). The course is therefore divided in 7 sessions.

For each session you have to prepare a couple of tasks.. These tasks are real life scenarios that could happen, you have to solve them using the literature, etc. It takes quite a long time to read all the literature and to solve the cases.

Once you have solved the cases you go to the tutorial and discuss them. Most of the time a discussion leader is appointed by the tutor who asks other students about the case, their opinion, etc..

After the class is finished, there is a pre-discussion about the tasks/cases of the following cases. The pre-discussion includes a research of "learning goals" for each tasks... You'll have to answer these learning goals along with the task questions. Sometimes there are only learning goals and sometimes there are only task questions..

If you are the discussion leader you will have to ask other students to find learning goals!


Oh yeah.. And if you work in a cafe or something, as long as it is no "black money" the government can give you money.. as long as you keep working and have proved that u have worked for at least 8 hours a week during 3 months


Downsides of the uni? Dutch bureaucracy, they take a lot of time to process things sometimes, they have silly rules (for example u cannot follow as many courses as you wish too, sometimes if you fail something the year before, you can only take the resit the year after, ...), otherwise I don't see any more downsides.. The teaching quality is really good there!


Hope I answered enough, otherwise don't worry to ask for more information!

[TheHaylio]

(Original post by Duncan8)
Hey basically at the beginning of the course (a bit before), you receive a course book. You usually follow 2 courses per period of 7 weeks. Each worth 6 credits.

In the course book you have roughly one tutorial of 2 hours and one lecture of 2 hours per course.. So roughly 8 hours of class a week (really not a lot as you can see). The course is therefore divided in 7 sessions.

For each session you have to prepare a couple of tasks.. These tasks are real life scenarios that could happen, you have to solve them using the literature, etc. It takes quite a long time to read all the literature and to solve the cases.

Once you have solved the cases you go to the tutorial and discuss them. Most of the time a discussion leader is appointed by the tutor who asks other students about the case, their opinion, etc..

After the class is finished, there is a pre-discussion about the tasks/cases of the following cases. The pre-discussion includes a research of "learning goals" for each tasks... You'll have to answer these learning goals along with the task questions. Sometimes there are only learning goals and sometimes there are only task questions..

If you are the discussion leader you will have to ask other students to find learning goals!


Oh yeah.. And if you work in a cafe or something, as long as it is no "black money" the government can give you money.. as long as you keep working and have proved that u have worked for at least 8 hours a week during 3 months


Downsides of the uni? Dutch bureaucracy, they take a lot of time to process things sometimes, they have silly rules (for example u cannot follow as many courses as you wish too, sometimes if you fail something the year before, you can only take the resit the year after, ...), otherwise I don't see any more downsides.. The teaching quality is really good there!


Hope I answered enough, otherwise don't worry to ask for more information!

That sounds really interesting! Thanks again!
So how often are you assessed and in what way? Is it all exams?

Also in the UK we have 'Student Halls of Residence' which are uni - ran. Is there an equivalent at Maastricht?

I'm looking to study either Business Economics or Econometrics - are their scholarships for high achievers?

Just a personal level, how hard would you say it all is - say in a %?? I'm worried i'll make the massive decision to move out there, and then find i don't have the time to study and work

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP I would give you more pos. rep, but i can't as i already have today!

[Duncan8]

(Original post by TheHaylio)
That sounds really interesting! Thanks again!
So how often are you assessed and in what way? Is it all exams?

Also in the UK we have 'Student Halls of Residence' which are uni - ran. Is there an equivalent at Maastricht?

I'm looking to study either Business Economics or Econometrics - are their scholarships for high achievers?

Just a personal level, how hard would you say it all is - say in a %?? I'm worried i'll make the massive decision to move out there, and then find i don't have the time to study and work

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP I would give you more pos. rep, but i can't as i already have today!

Some courses you are only assessed with an assignment + exam and some others only with an exam! I'm doing law.. Maybe it's a bit different for business!

I don't know about scolarships.. But if you are in the top 3% you have your tuition fees reimbursed.. Not sure if it still applies!

I don't think it's too hard if you are working well.. There's always a way to make it! If you are managing well your time and sleep, you'll for sure do great! I don't know how it is to conciliate study + working (I have never worked during my studies only during the summer).. But it should be alright if you find a job like 8 hours during the saturday it should be really fine!


I would not recommend to live in the student halls (maastricht university have some).. It's too many students and most of them I know there fail, because it's far away from the centre (it's there: http://www.unimaas.nl/guesthouseum/) and they skip the lectures or tutorials.. They party all the time too (I do as well but I live only 5minutes by walk from the lecture hall..)

The guesthouse is a cheap accommodation, so you don't end up with the best people there, I know it's a bit like a stereotype but it's true..

I would recommend to register on kamerburo.nl (it's 35€ one time fee) and they will find a nice place for you. I did not do it that way, I found an agency (Residence Housing), with 2 other students. We paid 1700€ of agency fees (one time fee) and then now I pay 400€/month all included but it's really nice (143sqm).. The best, I think, to find accommodation is to look for the facebook group: Rooms / kamer Maastricht (if you don't find it i'll send it to you by pm)

[TheHaylio]

(Original post by Duncan8)
Some courses you are only assessed with an assignment + exam and some others only with an exam! I'm doing law.. Maybe it's a bit different for business!

I don't know about scolarships.. But if you are in the top 3% you have your tuition fees reimbursed.. Not sure if it still applies!

I don't think it's too hard if you are working well.. There's always a way to make it! If you are managing well your time and sleep, you'll for sure do great! I don't know how it is to conciliate study + working (I have never worked during my studies only during the summer).. But it should be alright if you find a job like 8 hours during the saturday it should be really fine!


I would not recommend to live in the student halls (maastricht university have some).. It's too many students and most of them I know there fail, because it's far away from the centre (it's there: http://www.unimaas.nl/guesthouseum/) and they skip the lectures or tutorials.. They party all the time too (I do as well but I live only 5minutes by walk from the lecture hall..)

The guesthouse is a cheap accommodation, so you don't end up with the best people there, I know it's a bit like a stereotype but it's true..

I would recommend to register on kamerburo.nl (it's 35€ one time fee) and they will find a nice place for you. I did not do it that way, I found an agency (Residence Housing), with 2 other students. We paid 1700€ of agency fees (one time fee) and then now I pay 400€/month all included but it's really nice (143sqm).. The best, I think, to find accommodation is to look for the facebook group: Rooms / kamer Maastricht (if you don't find it i'll send it to you by pm)

That;s all super useful thank you!

How often do you have exams then? And how many times a year?

I think i found the facebook group!

[Duncan8]

(Original post by TheHaylio)
That;s all super useful thank you!

How often do you have exams then? And how many times a year?

I think i found the facebook group!

5 times a year, 2 exams each time

[tiniwini]

Hey! Does anyone know how long it takes after you've sent your application to get an answer from the uni that you got accepted? I know I'm impatient

[Duncan8]

(Original post by tiniwini)
Hey! Does anyone know how long it takes after you've sent your application to get an answer from the uni that you got accepted? I know I'm impatient

I'd say not more than a month! You can always send 'em an email or call 'em!

[volvicstar]

I have applied for the science programme and have a skype interview next week for it.
Does anyone have any advice or experience they could share as I don't know what to expect!