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BSc Economics and Business Economics

Maastricht University (School of Business and Economics) · Maastricht, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOSelectiveEssayEarly deadline 15 Jan
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)15 Jan 2027
EU fee 2027/28€2,771 / yr

About the course

A broad economics and business degree covering economics, finance, accounting, organisation and quantitative methods, with specialisation in later years. It is taught through problem-based learning in small international tutorial groups.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Irish Leaving Certificate in 6 subjects, with at least 3 at Higher Level graded H1 to H5 (from Maastricht’s 2025-26 diploma list; confirm the current list). Maastricht does not use CAO points.
  • Maths equivalent to Dutch VWO Mathematics A or B is compulsory. Maastricht does not publish a specific Irish Maths level or grade, so admissions checks your level.
  • You must also complete the International Classroom Essay: five questions, about 200 words each and at most 250. The programme is selective, so an insufficient essay can lead to rejection.

How to apply

  1. Register in StudielinkChoose BSc Economics and Business Economics in Studielink. Apply by 15 January 2027 for the early round, and no later than 1 May 2027 (dates expected; confirm).
  2. Upload documentsIn Maastricht’s application portal, upload your Leaving Cert results or predicted grades, transcripts and proof of English.
  3. International Classroom EssayAnswer the five essay questions in the portal. In the 2025 cycle, early applicants got their outcome on 15 April.
  4. Decision and enrolmentIf your essay is sufficient and you meet the requirements, you are admitted. Send your final Leaving Cert results in summer 2027 and finish enrolment.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET early deadline for EU/EEA applicants; final EU/EEA deadline 1 May 2027, 23:59 CET. Dates expected from the 2025-26 cycle; confirm on the programme page..

Costs

  • Standard Dutch EU fee: €2,694 (2026/27). The 2027/28 fee is set by the Dutch government each year (expected to be close to €2,800).
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Selective course: Maastricht admits you if you meet the requirements and your International Classroom Essay is judged sufficient. This is not numerus fixus, so it does not count towards the limit of 2 numerus fixus applications.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityMaastricht
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo fixed cap published
EntrySelective
Admission requirements ↗Admission requirements PDF 2025-26 ↗Diplomas equivalent to VWO ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Maastricht University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The deadlines, essay details and Maths rule come from the 2025-26 admission requirements, and the Irish rule from the 2025-26 diploma list. Confirm the 2027 dates on the programme page. Always confirm details with the university before applying.