Study in Europe › Netherlands › Maastricht University

BSc Brain Science

Maastricht University (Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience) · Maastricht, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOLimited placesOnline testMaths + 3 sciences5th-year grades
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntryLimited places
Deadline (EU)15 Jan 2027
EU fee 2027/28€2,771 / yr

About the course

Studies the brain from several angles, combining psychology, biology and computational science. Teaching uses Maastricht’s problem-based learning.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Leaving Certificate in 6 subjects, with at least 3 at Higher Level graded H1 to H5 (based on Maastricht’s earlier foreign diploma list; confirm with admissions). Maastricht does not use CAO points.
  • You need Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at a depth equivalent to the Dutch VWO. Maastricht does not publish Irish grades or levels for these subjects, so check with admissions.

How to apply

  1. Apply on Studielink by 15 JanuaryApply via Studielink for Brain Science by 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET.
  2. Complete the online selectionFill in the online survey (study attitude and motivation) and take a multiple-choice test on Brain Science topics, in English, after 4 to 6 hours of study materials. Finish by the date Maastricht publishes (1 March in the 2025/26 cycle).
  3. Grades are scoredYour grades from your last completed school year (usually 5th year) in Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology count in the ranking, alongside the survey and test.
  4. Ranking on 15 AprilMaastricht emails your ranking number on 15 April 2027 (the national numerus fixus date). If you get an offer, accept it within 14 days.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET.

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).
Limited places (numerus fixus). You can apply for at most 2 numerus fixus programmes in the Netherlands in the same year.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityMaastricht
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
Places200 places (2025/26 figure)
EntryLimited places
Programme page ↗Admission requirements ↗Numerus fixus selection rules 2026/27 (PDF) ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Maastricht University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The selection components are from the 2026/27 selection rules. The number of places, test deadline and subject requirements are from the 2025/26 admission document. Confirm the 2027 places and test date with Maastricht. Always confirm details with the university before applying.