Study in Europe › Netherlands › Maastricht University

BA Global Studies

Maastricht University (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) · Maastricht, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOSelectiveMotivation letterEssay
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)1 May 2027
EU fee 2027/28€2,771 / yr

About the course

An interdisciplinary degree on global challenges such as development, inequality, migration, sustainability and governance, linking global processes to local outcomes. It is taught in English.

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.
  • No specific Maths or other subject requirement is published. Selection is based on a motivation letter in English (up to 600 words) and a short essay in English (up to 400 words) on a complex global problem, assessed by the Board of Admissions.

How to apply

  1. Register in StudielinkChoose BA Global Studies in Studielink and apply by 1 May 2027 (confirm the date).
  2. Upload documentsIn Maastricht’s application portal, upload your Leaving Cert results or predicted grades, transcripts and proof of English.
  3. Motivation letter and essaySubmit a motivation letter (up to 600 words) and an essay (up to 400 words) describing a complex global problem.
  4. DecisionThe Board of Admissions tells you its decision within four weeks of receiving your complete application.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027, 23:59 CET (expected, based on the 2025-26 EU/EEA deadline; 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: the Board of Admissions assesses your motivation letter and essay. 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

Not sure which course suits you?

The FMCC European Courses Test matches your interests to English-taught courses across Europe, filtered by where you would like to study and your budget. €24.95.

Take the European Courses TestAsk us about 1:1 guidance

Checked against the official Maastricht University website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The deadline and selection details come from the 2025-26 admission requirements and the 2026-27 education and examination regulations, 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.