Study Abroad at University of Maastricht Honors College

UW Honors Direct Exchange

The Honors Program is pleased to make available a direct exchange with the University of Maastricht (UCM) in Maastricht, The Netherlands. UW students will take regular courses (taught in English) across the curriculum with Dutch students.

The University of Maastricht Honors College offers a unique problem-based learning method which actively involves small groups of students in creating practical and unique solutions. Maastricht Honors College is ranked as one of the top Dutch universities and attracts students from across Europe and the world.

Maastricht is a beautiful cosmopolitan city located in the south of the Netherlands, 2 1/2 hours by train from Amsterdam, The Hague, and Brussels. The university is located in the heart of the city to the west of the scenic Meuse river. The campus reflects the historic quality of the city, which may be the oldest city in the Netherlands. The city also offers students an array of museums, festivals, parks, and other cultural opportunities.

This exchange program is not restricted to Honors students only. Any eligible UW undergraduate may apply. The program is most appropriate for juniors and seniors with prior international experience who have demonstrated maturity and academic excellence. Honors will screen applicants by paper application and interview advanced candidates.

UW student participants in this exchange pay an exchange fee equivalent to UW tuition through the Home Tuition Program for Reciprocal Exchange. In 1997, the Legislature authorized the "Home Tuition" program as the primary means to fund international student exchanges. Under this program, UW students pay an amount equal to their regular tuition and select fees at the UW, and then study at the foreign host institution tuition-free. The funds paid by the outgoing UW student are then used to cover the tuition costs of the incoming international exchange student.

All other costs are the responsibility of the participating student, i.e., airfare, food, housing, compulsory international insurance, books, visas and all other incidentals. Students may be eligible to use their regular financial aid and scholarship funds for study abroad, but must verify any and all financial aid prior to committing to the program. Any scholarship in the form of a "tuition waiver" cannot be used toward study abroad or any direct exchange program, as tuition waivers cannot be used to pay study abroad program fees or exchange tuition equivalent fees.

You are responsible for verifying your own financial aid by contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid in Schmitz Hall. Please also review the UdSA Sample Budget provided by UdSA, but note this is only an example of some expenses, and costs can change.

**TUITION WAVERS CANNOT BE USED TO PAY HOME TUITION FOR A DIRECT EXCHANGE**

Exchange students are offered housing in the university's Guesthouse. Students should make reservations as availability is first-come-first-serve. Reservations can be made online at http://www.unimaas.nl/guesthouseum or by phone (+31) 43-346-7210. For more information, visit the UCM Housing webpage.

How to Apply

Outbound UW Applicants

  1. Complete the Honors Direct Exchange Online Application by posted deadline.
  2. Interview with Honors Direct Exchange Manager(s)
  3. If nominated, you will receive instructions on how to formally apply to your chosen host institution. Final decision to admit you to the direct exchange program rests with the host institution. Once you receive formal acceptance from them, you will be directly communicating and coordinating your transition abroad with our partner representative abroad.
  4. Complete all international exchange requirements directed by UW via the International Programs & Exchanges Office (IPE) study abroad site. Once accepted, you will automatically begin to receive email instructions / prompts from IPE regarding this phase of the process related to Concurrent Enrollment Costs & Fees, Study Abroad Insurance, etc.
Apply now »

Deadlines to submit all application materials to the Honors Office:

  • Autumn Semester (August - December): February 15
  • Spring Semester (January - May): September 15
  • UCM website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Home.htm
  • Phone: 31-43-3884882
  • Email: ucm-international@maastrichtuniversity.nl
  • Contact person for incoming exchange students: Ina Engelen, ina.engelen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
  • UCM application requirements: application form, Student's and Home University Declaration Form, proof of English proficiency
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Course Catalog
  • Grading: A-F
  • Tuition waivers CANNOT be applied to direct exchange tuition
  • Students must complete 30 credits per semester for a full academic workload
  • Academic term is semester system, so students receive 1.5 times the number of credits therefore tuition is charged at 1.5 times the normal rate
  • 1 quarter credit ~ 1.33 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System); 15 quarter credits is about 20 ECTS

Honors International Exchange Manager

Wendy Durant @ wdurant@uw.edu
206.616.0859 or Skype: uwdurant

Support Honors
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