Netherlands: Maastricht U., Ctr for European St.

The program at the Center for European Studies at the University of Maastricht is UNC Kenan-Flagler’s oldest study abroad program. The CES program offers dynamic, interactive courses with integrated field trips, cultural weekends and study trips that together create a multi-faceted, transformative study abroad experience.

The city of Maastricht is a lovely medieval city of 120,000 people—a good size if you are not seeking a large urban experience but still want a vibrant atmosphere. The city is known for its picturesque setting, culture, education and festivals. The Carnival celebration every March is famous throughout Europe.

Located very near the Belgian and German borders, Maastricht is an excellent point from which to explore other parts of Europe. English is widely spoken in the Netherlands, but you will not have to travel far if you’d like to practice a foreign language.

As a direct enroll program, Maastricht is an excellent value for out-of-state students who will pay less in tuition and fees to Maastricht than the cost of an out-of-state semester at UNC.

Quick Facts & Links

GPA Requirement: 3.00
Program Options: Direct Enroll
- Direct Enroll programs charge varying tuition rates that are not based on UNC tuition. Please thoroughly review the “program cost” section below for specific information. For additional information about program types, click here.
Language of Instruction: English
Program Dates:
- Fall: August 16 – December 21, 2024
- Spring: Spring 2025 dates not yet available. The Spring term typically runs from mid-January through early June.
Visit the Maastrict University Business and Economics in Europe Program website for more information.
Meet program alumni
Accessibility Resources

Application Information

	This Program’s Level of Competitiveness = 1 Level of Competitiveness (1 = least, 3 = most)
1	Chance of acceptance is probable if students meet the minimum requirements.
2	Most students are typically accepted.
3	This is one of the most competitive programs. We recommend having a back-up option in mind.

Apply for a Kenan-Flagler Global Program and Global Programs scholarship through the same application system using your Kenan-Flagler credentials. Click the Apply Now button below to learn more about application deadlines, requirements, and to start your application!

Apply Now

Program Logistics

Academics

Please visit Global Academic Procedures for detailed credit and other academic information.

General Credit Information

The University of Maastricht has a unique Problem Based Learning (PBL) method, which includes small group tutorials and applied learning.

Courses taken at Maastricht University will transfer back to UNC Pass (Maastricht grade of 6 and above)/Fail (Maastricht grade below 6). Pass grades do not affect your UNC GPA. Fail grades transfer back to UNC as Fs, which will affect your UNC GPA. Though transfer credit for this program is Pass/Fail, future employers and graduate schools will also look at the Maastricht transcript, so grades are important.

View the ‘Credit Hour Conversions’ accordion on the ‘Academics Procedures‘ page for more information on credit hour conversion from Maastricht to UNC.

You will take 1-2 courses with American business students at the Center for European Studies and 2-3 courses with Dutch students at the UM School of Business and Economics.

If you attend during the fall semester, you’ll take 4 or 5 courses on this program and may have Fridays off for traveling. If you attend during the spring, you’ll take 5 courses.

You will take one of the following courses (worth 6 ECTS each). The core courses to choose from are:

Entrepreneurship: it’s all about creating value (offered both fall and spring)
Leadership & Management in a Global World (fall/spring)
BUS3001 Economics of European Integration (fall/spring)
Marketing (skills) for the 21st Century (spring only)

Though you may choose the Economics of European Integration as your Maastricht core course option, please note that this course will not count for business credit. You can earn up to 15 BUSI credits on this program for the fall semester if either the Leadership or Entrepreneurship core course is selected (and you take 5 total courses). ECON majors may be able to petition the ECON department to receive ECON credit for the European Integration course. This course will otherwise transfer back as general credits towards graduation.

For the Spring Semester

You will take 5 courses with the possibility of 4 of these courses counting for BUSI credit (12 UNC transferred for BUSI elective credit), but you may need to stay though part of the beginning of June for final exams. Please email Ms. Laura Marley from CES to request information on which business courses are best suited for an early-June spring departure.

This program also fulfills the Experiential Education requirement or the High Impact Experience requirement (if you are under the new IDEAs curriculum). Full-time enrollment in this program is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Housing

Housing is provided in dormitories within walking distance to the university and downtown Maastricht. Most CES students stay in single or double rooms at the International Student Guesthouse of Maastricht University. Rooms in the P-building have private kitchens and rooms in the C-building have communal cooking facilities; in both buildings the bathroom facilities are shared. Rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobe, sink, bookcase, reading lamps, table and chairs and have wireless internet. Linens are provided and laundry is free of charge. How much you pay for housing will depend on whether you stay in a single or a double room, and whether you live in P-building or C-building. Please visit the Maastricht Exchange site for more information.

Program Cost

We suggest you create your global program budget using our budget worksheet (xlsx) to help you think about your costs on this program:

Populate the figures from the tables below into the left side costs of attendance
Input your financial resources on the right

Your customized budget sheet can help determine your current financial status, and help you understand what additional funding you may need to help make this an affordable program option.

Cashier Billed Expenses*
Expense	Estimated Amount
UNC Tuition and Fees	$0 – You will pay tuition and fees to your host university
Global Programs Administrative Fee	$700
GeoBlue International Medical Insurance	$190

*Cashier Billed Expenses are those charges billed directly to your UNC ConnectCarolina account.

Out of Pocket Estimates**
Expense	Estimated Amount
CES Maastricht Tuition	$9,700
International Airfare	$1,500
Housing	$3,753
Meals	$2,200
Immigration Visa/Residence Permit	$400
Passport Application Fee	$165
Course Materials	$300
International Cell Phone Plan	$350
Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance	$400
Local Transportation	$100
Miscellaneous	$2,650


Other Personal Expenses***

Total Estimated Expenses (Direct Enroll):	$22,390

Withdrawal Policy: Once a student accepts their offer/enrolls on a study abroad program, the spot will be considered filled and will not be offered to another student. Students who withdraw from UBP Global are responsible for non-recoverable costs including the Global Programs Administrative Fee. Your student account will be assessed charges to cover any/all amounts that Kenan-Flagler UBP Global programs has committed or paid on your behalf and are non-recoverable at the time of withdrawal. Such costs include, housing, meals, transportation and any expenses that may be associated with faculty and support participation on your program (if applicable).

**Out of Pocket Estimates are based on the cost of the program, which is determined by combining the average costs our previous students have spent in each of these categories, along with the costs our partner provides to us as their averages. These estimates are subject to change based on exchange rate fluctuations, bank fees, and individual variances in costs of living.

***Other Expenses: our budget worksheet (xlsx) also has a place for you to input other expenses outside of the out-of-pocket estimates that you may incur, such as attending concerts or sporting events.

Funding your global program

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Travel Documents

Do you have a valid passport? If yes, check your passport’s expiration date to ensure that your passport is valid at least 6 months after your program’s scheduled end date. If not, you’ll need to submit a passport renewal application.

Do you need to apply for a passport (first time or renew)? If yes, we recommend that you get started on your passport application right away as you’ll need time to collect documents like your birth certificate to include as part of your application. For complete instructions click here.

Will I need immigration documents? If you are accepted into this program you will need to travel to a Dutch consulate/embassy in the United States to obtain a visa permitting you to study in the Netherlands. For this appointment, you will need your passport in hand along with other documentation from our office and the host university office. Please set up an appointment with your Global Programs Advisor to discuss.

Meet with an Advisor

UBP students can schedule a meeting to learn more about this and other programs by clicking on the “Schedule Appointment” link below.

Schedule Appointment

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Netherlands: Maastricht University, Center for European Studies

Quick Facts & Links

Application Information

Program Logistics

Meet with an Advisor