Study in the Netherlands!
Institution
Founded in 1976, Maastricht University (MU) was recently ranked the 6th best 'young' university in the world (2015 Times Higher Education Top 100 under 50). This marks the 3rd time MU has been ranked in the top 10 of all universities under 50 years old. It is also ranked the 17th most international university in the world, with 44% of its students and 30% of its teaching staff coming from outside The Netherlands, making it an ideal location to enroll in courses with a European or international focus.
Location
One of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, Maastricht boasts picturesque architecture, medieval city walls, cobblestone alleys and streets, seventeenth-century facades, and a Roman bridge. Maastricht is conveniently located in the heart of Europe, with major capitals such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and London only a short train ride away. However, once you arrive in Maastricht, you may not want to leave—with a historic city centre; countless numbers of inviting sidewalk cafés, pubs, and restaurants; sports facilities; shops; and numerous film, music, and theatre venues, Maastricht has everything a student could wish for!
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Mid August to Late December
- Spring Semester: Mid January to Early June
- Summer Semester: Late June to Early August
For more information about the academic calendar please visit
USAC Maastricht website.
Housing
Students will stay at the University's International Student Guesthouse during your time in Maastricht. The Guesthouse is located within walking distance of downtown Maastricht, with easy access to restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and the city's nightlife.
All USAC students will have private, furnished bedrooms, and will share bathroom, kitchen, and living areas. USAC-arranged housing is included in your program fee.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
|
Semester |
Summer |
USAC Tuition & Fees & Housing |
See USAC Page |
See USAC Page |
1OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
$200 |
Intl Health Dev Fee |
$60 |
$60 |
1The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
|
Semester |
Academic Year |
Summer |
Airfare |
$1200 - $1800 |
$1200 - $1800 |
|
Meals |
$1000 - $2000 |
$1800 - $3000 |
|
1Personal Expenses |
$1200 - $1800 |
$1600 - $3000 |
|
Books and Materials |
$400 |
$800 |
|
Local Transportation |
$150 - $200 |
$300 - $400 |
|
Visa (for US Citizens) |
$350 |
$350 |
|
Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
|
2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
Varies |
|
3Personal Travel and Spending |
$1500 - $2000 |
$3000 - $4000 |
|
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
USAC Scholarships
USAC offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
USAC’s partnership with Maastricht University’s Center for European Studies allows you to immerse yourself in interdisciplinary studies centered around one of five programmatic themes: Business & Economics in Europe; European History, Culture & Arts; Psychology and Neuroscience in Europe; European Politics, Law & International Relations; or Public Health & Medicine in Europe. Students will enroll in one core course specific to your program’s theme that combines strong academics with integrated field trips and experimental learning. At least half of your courses must be selected from disciplines related to the program theme. You are free to fill your remaining course load of 24-32 ECTS (12-16 US credits) from those disciplines, or choose from over 350 courses in a wide variety of academic departments.
The summer program allows you to focus your studies on the economic, political and socio-cultural aspects of Europe and European integration, or approach topics from a wider international perspective. The program is split into two 3-week instructional blocks. During the first block you may choose to enroll in one traditional classroom-based course or participate in a study tour for an additional fee. During the second block, all students enroll in one traditional course. You will earn between 10-12 ECTS (5-6 US credits) from Maastricht University on this six-week program.
For more information about courses please visit the USAC Maastricht web page.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the Maastricht program will be required to enroll in at least 30 ECTS credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a USAC program should complete the
USAC application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.