The Global Studies bachelor-level study programme trains students to understand and develop solutions for complex global issues, crossing disciplinary and geographical boundaries. The study programme is unique in the Netherlands for having six faculties, each with their disciplinary expertise, contribute equally to the educational content of the programme.
The study programme offers students the opportunity to perform a field study in the global south, develop an intervention for a societal problem presented by a NGO, government, agency, firm or a school and write an interdisciplinary bachelor thesis.
The UM Global Studies Scholarship offers one full coverage scholarship (including a tuition fee waiver and monthly stipend) per academic year for a selected number of top-performing bachelor students from the Global South with personal development potential who have been (conditionally) admitted to the Global Studies study programme.
Universiteit Maastricht Information
Founded in 1976, Universiteit Maastricht (Maastricht University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Maastricht (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Limburg. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands), Universiteit Maastricht (UM) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universiteit Maastricht (UM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 43 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
All candidates must meet the following requirements:
-
You hold the nationality of a country in the Global South, here defined as countries in Africa, Asia (including the Middle-East), Latin-America and the Caribbean based on the definition of the OECD in column 1; least developed, column 2;low income , column 3 lower middle-income or Venezuela and meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permit for the Netherlands. Please check this website before you apply to see in which country you have to collect your MVV visa for the Netherlands.
If you already have a residence permit for another Schengen country , you can only apply if this residence permit is still valid until at least 2 September 2025. If your residence permit expires before 2 September 2025 you can only apply for the Scholarship from your home country via a MVV visa application. More information can be found on the webpages of the Visa Office.
- You do not have a dual nationality from a country in the Global North
- You have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Students who have completed exchange programmes in the Netherlands are welcome to apply
- You are not older than 35 years of age on 1 September 2025
- You agree to become an active Global Studies and UM ambassador during and after your studies, by committing to share your experiences during at least one (information) session for students and/or other stakeholders
- You have applied for admission to the Global Studies study programme at UM for the 2025-2026 academic year
Offered Benefits
The Maastricht University Global Studies Scholarship offers one full coverage scholarship (including a tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend)
| Living expenses |
€ 15,925 per academic year |
Paid to students |
| Health & liability insurance |
At cost |
Paid by the Institution |
| Visa application costs |
At cost |
Paid by the Institution |
| Tuition fees |
At cost |
Paid by the Institution |
| Pre-Academic Training costs |
At cost |
Paid by the Institution |
Founded in 1976, Universiteit Maastricht (Maastricht University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Maastricht (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Limburg. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands), Universiteit Maastricht (UM) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universiteit Maastricht (UM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 43 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.