Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University is a stimulating environment. Where research and teaching are complementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent can flourish. A truly student oriented research university.
Our profile consists of three clear characteristics: Problem-Based Learning and innovation in education; its international orientation, based on firm roots in the Netherlands, Limburg and the Euregion, and; an integrated, multi- and interdisciplinary approach to research and education. These characteristics, which are our main strengths, are reflected in all university activities.
In its 35 years of existence, Maastricht University has come a long way. From the grass-roots beginning to establish the eighth medical faculty of the Netherlands, Maastricht University has grown into a good-sized, broad university with a profile that is unique in the Netherlands and Europe, based both on its educational and research approaches. Maastricht University (UM), the most international university in the Netherlands, stands out for its innovative approach to learning and international outlook. With almost 16,000 students and 4,000 staff, UM offers a wide choice of academic programmes, all of which are designed to bring out the best in its students.
Researchers at UM work in multidisciplinary teams and in close cooperation with international institutes, business and industry. Research at Maastricht University focuses on international issues and topics that are relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s society.
We offer 17 bachelor programmes and 56 master programmes at six faculties: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty Humanities and Sciences, and Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. Maastricht University programmes are doing well in rankings by students and education bodies as well as the government – partly due to the system of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), of which UM is the European founder. Maastricht University has used Problem-Based Learning (PBL) ever since it was founded and has been an expert in this field for over 35 years. PBL is more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s about exchanging knowledge in a challenging and effective way. Maastricht University makes the difference. With unique Europe-focused and international-oriented programmes. After all, UM is “Leading in Learning”.
Maastricht University is committed to the international goal of sustainable development, as reflected, for example, in the university’s mission statement on sustainability. Sustainable development is also being integrated as a topic in the curricula; for example, the Master programme on Sustainability Science and Policy. In 2012, Maastricht University Green Office won the prestigious International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) oikos Student Leadership Award. This award is the world’s highest distinction for exceptional student initiatives in the field of sustainability.
At Maastricht University, the International Centre for Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, specifically focusses on research and education in the fields of integrated assessment and sustainable development. Motivated by the belief that science and education are able to greatly contribute to the sustainability of life on Earth, we continue to respond to the particular challenges of sustainable development. ICIS stimulates integration in sustainable thinking and acting on different social levels by research, education (Bachelor, Master and PhD level) and policy.
The Department of International Health promotes a European perspective to health-related developments at the local, national and international levels. Research and education activities are guided by the following themes: 1) Public health and health care in Europe (comparative analyses of countries’ health systems, policies and practices); 2) European Public Health (the role and implications of Europe and its institutions for health); and 3) Global Health Europe (the role of Europe in a global context). Through these themes, we aim at advancing academic education and research for European Public Health. Our multidisciplinary staff has a background in health- and medical sciences, European Studies, public policy analysis, international relations, sociology and ethics.