The most international
At Maastricht University more than half of the students are international, and you study with Problem-Based Learning in small groups. This is where Robin's founders studied.
In short
Maastricht is the most international city to study in in the Netherlands: more than half of Maastricht University's students come from abroad, and you study with Problem-Based Learning in small groups. It's on the border with Belgium and Germany, and a room costs around €550 a month. This is where Robin's founders studied.
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Self-assessment
Where to study
The Netherlands has two types of university: research universities (WO), more academic, and universities of applied sciences (HBO), more practical and with company placements. These are the main options in Maastricht:
Research university (WO)
Founded in 1976, it is among the best-placed young universities in the world. The whole method revolves around Problem-Based Learning: few lectures and a lot of work in groups of about 12-15 students.
In English: For example, European Law School, International Business, European Studies, Psychology or University College Maastricht.
Official website →University of applied sciences (HBO)
Practical training in hospitality, business, the arts and health, with locations in Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard.
In English: Some programmes in English, such as Hotel Management.
Official website →Cost of living
Budget between €925 and €1,160 a month, not counting tuition. Tuition for EU students is €2,694 a year in 2026-2027 (official fee, the same at all public universities).
If you work at least 32 hours a month in the Netherlands, you can apply for the DUO grant like a Dutch student: in 2026 that is up to €324.52 a month in basic grant, plus up to €491.08 in supplementary grant depending on your parents' income.
| Monthly spending | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Room rental | 550 € |
| Food and groceries | 250–350 € |
| Transport (bike and the odd train) | 15–40 € |
| Mobile and internet | 10–20 € |
| Leisure, materials and other | 100–200 € |
| Total | 925–1.160 € |
Rent: Kamernet (2025-2026). If you work in the Netherlands you will also need Dutch health insurance (from around €150 a month, with possible government help); if you don't work, the European Health Insurance Card plus supplementary insurance is enough.
Accommodation
The market is smaller than in the Randstad, but in recent years prices have risen by more than 15% and there is a lot of competition in August. The upside: everything is close and you can get anywhere by bike.
City life
Maastricht doesn't feel like the Netherlands: it has hills, slopes, Belgian influence and a more southern way of life. Terraces, good food and an international atmosphere where English is the everyday language.
In February the whole city dresses up for days. It's the big party of the year.
Belgium and Germany are a bike ride away; Liège, Aachen and Cologne, a day trip.
A bookshop inside a 13th-century Gothic church, a must-see.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly between €925 and €1,160 a month: a room costs around €550 (Kamernet median, 2026) and the rest goes on food, transport and leisure.
It's the Maastricht University method: instead of lectures, you work in small groups (tutorials) solving real cases, with a tutor guiding the discussion. It demands a lot of preparation, but you learn to think and to work as a team.
The degrees most in demand among Spanish students are European Law School, International Business, European Studies, Psychology and University College Maastricht.
Because it's very international, well placed in Europe and the PBL method prepares you very well for the working world. We studied there and know the city first-hand.
Make it real
Does Maastricht sound like your city?
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