Netherlands | Est. 1974Netherlands | NVAO (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders) | Dutch (main track) medium
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The Maastricht University Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences has quickly become one of the most well-known medical schools in Europe, despite the fact that it is one of the newest research universities in the country. This faculty, which is frequently referred to as FHML, is responsible for conferring both the Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Medicine degrees. 1974 was the year it was founded, and 1976 was the year it started teaching medical subjects. The institution did something that no other medical school in the country was doing at the time, and it did it every year from the very beginning. Instead of having lengthy discussions, the class was broken up into smaller groups and taught by the instructor. This method of education is referred to as "Problem-Based Learning," or PBL for short. Individuals did not come up with the concept of problem-based learning (PBL) in Maastricht; however, it was the first university in Europe to construct an entire medical course around it. The Maastricht model is currently being utilized as a guiding principle by medical schools in over fifty different countries of the world. The city attracts students from all around the world who are interested in observing how it operates.
Maastricht is a tiny Dutch city in the extreme south. Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany are the three nations that come together at that meeting point. Because of its location, the school can be described as having a strong international feel. When students conduct clinical work, they meet a lot of people who speak Dutch, but some also speak German or French. Bike riding is a convenient and risk-free way to get around the city. The Randwyck campus is home to the medical school, which can be found right next to the Maastricht University Medical Center PLUS teaching hospital. Going from the classes to the dormitories can be accomplished on foot in a little under five minutes.
It is one of the reasons why the school functions so effectively that the college and the hospital are located in such close proximity to one another. It is common for doctors who teach to work the same shift as their students, and students are exposed to real-life cases from the very beginning of the course.
The Bachelor in Medicine at Maastricht lasts three years and is worth 180 ECTS credits. The main track is taught in Dutch, and there is also an English track for a limited number of international students. The English track is called the International Track in Medicine, or ITM. It follows the same PBL model as the Dutch track and leads to the same Bachelor degree. In both tracks, students work in tutorial groups of about ten. Each week they get a set of real patient tasks. They study the medical problem on their own, then meet as a group with a tutor to discuss what they found. This method trains students to think like doctors from day one. It also builds strong teamwork skills, which matter a lot in hospital work later on.
The three Bachelor years follow the natural line of a human being. Year one looks at the healthy body and the healthy person. Students learn basic anatomy, physiology, and how cells and organs work together. Year two looks at illness and how the body reacts when things go wrong. Students study disease processes, drugs, and the first ideas of diagnosis. Year three brings the two together and puts the patient in the middle. Students learn how to take a full history, how to do a basic physical exam, and how to plan simple treatment. During all three years, students also spend time in the skills lab. They practise things like listening to the heart, taking blood, and giving injections on models and on each other. Small clinical placements start in year two, so students see real patients well before the Master phase.
The Master in Medicine also lasts three years and is worth 180 ECTS credits. It is taught in Dutch only, and this is a hard rule for every medical school in the Netherlands. Students who do the English Bachelor track must reach at least B2 or C1 in Dutch before they can start the Master. Without this, they cannot pass the clinical years, because every patient chart, every ward round, and every talk with a family will be in Dutch. The Master is built around clinical rotations. In the first two years, students rotate through the main specialties. These include internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, general practice, and neurology. The third Master year has a longer research project and a final full time rotation of the student's choice. This last rotation often takes place in a hospital abroad or in a rural setting in the Netherlands. After six years, the graduate holds the title of arts, which is the Dutch legal title for a medical doctor.
The faculty is also strong in research. It hosts several well known research schools, including CAPHRI for public health, NUTRIM for nutrition and metabolism, MHeNs for mental health and neuroscience, and CARIM for cardiovascular research. Medical students are encouraged to join a research project during the Bachelor and Master. Some students even publish papers before they graduate. The Maastricht UMC+ hospital is a full academic centre with all major specialties, and it has special expertise in cardiology, oncology, and rare metabolic diseases. Students who train here get exposure to both routine care and highly complex cases.
There are many people who believe that the student experience in Maastricht is among the best in all of Europe. There are over 120,000 people living in the city, and approximately 20,000 of them are students. This creates the impression that the entire city is a campus. In comparison to Amsterdam or Utrecht, rent is more affordable, and the majority of students live within a short bike distance of the university. MSV Pulse is the name of the student association for the nursing profession. Among its activities are trips to hospitals in other countries, a yearly gala, and support for academic endeavors. There is also a close connection between the faculty and universities in Germany and Belgium, and it is typical for the faculty to give joint talks with Aachen and Liège. As a result of the border location, a significant number of graduates wind up working in three different nations during the course of their careers.
The numerus fixus is the last concept that students from non-European countries, including Indian pupils, are required to comprehend. Every year, the Netherlands places a cap on the total number of medical seats available. Approximately 320 spots are available in the Dutch Bachelor's program, while approximately 60 spots are available in the English International Track. The university carries out the selection process on its own. The lottery does not exist. Rather than that, the faculty takes into consideration the student's grades, a written test, and frequently a brief assignment or interview. There is a lot of competition, and only a small percentage of those who apply are accepted. Students that are successful in obtaining admission, on the other hand, are able to enroll in one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe, which adheres to a teaching methodology that has influenced medical education all over the world.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS In Maastricht University Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences.
Tuition Fee
€32,000 per year for both Bachelor and Master
USD 34,650 INR 29.20 lakh
Hostel Fee
USD 7,150 INR 6.00 lakh
USD 7,150 INR 6.00 lakh
Food & Meals
USD 3,900 INR 3.30 lakh
per month
Insurance
USD 650 INR 0.55 lakh
per year
Donation
No Donation
No Hidden Fees
Total Estimated Cost
EUR 44,000 | USD 47,650 | INR 40.15 lakh
total 6 year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS In Maastricht University Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
Year 1 includes four periods lasting about 10 weeks when students learn medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional behavior in the course of authentic physician activities, simulators, and group learning.
Acute care, Short-Term care, Chronic care, Preventive care/Care of health, Medical professional, Critical professional, Professional and personal development.
Healthcare topics mentioned above are studied on the next advanced level. Moreover, students have an opportunity to select elective subjects which occupy about half-day weekly and to get experience working in regional healthcare team.
Acute care, Short-Term care, Chronic care, Preventive care, Medical professional skills, Critical professional skills, Personal development and elective subjects.
Year 3 includes two 20-week periods of minor and Integrated Care.
Medical minor, Integrated care, Interprofessional healthcare, Medical professional, Critical professional and professional development.
Medical interns perform their work in hospitals, general practices and other healthcare institutions, participate in patient care, work with other medical specialties and carry out scientific investigations. Compulsory blocks are performed by all students in accordance with fixed schedule; however, elective and participation can be completed by different students at different time.
Internal Medicine – 12 weeks Surgical rotation – 12 weeks Mother and Child – 10 weeks Neurosciences – 18 weeks General Practice and Public Health – 12 weeks Elective block A – 8 weeks Elective block B – 10 weeks Scientific participation – 20 weeks Healthcare participation – 18 weeks
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS In Maastricht University Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
AMW begins with a comprehensive assessment of your academic profile, language background, and financial capacity. We evaluate which universities offer English-medium entry (Groningen and Maastricht), and compare the Netherlands transparently against Belgium, Croatia, and the Czech Republic as alternative EU pathways.
Even at English-medium institutions like Groningen and Maastricht, clinical rotations from Year 3/4 onwards are conducted in Dutch. Students must achieve B2–C1 proficiency in Dutch before entering clinical training. AMW advises on Dutch-language preparation timelines, typically requiring 12–18 months of structured study.
All Dutch medical school applications are submitted through the national Studielink portal. The deadline is strictly January 15 for the September entry. The numerus fixus selection process involves academic performance assessments and motivational tests. AMW assists with the complete Studielink application and supporting materials.
English-medium programmes (Groningen, Maastricht) require IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+. Dutch-medium programmes require C1 Dutch instead. AMW advises on which test applies to your chosen pathway
AMW assists with the Dutch student residence permit application through the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst). The university's International Office typically manages the permit on the student's behalf. Processing takes 2–3 months. Students must have valid Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) upon arrival.
AMW coordinates pre-departure preparation and arrival orientation for students heading to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leiden, Maastricht, Groningen, or Nijmegen.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes. Indian students can apply for the English International Track at Bachelor level. The application goes through Studielink and must reach the university by 15 January. Students need a strong 12th grade result in science subjects, IELTS or TOEFL, and must take part in the selection procedure run by the faculty.
No. Only part of the Bachelor is offered in English through the International Track. The Master, which contains all clinical rotations, is taught in Dutch. Students in the English Bachelor must reach Dutch level B2 or C1 before they can start the Master.
The institutional tuition fee for Medicine is €32,000 per year in 2025-26 for both Bachelor and Master.
PBL is a method of teaching in which students learn from real patient tasks in small tutorial groups. Instead of long lectures, students study on their own and then discuss the case with a tutor. Maastricht was the first medical school in Europe to build its whole course around this method.
The English International Track in Medicine has about 60 places per year. The Dutch main track has about 320 places. Both tracks use the same numerus fixus selection run by the university.
Yes, if you meet the NMC rules. The course is six years long, from a WDOMS listed school, and includes over 12 months of clinical rotations. Indian graduates must clear the FMGE / NExT to get a licence to practise in India.
Yes. Under EU rules, the Dutch arts title is recognised in all EU and EEA states without a second exam. Graduates only need to prove language skills in the country where they want to work.
No. Since 2017, no Dutch medical school uses a lottery. Maastricht runs a full selection based on school grades, a written test, and often a short assignment or interview.
Most students rent a room in a shared house or a student residence. Monthly rent is between €450 and €750, which is lower than in Amsterdam or Utrecht. Many students live within a short bike ride of the Randwyck campus.
Yes. Maastricht is a small, safe city with a very high share of students. The faculty has a strong support office for international students, and the city has a large Indian and Asian community as well.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
