Best students study for free at UM

The top three percent of students of Maastricht University (UM) may study for free the coming years. Spread amongst the various disciplines the best students will be awarded a grant at the end of the academic year that matches their paid tuition fees. This new fellowship opportunity is estimated to cost half a million euros. The fellowship programme is part of a more elaborate package under the heading of HRM for students in the new Strategic Programme 2007-2010. UM aims at substantially enlarging its appeal to the top of Dutch and foreign students.

UM traditionally has a strong focus on talent and therefore actions are prepared to stimulate both employees, researchers as students. The ‘three-percent-action’ is one of them. President of the Executive Board, Jo Ritzen: ‘We expect an additional boost in the quality for our education programmes, keeping Maastricht University number one in Dutch rankings on higher education. Higher education programmes and institutions in the Netherlands annually are evaluated by the Dutch Ministry of Education and over the years Maastricht University has proved to be top ranking in education.

With this action UM targets at Dutch and foreign students, because the growth of five percent each following year can not be realized with Dutch students alone. Furthermore a large diversity of the student population is an excellent preparation for a career in a globalising world.

Jo Ritzen: ‘This fellowshipprogramme is not an isolated action. Through the combination with pre-entry selection, which includes interests and motivation of applicants, and career services on graduation, we intend to enhance the appeal of the university. The whole package formulated in the Strategic Programme focuses on the talents of each individual student.’

At the moment Dutch and EU students pay 1500 euros tuition fees per academic year, students from outside the European Union 11.500 euros. Depending on the number of non-EU-students that qualify for this fellowshipprogramme, the costs for UM can mount up to 500 Keuros. (sic)

This fellowship programme is not financed with Dutch tax payers money, but through Maastricht University’s private funds and endowments. Previous year 11.500 students studied at UM.

The Strategic Programme 2007-2010 will be introduced by Jo Ritzen at 4 september at the Opening of the Academic Year 2006/2007 and will be fully available at the UM’s website as from that date.

Source: University of Maastricht press release, 18 August 2006