Student report – Maastricht University (UM) spring 2010
1. The School is located in the Centrum of Maastricht, an old building, but with international
and modern style. It holds a high standard, especially the faculty of economics. There are a
lot of parks and cafe’s nearby, and the library is a five minutes’ walk from the faculty, which
also is very new and holds good facilities. There are many different faculties located mostly in
the city Centrum of Maastricht – Economics, law, arts and culture and medical. There are
approximately 1500 students at the economics faculty, where a big part, maybe 60% is from
Germany. Most exchange student also study here, approximately 100-200.
The learning method is very different from BI. The Problem Based Learning requires you to
read literature, as well as advanced articles for every tutorial. You normally have four
tutorials each week, where you are required to participate, hold presentations and deliver
papers, in a regular manner. In other words, much more intensive than at BI.
2. We received information and mails in advance, without any difficulties. The student
organization is particularly good at welcoming you, and professionally arranges things so that
you get to know everything. No Visa, and plane ticket is not expensive (500 NOK
approximately). The semester starts late – 1th of February, and ends in the start of June. You
have two blocks, and in each block you have two exams. This means you have two courses
for two months, and then exam. This makes the courses more intensive, and you have to
start study right away.
3. The reception at the faculty is extremely helpful, and helped me even book hotel rooms for
my parents. I stayed at the guesthouse, where all the exchange students live. People are very
friendly and want to get to know you. You share kitchen and showers with approximately 12
people, but I did not encounter any difficulties during my stay. There are always parties,
people playing basket, tennis and soccer outside. Costs approximately 3600 NOK a month,
with all inclusive, even washing. Recommended. Food and drink is very cheap (maybe 1/3 of
the price in Norway). Books are expensive (60 euro’s each approximately). They have an
International relations office (IRO), which helps you and always makes “exceptions” since you
are an exchange student. Don’t be afraid to ask. They give you all the information you need,
and even arrange dinners, get-together and parties with free beverage and food. Socially, it is
very easy to get to know people, people are friendly outgoing and helpful. There are always a
party or some sort of arrangement, which makes your day fun, but busy. For example they
arrange discover Holland, discover Belgium, and all sorts of excursions. The student
organization is very professional and friendly. The school is professional, the students are
highly motivated, and the school has close relationships to companies. Internships, workshops, carrier weeks and other are frequently arranged. The students from Maastricht
University are highly requested by European companies. Workshops with banks/companies
are often a part of the course.
4. The language is always English, and that is no problem. Additionally you get to know many
different cultures, due to the fact that (UM) is one of the most international universities in
Europe. There is no doubt all the benefits I have from this exchange. Friends all over the
world, contacts with companies and good references (ask this from your tutor if you perform
well). Your English skills improve, you get to know cultures and you travel a lot.
5. Academics are much harder than at BI. You have to work hard in order just to pass. So it is
recommended only if you are highly motivated to work, as the rest of the students at UM.
The courses are in English, and you learn a lot by discussing and holding presentations for the
group. There are a lot of tutors, one tutor for each group of 15 students. So you get to know
your tutor, which is very helpful. Also you easily get to know regular students in the
classroom. The big difference is that you really need to understand the subject in order to
discuss it in class, or to pass the exam. You have to read much more, one chapter plus articles
for each tutorial, which I used many hours on. You really need to use approximately 40 hours
of study each week, but this depends much on the courses you choose. The exam is often a
mix of multiple choices/true or false, and an open part. Since you seldom have previously
exams, this makes things harder. The exam consists of all the literature given, and lectures.
You have to have a much higher knowledge to pass an exam, than at BI. There are a lot of
computers at the faculty, and the library provides you with everything you need.
Course
International
Economics
EBC 2014
Management
Accounting
EBC 2059
Fundamentals
of supply
Chain
Management
EBC 1029
International
Economic
Relations EBC
1030
Prerequisites
Exam (grade)
Microeconomics Written
100%
Major at BI
Difficulty
Economics(micro/macro), Hard
2 year course
Accounting
courses,
statistics
Nothing,
Written exam
(60%), oral,
presentation
Written
exam, oral,
presentation
Accounting, 3 year
course.
Mediumhard
Business (marketing) 1
year course.
Medium.
Nothing
Written, oral
and
presentation
Economics, 1 year course
Easy –
medium.
Contact information:
Jo Espen Vindøy
+47 92063543
jo_espen@hotmail.com