The Patrick Leahy Honors College

University College Maastricht Exchange

University College Maastricht (UCM) is the Honors College at Maastricht University. It is one of the top ranked undergraduate programs in the Netherlands. All classes are small and are taught in English, utilizing an innovative pedagogical method called Problem Based Learning.

Quick facts about the UVM PLHC and UCM exchange

  • This exchange program is only available to PLHC sophomores and juniors. Within the context of the PLHC curriculum, it is ideal for students who wish to study abroad in the spring semester of their sophomore year because by taking a COR course you can satisfy the HCOL 2000 requirement.
  • Students need to be in good standing in the PLHC to apply.
  • The PLHC will select up to four students (dependent on the year) to advance to the OIE application process which has an August 10th deadline. UCM typically accepts the students that their partner institutions recommend.
  • Because this is an exchange program, PLHC students will pay the University of Vermont exchange tuition rate (see Finances of Exchange Programs) for the semester they are abroad at UCM.
  • Exchange students studying at UCM normally find housing in Maastricht University’s Guesthouse, which is similar to a residence hall, or in shared student apartments. Students are responsible for applying for housing individually.
  • Several students from UCM will also be joining the UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College community during the Fall semester which provides a great opportunity to begin building a UCM community.
  • The application process needs to begin approximately twelve months before the semester students wish to study abroad. For students who wish to study at UCM in the spring semester of their sophomore year, this means completing the application in the spring semester of their first year.

Additional information to help you decide if UCM is a good fit for you:

Application

There is a two-step process in order to apply to the UCM exchange:

  1. Honors College internal application – DUE 11:59 PM on June 15, 2026

    On the day of the deadline, all students seeking a PLHC nomination must have 1) completed OIE's Getting Started requirements, 2) completed UVM’s Go Abroad pre-decision phase and 3) submitted a complete application, consisting of a short essay explaining why you want to study abroad with the UCM exchange and a copy of your transcript.  

     

  2. Complete the final Inquiry steps in the GoAbroad process by August 10th. This is UVM's deadline for all students planning to study abroad on an exchange program in Spring 2027. OIE will direct you to fill out the direct UCM application when necessary.

    Apply for University College Maastricht Exchange