University College Maastricht: Difference between revisions

students = 600800|

dean = Dr. [[MatthieuWolfgang SegersGiernalczyk]] |

'''University College Maastricht''' (abbreviated as, and informally '''UCM''') is an [[English language]], internationally oriented, [[liberal arts college|liberal arts and sciences college]] housed in the 15th century ''Nieuwenhof'' [[monastery]] in [[Maastricht]], [[Netherlands]]. Founded in 2002, it is the second of its kind in the Netherlands. The college is part of [[Maastricht University]] ({{lang-langx|nl|Universiteit Maastricht}}) and offers a selective honours programme with a high workload.

The Dutch Higher Education Guide (''Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs'') ranked UCM the best bachelors programme in the Netherlands in 2015 and 2016; in 2012, 2014 and 2015 they ranked UCM the best university college in the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.keuzegids.org/nieuws7726-university-colleges-alle-negen-top University Colleges: alle negen ‘top’], on website ''keuzegids.org''.</ref> In 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018 ''[[Elsevier (magazine)|Elsevier Magazine]]'' ranked UCM the best university college in the Netherlands in terms of student satisfaction.<ref>[https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/organisation/rankings-accreditations Rankings & accreditations], on website ''maastrichtuniversity.nl''.</ref><ref>[https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/news/ucm-has-topped-keuzegids-ranking-again-year UCM has topped the Keuzegids ranking again this year!] on website ''maastrichtuniversity.nl'', 23 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.elsevier.nl/kennis/achtergrond/2016/09/welke-universiteiten-en-hogescholen-zijn-dit-jaar-de-beste-367570/ Elsevier-onderzoek: dit zijn de beste studies van 2016], on website ''elsevier.nl''.</ref> It is a member of the [[ECOLAS|European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOLAS Partners {{!}} ECOLAS |url=https://www.ecolas.eu/eng/?page_id=19 |access-date=2020-08-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Maastricht University]], of which UCM is part, was founded in 1976, making it one of the youngest universities in the Netherlands, and as of 2014 has over 16,000 students and roughly 3,600 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/show/id=7051205/langid=42 |title=ArchivedFacts copy& figures - Maastricht University |access-date=2015-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119173602/http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/show/id=7051205/langid=42 |archive-date=2015-01-19 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref> University College Maastricht itself opened in September 2002, before moving to a new location in 2006, and currently has over 600800 students.

Education at University College Maastricht, providing [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Bachelor of Science]] [[academic degree|degrees]], is fully taught in [[English language|English]]. The College is a [[liberal arts college]] which is defined by ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica|Encyclopædia Britannica Concise]]'' as a "college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general intellectual capacities, in contrast to a professional, [[vocational education|vocational]], or technical curriculum."<ref>{{cite web | first = | last = | title = Liberal Arts: Encyclopædia Britannica Concise| publisher = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | date = | url= http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9370154/liberal-arts}}</ref> Classes are small, withput an emphasis on independent learning via a group process structured through the [[Problem-based learning]] (PBL) method. The courses of the UCM programme are contained within three ''concentrations'' namely the [[humanities]], [[natural sciences|sciences]] and [[social sciences]]. Of these students are required to choose one, although a combination of two is possible, in addition to a mandatory [[core curriculum]] and self-assembled [[Curriculum#Higher education|general education]], the latter picked from courses in a different concentration than the individual student's chosen concentration.

An individual student's curriculum consists of the previously mentioned courses, skills trainings and projects. With UCM using the [[European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System]] (ECTS) a BA or BSc at UCM will comprise a total of 180 ECTS. Students subsequently enrol in a maximum of 30 ECTS per semester, or 60 ECTS for a full year, with students receiving 5 ECTS for courses and projects and 2.5 ECTS for skills trainings. Students create their own curriculum, with help of academic advisors, by choosing courses located within their respective concentration in addition to a requirement to complete a core curriculum, consisting of four courses, and a general education requirement, consisting of two courses per concentration the student did not choose. The aim of this curriculum is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own academic preferences and talents and acquire all the expertise and skills to enter a high-quality [[Master's degree|Master programmes]] (see [[Admissions and Student Population]]).

Since its inception the college has established a number of international partnerships, allowing its students to participate in exchange programmes with subsequent study points counting towards their UCM degrees. InstitutionsPartner partaking in thisuniversities include amongst others the [[University of HelsinkiFreiburg]], [[University(including Collegea London]],flagship [[AarhusDouble University]],Degree [[Singapore Management University]]Programme), [[Chinese University of HongCalifornia, KongBerkeley]], [[PrincetonSeoul National University]], [[University ofCollege CaliforniaLondon]], [[George Washington University]],and [[UniversitySciences ofPo RichmondLille]], [[Queen's.<ref>{{Cite web|title=University]], [[KoreaCollege University]],Maastricht [[Australian(UCM) National University]]- Exchange|url=https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/education/exchange/science-and [[University of Western Australia]]-engineering/university-college-maastricht-ucm-exchange|website=www.maastrichtuniversity.nl|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

UCM's Jekerkwartier location makes it part of the larger city centre campus of Maastricht University including its inner city library, School of Business, Law faculty and [[Maastricht Graduate School of Governance|Graduate School of Governance]].

New students at UCM enrol twice per academic year, in September and February. TheyBoth entry moments follow the same admission procedures. Compared to other undergraduate programs in the Netherlands, the admissions process is rigorous and extensive. New students are selected based on a [[Cover letter|letter of motivation]], and ana [[interviewCurriculum vitae|CV]]. As of 2012, approximately 65% of eligible applicants to the college were grantedand an [[interview]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://searchwww.nvaomaastrichtuniversity.netnl/fileseducation/534bde732347e_rapport%20UM%20wo%20Liberal%20Arts%20and%20Sciences.pdfbachelor/university-college-maastricht/requirements|title = Admission requirements &#124; University College Maastricht &#124; Maastricht University}}</ref> The UCM student population includes about 50 different nationalities with 62approximately 70% of students originating outside the [[Netherlands]].<ref>{{Cite Studentsweb|url=https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/education/bachelor/university-college-maastricht/why-this-programme|title of= UCMWhy havethis goneprogramme? on&#124; toUniversity studyCollege atMaastricht other&#124; universitiesMaastricht inUniversity}}</ref> EuropeIn andrecent the US including: [[Harvard Kennedy School]]years, [[Harvard13.5% Medicalof School]],applicants [[Yalehave University]],gone [[Columbiaon University]],to [[Imperialstudy Collegeat BusinessUCM School]],which [[King'sis College London]], [[Graduate Instituteindicative of Internationalthe andhighly Developmentcompetitive Studies]]admissions inprocess.<ref>{{Cite Geneva,web|url=https://www.studiekeuze123.nl/opleidingen/99901-liberal-arts-and-sciences-university-college-maastricht-maastricht-university-wo-bachelor|title [[Georgetown= University]],Liberal [[UniversityArts Collegeand London]], [[OxfordSciences University]], [[Cambridge University]], [[(University College Dublin]],Maastricht) the- Maastricht Institut d'études politiques de Paris ([[Sciences Po]]), the [[University of Paris-Sorbonne]], theStudiekeuze123 [[Hertie- School of Governance]] and the [[London School of Economics]].Studiekeuze123}}</ref>

'''Universalis''' is a multicultural and multidisciplinary study association directly affiliated with UCM. It is run by UCM students for UCM students. Universalis contributes to both academic and social life at UCM. The association is involved in the organization of debates, poetry readings, parties, charity fundraisers, excursions and many other events.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Schools/UCM/TargetGroup/ProspectiveStudents1/EducationalProfile/TheAcademicCommunity.htm |title=ArchivedMaastricht copyUniversity: The Academic Community |access-date=2010-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205021009/http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Schools/UCM/TargetGroup/ProspectiveStudents1/EducationalProfile/TheAcademicCommunity.htm |archive-date=2010-02-05 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref>