Utrecht University vs Maastricht University

Utrecht University locations concentrate in three main areas: Utrecht Science Park/De Uithof, the University Quarter in the city centre and the International Campus Utrecht (ICU).

Maastricht University is located in buildings in two separate locations in Maastricht. The arts, humanities and social science departments are housed in a number of historic buildings in the city center, while psychology, the medical and life sciences are based in the modern Randwyck campus on the outskirts of the city.

Living on the University College Utrecht campus is part of your education. Living with people from all over the world, who are studying many different subjects is an enriching experience that enables you to develop valuable life skills. The university’s campus is modelled broadly on North American college campuses where student accommodation, classrooms, facilities for sports, cultural and social activities and staff offices are all located together on one site. Housing is guaranteed for all University College Utrecht students for the duration of the programme. The student accommodation is located in several residence halls on campus. The University College Student Association (UCSA) strives to enrich the non-academic life of all students with social and cultural activities. It consists of over 40 committees and clubs that organise activities, workshops, performances, parties and trips throughout the year.  The campus has a café, social and cultural areas for students, a meditation room, and sports facilities (indoor sports centre, tennis/football court, volleyball court, basketball court, table tennis table). The UCSA College Bar, run by students, is a prime location for social gatherings.

UCM is a place where you not only develop your academic knowledge and skills, but you also get a chance to be part of a vibrant academic community. Students connect easily with other students and staff, aided by both a culture and a building that promote interaction and engagement in extracurricular activities. UCM hosts the diverse and engaging UCM study association, Universalis. This multicultural and multi-disciplinary student organization, run by UCM students, aims to offer its members academic and social development opportunities as a supplement to the regular UCM curriculum. Within Universalis there are fourteen different committees to provide UCM students with exciting initiatives and fun extracurricular activities.. Each committee takes care of a specific aspect of student life at UCM. For example, the Sports Committee organizes events that give UCM students the opportunity to engage in sports, the Party Committee hosts many thrilling parties every year, while the Politics Committee practices discussing delicate political topics and controversial issues in UCM's 'Tough Talks' and at the EuroMUN. 

Some hallmarks of Universalis' activities: the Universalis Ski Trip to France, a week full of ski and snowboard fun in the French Alps; hitch-hike trips to Bruges and Geneva, weekends of blind trips; and great parties in rented bars around Maastricht, dancing and socializing in different hilarious styles depending on the night’s theme.

Willem Einthoven (doctor and physiologist), Gerard ‘t Hooft (theorist physicist), Rutger Bregman (historian), Jan Terlouw (politician, physicist, author)

Kelly Weekers (Tv host, model), Sabine Uitslag (politician), Hanna Novosad (politician, activist, civil servant), Jean pieters (biochemist)