OpenFieldMaastricht University Holland-High Potential Global Scholarship
Prestigious full scholarship funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and Maastricht University, covering full tuition and living expenses for outstanding non-EU students.
FASoS Research Institute: European Studies, PhD Contracts & Faculty Guide
Operating within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) at Maastricht University—birthplace of the European Union—the FASoS Research Institute is a world-renowned European center for interdisciplinary research in European studies, science and technology studies (STS), globalization, and modern European history. Renowned for its distinctive Problem-Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy and close proximity to Brussels, FASoS hosts numerous European Research Council (ERC) and Dutch NWO research projects.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Master of Science in European Studies: Governance and Policy in the EU
One-year, 60-ECTS English-taught master's program analyzing EU institutional bargaining, common foreign policy, regulatory harmonization, and democratic legitimacy in Europe.
Salaried Doctoral Researcher (Promovendus) in Science, Technology & Society (STS)
Four-year salaried doctoral research employment investigating how emerging digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and biomedical innovations shape European society and public policy.
Maastricht European Borderlands and Cross-Border Governance Project
Empirical social science research initiative assessing cross-border labor mobility, emergency services integration, and environmental regulations between the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Brussels European Institutions and Policy Consultancy Curricular Internship
Four-to-six-month professional internship placing graduate students within European Commission directorates-general, European Parliament offices, and international NGOs in Brussels.
FASoS Modern European History and Heritage Postdoctoral Fellowship
Two-year postdoctoral research appointment exploring contested historical narratives, European memory politics, and digital cultural heritage archiving in the European Union.
Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) in European Public Policy and Governance
Tenure-track faculty position teaching Problem-Based Learning (PBL) seminars in European public policy, conducting high-impact empirical research, and supervising master's and doctoral theses.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Accredited Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in European Studies, Political Science, History, Sociology, or International Relations with strong academic standing.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Completed Master of Arts or Master of Science degree with high honors (minimum grade 7.5/10 on the Dutch scale) in a relevant discipline, alongside a comprehensive doctoral research proposal.
- Language proficiency
- Proof of English proficiency: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in writing) or TOEFL iBT 90 (writing minimum 22); Dutch not required for English-track research programs.
- Research statement / Proposal
- Application submitted via Studielink and the Maastricht University portal including certified transcripts, motivation letter, CV, and scholarly writing sample.
- Application fee
- €100 non-refundable application handling fee for applicants with non-Dutch prior qualifications.
- Required documentation
- Bachelor's/Master's graduation diplomas, complete official transcripts of all study years, certified English translations, language certificates, and passport copy.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition for EU/EEA, Swiss, and Surinamese citizens is the statutory Dutch tuition rate of approximately €2,530 per academic year. For non-EU/EEA international students, master's tuition ranges from €14,000 to €16,500 per academic year. Salaried doctoral researchers (Promovendi) are hired as university staff members under the Dutch CAO NU collective agreement (€2,770 to €3,539 per month) with zero tuition fees.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at FASoS Research Institute:
Prof. Dr. Christine Neuhold
Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences & Professor of EU Democratic Governance · European Parliamentary Democracy, EU Legislative Decision-Making, Comitology & Governance, Problem-Based Learning
Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente
Professor of Science and Technology Studies & Head of Department of Society Studies · Sociology of Technology, Emerging Technologies, Technological Expectations, Responsible Innovation
Prof. Dr. Mathieu Segers
Professor of Contemporary European History and European Integration · European Integration History, Transatlantic Relations, Franco-German Relations, EU Treaty Negotiations
Important verification note
Facts reflect official FASoS Research Institute documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue