Hi everyone,
i am about to graduate from high school and am looking to study Psychology (in English) in the Netherlands as an international student.
I have boiled my choice down to 2 universities:
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) & Maastricht University (UM).
Both are nice schools. Having visited both and talked to the admissions officers, they assured me that I'd have very good chances of getting into either school. Tuition fees and housing aren't an issue and its mainly at which one to spend 3 years of my life. Both have Problem Based Learning and the content should be similiar, if not identical.
Erasmus University is a fairly specialised school, due to its reputable Business, Econ. and Medical departments. When I was there I had the feeling that EUR focused on these 3 departments and the others (incl. Psychology) are more there to 'support' these big three and therefore weren't all too 'important'. The Psy. students don't have their own building and main hub, they have lessons all other the place. Maastricht University is a more broad institution where to importance of the different fields are more evenly distributed.
This also shows in the student population and the campus vibe (i confirmed this with students there). At EUR I felt that there students are rather formal, distant/cold and career focused, due to that Econ/Business/Med focus. Also didn't feel that there was a huge amount of student life going on and the one which was there, mainly organised speeches and other 'career/networking' events. At UM the student body seemed more vibrant and 'chill' and overall much more diverse in their interests and plans. Overall less 'professional' but younger, alternative (hipster) and of a more diverse background.
The EUR campus (Woudestein) is very inconsistent, because it is constantly being renovated and new building are being built. It gives of a more company/office vibe and seems like a very professional place to work in, especially the new(er) buildings. The old ones (incl. the current library) are very utilitarian, run-down, GREY and almost fugly. Very intimidating. But this is something they are working at improving. The UM is more spread all over the city of Maastricht. Many old and nicely renovated buildings, old and new. They have a very nice main library and seem more consistant in their offerings.
In terms of city i have difficulties deciding which one I prefer. Rotterdam is a vibrant, big city, in close proximity to Amsterdam and TheHague. The architecture is again, inconsitant, but nice in its own way. As a larger city it offers mmore attractive night life and things to do. Maastricht on the other hand is much smaller, almost like a village, with very old, narrow streets and brick buildings. Much more idyllic (romantic) and a relaxed student town. I am afraid that the place may become fairly boring in the course of 3 years, due to its size and the things on offer (festivals, clubs and parties are in the big towns).
For psychology, UM currently has more compelling partner universities for me. While overall EUR, has better potential ones, meaning that they may exceed UM in this regard in the next 3 years.
Erasmus on the other hand is older and probably has the better world reputation. This may become quite important in what I would like to do later. Maastricht is young and is still building a repuation for itself.
I am currently interested in maybe persuing an academic career, where the name can play an important role. I gives me more of a pedigree for after the BA. I am also very interested in Economics and would like to keep my doors open for a MA in Bavioural Economics, where having a link to that field like at the EUR is very compelling to me.
All in all it boils down to this: My heart says Maastricht, my brain says Rotterdam.
Has anybody here studied at both or know both of them well? How are the future prospects for a UM and EUR student respectively, outside of the EU? How do both compare in terms of overall international reputation? Which one has a better reputation for Psychology (outside the Netherlands)? Which one has better chances to be accepted for a good Master in the US or outside the EU? Which one has more prestige (outside the Netherlands)?
Also from the perspective of non dutch, non EU people....
What would you go for?
Thanks so much for reading.