About PREMIUM
Programme Content
Programme Components
The Project
At the heart of the PREMIUM programme is the project. Together in an interdisciplinary team, you will execute a project for an actual real-life client. In order to execute your project, you will plan several team meetings (sometimes with your mentor) as well as meetings with the client to discuss or present your progress or results. At the end of the project, your mentor and client will assess together whether or not each individual student has sufficiently learned from, and participated in the project.
“My project on renewable energies stimulated me to find out about my personal interests. I am super happy to have gotten into this project, because I learned a lot about the renewable energy industry AND about emerging market (countries I was not very familiar with before). This project made me confident about the fact that this is the direction I will head to in my future. Thank you for that!” – Student about Project “Green IndusTree” –
Coaching
Each PREMIUM student is assigned to a Coach. Throughout PREMIUM, you will plan at least 3 one-on-one sessions with your coach, as well as a team kick-off session and a session halfway to discuss and work on your team’s dynamics. Together with your Coach, you will discover your strengths and weaknesses, develop professional skills you want to improve, or dive into anything else you want to tackle under the guidance of a trained Coach. Coaching will result in your very own Personal Development Plan, an excellent stepping stone towards your professional future.
“My coach was very professional and I enjoyed our sessions. This was the highlight of the PREMIUM experience for me.”
“My coach was a very valuable figure in the past months. She was truly engaged in my personal development and struggles, and she offered me all the support I needed.”
Workshops and Masterclasses
PREMIUM offers several workshops and master classes focused on optimal project execution as well as personal and professional development. Throughout the duration of the programme, each student needs to have attended minimally 6 workshops (3 mandatory workshops, and 3 elective). Workshops are offered on many different dates and times, but on campus, not online.
Offered workshop themes include for example: Discover your competencies, Students in the role of Consultants, Teamwork & Communication, Leadership, Negotiation skills, Public Speaking, Stress Management, Networking, and Time Management. Besides the workshops, PREMIUM offers as well a month long programme of optional activities aimed towards further career development “the PREMIUM Career Month”. All optional, all free, for our PREMIUM students to benefit from.
Perfect combination of practice and theory, excellent activities, excellent trainer. I can see it helping me a lot with the progress of the PREMIUM project and my group mates agreed on that. It will be also very useful for my professional life after the masters; I can already see different ways in which I could use it.
Central Events
Polish up your networking and presentation skills at our various annual central events. Practice your presentation skills during the Midterm Presentations, and meet with other (PREMIUM) students, mentors, coaches, and clients to expand your network at the Kick-Off and festive Closing Event. Become a part of the PREMIUM (alumni) community and build bridges for the future.
“The atmosphere is so great and I really enjoy it!”
PREMIUM Timeframe
PREMIUM is designed to take approximately 250 hours, divided over time spent on project execution, coaching, attending workshops and masterclasses, and attending central events.
Alongside your master’s programme curriculum, other extracurricular activities, and your personal life, PREMIUM is an excellent time management exercise.
Applicants should carefully consider their amount of free time and time management skills before applying.
- Project
- Coaching
- Workshops
- Central Events
When? PREMIUM will take place from January until the end of May. To be exact, the PREMIUM programme will kick off on January 8th, after which you will start your projects, coaching, and attending workshops, up until the closing event on May 28th. The Midterms are scheduled on March 19th and 20th.
Admission requirements & selection
PREMIUM is a selective Honours programme. After applying, you will be admitted to the programme once you successfully go through the selection procedure.
But don’t let that scare you! Just ask yourself this:
- Are you enrolled in a master’s programme at Maastricht University in the 2024-2025 academic year?
- Are you a motivated, responsible, and hardworking student, who is up for a challenge?
- Do you see value in teamwork, learning from students from other disciplines and background, and do you like to learn how to grow and overcome obstacles as a team?
- Are you eager to learn, to be part of an engaged community and would you like to put effort in your personal and professional development?
PREMIUM is a programme aimed at individual and team growth and development. We look for students eager to develop their potential, eager to become a more well-rounded person and professional tomorrow than they are today.
If this resonates with you, you should definitely apply for PREMIUM!
Your application to PREMIUM will be considered if it satisfies the following criteria:
- All PREMIUM students must be enrolled in a UM master’s programme in the 2024-2025 academic year.
- You obtained your bachelor’s degree (or a previous master’s degree) with a GPA of at least 7,0 in the Dutch 0-10 grading system as evident on your official transcripts, or you obtained your bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least a B in the international D/F-A grading system as evident on your official transcripts.
- Motivation and drive are more important than your grades!: Your application (by means of your CV or LinkedIn profile and essay) shows an intrinsic drive to prosper, a high level of dedication, motivation and team spirit. We look for students that are not scared of being challenged, who know when to persevere and show resilience, and who dare to look beyond the scope of their current discipline.
- All PREMIUM students must be present in Maastricht during the period January 8th-May 28th, or at least not be absent for longer than 2 weeks throughout this period. This is to ensure a proper learning experience of all students involved in your team. If you want to combine PREMIUM with an internship, please reach out to premium@maastrichtuniversity.nl, so that we can discuss your individual situation.
If you are unsure whether you fit the formal GPA requirements, just apply!
The selection procedure consists of multiple rounds and takes place from 02.12.2024-13.12.2024.
Round 1: Your application (GPA, CV/LinkedIn profile, essay)
Round 2: Speed date interviews.
Round 3: Team observation.
Please note that the selection procedure might require you to move around your schedule a bit. You will be informed about events that require your attendance well ahead of time.
Before applying to PREMIUM, please read the terms and conditions carefully.
