At the end of the first year Bachelor in Psychology, all students receive a Study Advice whether they are allowed to continue their study (positive advice) or not (negative advice). A negative advice is always binding: the negative Binding Study Advice (nBSA). It means that you will not be allowed to re-register for the Bachelor in Psychology programme at Maastricht University for the next four years.
COVID-19 related changes (BA)
The UM wide FAQ explains the changes in the BSA-procedure.
In short:
2019-2020: If you did not meet the BSA standard at the end of the first academic year, you received a postponement notice.
2021-2021: UM lowers its standards for the BSA. The implications of this for FPN will be announced.
The Academic Advisers wrote an extensive document about study planning and the BSA. It includes suggestions on what to do, depending on your progress so far, and several general tips on planning your study to optimise your chances of success.
Re-watch the webinar of 20 May 2020,
► May 2020: Tips for your study planning and explanation of the temporary BSA procedure
► Mei 2020: Tips voor je studieplanning en uitleg over de tijdelijke BSA procedure
Criteria for a positive study advice
Students who started the bachelor in or after 2018-2019 must obtain at least 42 of the 60 ECTS in their first year, and must have passed at least one of the two modules PSY1022 Methoden en Technieken/ IPN1022 Methods & Techniques or PSY1024 Statistiek voor Psychologen I / IPN1024 Statistics for Psychologists I in their first year. If you fulfill these criteria you will receive a positive Study Advice.Personal and study related circumstances? Contact the Academic advisers right away!
Personal or study related circumstances can be taken into consideration before issuing a negative study advice. It is of great importance to report personal circumstances at the time of their occurrence.Factors that may qualify include illness, special family circumstances, physical, sensory or other functional impairments and pregnancy. In a number of cases, administrative duties may also qualify for recognition as personal circumstances. If any of the these circumstances are applicable, you are required to inform the Academic advisers as soon as possible.
Formal regulation
The formal procedure is described in the 'Onderwijs en Examenregeling ' (OER) and the Education and Examination Regulations (EER). Consult the OER or EER of the year in which you started the bachelor to see which criteria apply to you, because the criteria can differ per cohort.
Procedure
| Procedure Negative Binding Study Advice | |
Throughout | Academic advisers and mentors invite students based on their study progress. |
| January | First Warning Advice email (to all students) The Board of Examiners will issue, on behalf of the Faculty Board, a warning to all first-year bachelor's students in the months of January and May to highlight the importance of achieving the BSA standard. |
| May |
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| July/August |
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| July/August | Postponed to 2020-2021 In this hearing you can bring forward the (documented) personal circumstances on which you base your request for dispensation from the nBSA. The BSA Hearing Committee will test the given grounds on admissibility and decides afterwards if the grounds will be officially recognised. The BSA Hearing Committee will take the advice of the Academic Advisers into account. |
| August | Postponed to 2020-2021 |
| 6 weeks after publication | Six weeks to appeal If you do not agree with the (negative) binding study advice, you can appeal within six weeks. |
Are you considering to terminate your study?
Always contact the Academic advisers to discuss your intention. Note that terminating your study will not halt the binding study advice procedure. See UM website > Terminating your studies for the administrative steps.
More information
Early communication is key. Talk to your mentor, the Academic advisers or the Board of Examiners.
See also: UM website >Student Guidance