UWC Maastricht

Maastricht, The Netherlands

About UWC Maastricht: UWC Maastricht, also known as UWCM, is an international school in Netherlands. The school is for students age 4 to 19 and is one of 18 UWC schools worldwide.

School Mission: UWC Maastricht brings together young people from all directions of life to work together towards a peaceful and sustainable future.

Visit the USC Maastricht website for more info about the school.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Highly recommend – if you’re looking for a school in Europe, UWCM is a great option. While the package isn’t as high as you’d expect in other locations (like Asia or the Middle East), it has many benefits and the student and teacher population is highly diverse.

Many families rave about this school and living in the Netherlands in general. Expect a safe family-friendly environment, with high quality education and a great lifestyle.

Overall compensation package rating

The package is strong for Europe.

A key benefit is the Dutch 30% ruling, a tax exemption scheme for highly skilled migrants. Under this ruling, 30% of your gross salary is tax-free for up to five years, significantly boosting your net income.

Tuition benefits

Full tuition for up to two children (who meet the admissions criteria).

Housing

No housing provided – however the school will offer advice on finding housing.

Flights

Flights are provided at the beginning of placement.

Healthcare

We can’t source any information about medical coverage provided by the school – but as a Dutch resident you can register for public health insurance, which is mandatory for all residents.

Adjustment for kids

With around 1,000 students attending the school (with the majority in secondary school) the student population is highly diverse (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America).

The teaching staff is also highly diverse.

Average class sizes

Class sizes average 22 students across most age levels.

Teaching experience required

You’ll need to have at least two years teaching experience to apply at this school. For non-EU staff you will need a Bachelor and/or Masters degree (along with your teaching qualification or license).

Many teachers at the school hold a Master’s degree.

Curriculum

International Baccalaureate (PYP, MP and DP).

Retirement/pension benefits

Teachers are required to pay into the State pension scheme (8%) which the school matches.

School history & stability

The school was founded in 2009.

UWC Maastricht – Additional Benefits

  • Tuition for up to 2 children
  • Relocation allowance at the beginning of contract
  • Laptop allowance
  • Teacher induction program
  • Pay scale based on experience
  • Set PD budget for each teacher
  • A market scene in Maastricht, Netherlands with people exploring the various stalls
  • Scenic view of boats moored on the river in Maastricht, the Netherlands
  • Black and white photo of Maastricht riverfront - what you can see daily if you work at UWC Maastricht

What Teachers are Saying About UWC Maastricht

UWC Maastricht is an IB World school and is truly one of the most diverse populations of teachers and students I’ve ever experienced.

CURRENT TEACHER AT UWC MAASTRICHT

Expect excellent colleagues, a diverse student population, and the freedom to be your own type of teacher. However, the housing market is currently quite tough in the Netherlands, so it may be a struggle on one salary to find something suitable.

CURRENT TEACHER< UWCM

The school is in a great location. It’s really safe here and you can expect a good quality of life. You might not be living it up like you can in other areas on higher packages, but it’s great for families.

INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, UWCM

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Very Good – Maastricht is considered one of the safest cities in the Netherlands. It has low crime rates, reliable emergency services, and it’s walkable. Expat families typically feel secure living here, with good infrastructure and healthcare systems.
  • Adaptability: High – With excellent public transport, widespread English, and a friendly international community, Maastricht is very welcoming. It offers culture, green space, and modern convenience, so it’s easy for teaching families to settle.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate to High – Day-to-day costs like groceries and utilities are reasonable by European standards, but housing can be expensive and competitive, especially for larger families.

General Overview for Teaching Families

UWC Maastricht is a well respected IB Continuum school located in the Netherlands. There are almost 1,000 students at the campus from over 100 nationalities. As part of the United World College (UWC) movement, the school combines academic excellence with a mission to promote peace, sustainability, and intercultural understanding.

The school offers the full IB programme (PYP, MYP, DP) and emphasizes experiential learning, service, and student-led initiatives. Teachers play an active role in co-curricular (expect a minimum of four hours per week) and pastoral care, and are drawn from around the world. The school states they carefully recruit staff who share their values. And they offer many opportunities for continuous learning and PD to help teachers to grow.

UWCM offers a competitive salary, relocation support, and full tuition for two dependents. You can expect a values-driven, international environment and access to a progressive European lifestyle. Initial contracts are for one year, and the school year begins in August.

Do you work at UWCM? We’d love to hear your story. Get in touch to share your experience!

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