Dutch Biweekly

This 7 week Dutch course focuses on speaking and listening skills. Reading and writing are supporting skills that you mainly practice at home. The course is available in different CEFR levels, from beginner (A1) to intermediate (B2).

Fast facts

From beginner to intermediate level
English CEFR level B1 is a requirement
14 sessions of 2 hours in 7 weeks
Groups size: 12-14 students
4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
Certificate upon completion of course
Pricing per module:
- Students: €300
- UM & MUMC staff and Alumni: €475
- External: €605

Course Description

Right from the first lesson, you will actively engage with the Dutch language! You will learn to listen, speak, read and write. Attention will also be paid to grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. You will practise with your fellow students through various communicative assignments. The emphasis in the lessons is on speaking and listening skills, while reading and writing assignments are mainly given as homework. Of course, in addition to the language, you will also learn about Dutch culture. During the lessons, communication will be in Dutch as much as possible. If necessary, the teacher will provide explanations in English. You can learn Dutch at levels A1 to B2 with us.

Click here to review the CEFR levels.

Entry requirements and intake

If you have no prior knowledge of Dutch, you can simply register for Dutch A1.

If you wish to apply for an advanced language course requiring an intake, you can use the following options to proof your current level:

A statement of enrolment in a current course; at an institution teaching based on the CEFR methodology
The outcome of a recent intake at our Language Centre, maximum 6 months old.

Otherwise,you can schedule an online intake by sending an e-mail to languages-intake-nl@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Certificate and ECTS credits

After successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend at least 12 of the 14 lessons, be present at the final exam and have satisfactory results. One course is worth 3 ECTS credits. Whether these credits are acknowledged depends on your faculty. Please consult with your faculty / home university if these credits will be accepted as part of your programme.

NB Germans tend to make progress in Dutch much more quickly. That’s why we offer separate courses for people with at least a B2 level in German. These courses will start in September and February.

NB If you are not a student, we also offer Dutch courses for professionals only. These courses will start in September and February.

Dutch biweekly A1

This course is intended for people with no prior knowledge of Dutch. An intake is not necessary. A good command of English is however necessary for joining a beginners' course.

Once you've completed this module you will be able to:

greet people as well as introduce yourself and others;
ask for and provide personal details;
get around the market and the supermarket.
conduct simple discussions in the present and perfect tenses;
talk about daily activities such as work or sports.

Course material: Taaltalent 1 (2nd edition), Coutinho Publishers; ISBN: 9789046907559. Textbook for the group lesson, website for independent study. For sale at the webshop of the publisher: Webstore Coutinho. Also available as e-book.

Certificate A1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Dutch biweekly A2minus

You have a basic knowledge of Dutch and/or you have completed the A1 course. An intake is required if you do not have an A1 certificate.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

make appointments
buy and describe clothes
order in a café or restaurant
talk about public transport en travelling
talk about hobby’s and leisure

Course material: De Opmaat (Towards NT2 level A2)

Maud Beersmans, Wim Tersteeg | Boom | June 2021 | ISBN 9789024431991 |

A2min certificate: if you have met the requirements for this course, you will receive a digital certificate.

Dutch biweekly A2

This course is for people with a basic knowledge of Dutch and for people who have completed level A2minus. An intake is necessary when you do not have an A2minus certificate. A good command of English is necessary for joining a beginners' course.

Learning objectives

After this course you will be able to talk about the following in Dutch:

talk about your house
talk about health care
describe persons and their character
talk about work, professions and education

Course material: De Opmaat (Towards NT2 level A2)

Maud Beersmans, Wim Tersteeg | Boom | June 2021 | ISBN 9789024431991 |

Certificate A2: upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Dutch biweekly B1 minus

Registering for this course is only possible when you have passed the previous course or had an intake with one of our staff members.

In this course you will:

further develop your vocabulary and your understanding of Dutch grammar and address more complicated topics of conversation;
pay attention to situations related to your work or study, such as giving advice.

Course material: De Sprong ISBN:9789024457656 (note! this is the new edition) textbook and website.

Certificate B1minus: Upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Dutch biweekly B1

In this course you will continue with the second part of the B1 course. An intake is necessary when you do not have a B1 minus certificate.

Once you've completed this course, you will be able to:

prepare and participate in discussions;
give presentations about a current topic;
express your feelings and your wishes;
share your opinion;
talk about films, books and concerts;
discuss familiar topics, such as health.

The topics during the course are in line with the learning objectives for this advanced level.

Course material: De Sprong ISBN:9789024457656 (note! this is the new edition) textbook and website.

Certificate B1: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Click here to see when course registrations open.

Dutch biweekly B2minus

To participate in this B2minus course an intake is required when you do not have a B1 certificate.

Once you've completed this course, you will be able to:

use different tenses;
give advice;
convey and explain your dissatisfaction;
make complaints, decline offers and express your own needs;
argue, present and debate;
hypothesise and speculate;
rephrase your own words to avoid misunderstanding and correct mistakes;
letters and e-mails (formal and informal).

Course material: Please note new edition: De Finale (herziening 2025) | | 9789024465897 | NT2

Certificate B2minus: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

NB Boost your employability and apply for a free Advanced Dutch language course now. Go to UM Language Centre – Scholarships for more information.

Dutch biweekly B2

To participate in this B2 course an intake is required when you do not have a of B2minus certificate.

In this course, you will improve your ability to:

give a clear and well-structured presentation, as well as spontaneously answer questions;
use grammar correctly;
make summaries;
pay attention to intercultural aspects: discuss typical subjects for your country or for a country with which you are familiar.

After B2minus and B2 you are advanced enough to take the State Exam Dutch as a Second Language, programme II, if you like.

Course material: Please note, new edition: De Finale (herziening 2025) | | 9789024465897 | NT2

Certificate B2: upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.