Starting this year, the Psychology Programme has implemented a decentralized selection procedure. Basically this means that our Faculty will select students for admission to our BA Psychology programme based on their results in entrance tests. We have decided to use this system to admit only the most capable and motivated students in case we receive more applications than we have places available. But don’t be scared off: This year we have 850 places available, which is more than last year, and even last year all students were finally admitted.
Please note: To be admitted you need to have a secondary school certificate comparable to a Dutch VWO diploma (i.e. Abitur, 2 A levels (grade A-E) + 3 GCSE’s (grade A-C), leaving certificate etc.) You can only participate in the testing day if you have a diploma that is comparable to the Dutch VWO diploma or if you can prove you will attain a diploma comparable to the Dutch VWO diploma in 2012.
For the entrance tests
you will have to come to Groningen in person to take the tests during our testing day held on June 2nd, 2012. If you live outside Europe, you will have the possibility to make a digital entrance test. Countries considered within Europe are listed in this file [PDF]. The test results will decide your ranking as compared to the other tested students, and thus determine whether you are admitted to the programme. For example, if less than 850 prospective students do the tests, they will all be admitted to the programme. However, if 1000 applicants show up for the tests, the 150 applicants with the lowest test scores will not be sure of a place but will be put on a waiting list. Please find more information about the tests in step 3 below.
The new procedure consists of the following steps:
Step 1: Application
Please apply for our English full-time Psychology programme through www.rug.studielink.nl before May 15th.
Make sure you select decentralized selection. Without it we can not include you in our selection procedure.
If you apply after May 15th, you will be placed on a waiting list. In that case, you do not have to upload a motivation letter, and you do not have to sit the test. However, you can only be admitted to the programme on the condition that there are still places left after the decentralized selection procedure.
Step 2: Motivation letter and supporting documents
Please upload your motivation letter of max. 250 words explaining why you would like to study Psychology in Groningen. This motivation letter is mandatory and the deadline is May 15th.
Send a copy of your passport or ID card before May 15th to: admissions.gmw@rug.nl or send a hard copy to the central administration:
University of Groningen
SIA
Postbus 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
If by that time you already hold an EU secondary or higher education diploma, please send it to the UO (this is the Dutch Ministry of Education) before June 1st, 2012:
DUO/CBAP
Postbus 30157
9700 LJ Groningen
The Netherlands
If you do not hold an EU diploma
at that time but expect to graduate before August 2012, then you can still send it to the abovementioned DUO address no later than June 23rd , 2012. If you do not have your diploma by that deadline you can get an extension of that deadline through the form called “verlate inzending”, sent to you by the DUO after May 1st. The deadline will then be extended to August 1st. ONLY for UK and IB students can the deadline been extended to September 1st. Please note:
Documents HAVE to be in the possession of the demanding parties before the aforementioned deadlines!
Students who do not have an EU diploma should send a hard copy of their diploma to our administration as soon as possible.
The Address is:
Admissions GMW (I.M. de Boer)
Gr. Kruisstraat 2/1
9712 TS Groningen
The Netherlands
We need to verify non-EU diplomas before the DUO deadlines mentioned above, so please make sure you send them to us in time!
After you have uploaded your motivation letter, you will receive an invitation for our testing day which will take place on June 2nd, 2012.
Step 3: Testing Day - June 2nd, 2012
VERY IMPORTANT: Students from Europe are required to appear in person to take the tests in Groningen. Students from outside Europe have the possibility to take the entrance test online. These students will receive information about this options through e-mail.
If you cannot make it to the testing day on June 2nd, please let us know as soon as possible, but no later than May 15 th
. Please let us know why you are unable to come when you report your absence. This reason will determine if you can be considered for an online entrance test. Please send an e-mail with the reason of your absence and supporting documents to
K.W.L.Kraak@rug.nl
.
Not being present at our selection day will, in general, result in a lower ranking!
We highly discourage applying for the waiting list after May 15th.
The testing day will consist of four parts: a Mathematics test, a Biology test, an English test and a Motivational test. Please note that you can compensate tests. For example, if Mathematics is not your best subject, you can still be admitted based on your motivation letter; and the same goes for Biology and English.
The tests will be at Dutch VWO level, which is equal to any secondary school diploma that is admissible. So, if you had Mathematics, Biology, and English as exam courses, you should be able complete the tests successfully. If you did not have exams in these subjects, or if you want to brush up on these subjects, check out the link on this page [PDF]for available literature you could study to prepare.
If you want to brush up on your Mathematics you can find some example questions here [PDF] (answer key Mathematics [PDF]). For example questions on Biology, please click here [PDF] (answer key Biology [PDF]).
Please read this document [PDF]for practical information concerning the testing day.
Step 4: Admission
Two weeks after the tests you will be informed about your ranking based on your test results. If you are ranked in the top 850, you are almost certainly selected. Note: Final admission will be announced by the DUO mid-July. Your selection based on ranking is a good indication for admittance, but not an official admission!
If you have any questions regarding the application please contact admissions.gmw@rug.nl
If you have any questions regarding the decentralized selection procedure please contact K.W.L.Kraak@rug.nl
