Admitted students

When looking for accommodation in Groningen, we recommend starting your search early in order to have more options.

You can find all important information - tips and testimonials - on our dedicated accommodation pages

Managing your finances is an important aspect of your planning to come and study at the University of Groningen. Here are some ideas on how to plan your finances while at the University.

Paying your fees

Funding your studies

• University of Groningen Grantfinder
• Loans (US and UK students)
• NL Scholarship
• Student finance for EU students

Working while you study

If you hold a residence permit as a student, you are only allowed to work in the Netherlands if your employer has a work permit (Dutch abbreviation: TWV) for you. Your employer has to apply for this work permit for you with the UWV (information only available in Dutch).
NB. If you are a Japanese national you do not need a work permit.

In addition, you are only allowed to work for a maximum of 10 hours per week. Instead of these 10 hours a week, you may also do seasonal labour during the months of June, July and August. In both cases, the employer must have obtained a TWV (except for Japanese nationals).

If an internship is a compulsory part of your study programme, your employer will not need to have a TWV. Instead, you, your employer and your educational institution will need to set up and sign an internship agreement.

Budgeting for your studies

Living costs in Groningen are lower than in many other cities in the Netherlands such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam, but it is still important to plan how you will spend your available funds while studying with us.

There are a number of resources you can use to help you prepare for your programme and life at the University of Groningen

MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)

• Introduction to Dutch
• Preparing for University (run by the University of East Anglia for Bachelor's students)

There are a number of ways for you to stay in touch with what is happening at the University before, during, and after you arrive.

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• Pinterest

However it is that you plan to get to Groningen, whether you will be driving or taking a long-haul flight, you can get details on how to get to the city and find your way to the University.

You should find out as much as you can about the programme that you will be studying. The programme pages on the University website have a great deal of guidance and you can also look for your programme using the University's course catalogue Ocasys.

You should receive information from your faculty detailing how and when you can register for your courses. Please ensure that you follow these instructions. Should you have any questions, please contact your faculty's Education Desk.

The University card is your evidence that you are a student at the University and will be used throughout your time as a student here. It will state your name, ID number, a photograph and the fact you are a student.

Welcoming Ceremony

The University of Groningen has two Welcoming Ceremonies every year - one in February and another in September. We strongly recommend new international students to attend one of these ceremonies, as you will learn more about your new city, student associations, and you will get the opportunity to meet other new students.

Faculty introductions

All faculties will have an introduction programme to tell you more about what to expect when you start and also give an insight into your programme. Details can be found here:

• Faculty of Economics and Business
• Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Medical Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Spatial Sciences
• Faculty of Philosophy
• Faculty of Science and Engineering
• University College Groningen

ESN introduction week

The ESN introduction week is the best way to kick off your time in Groningen. It's a fantastic way to meet Dutch and international students! Get to know your way around Groningen, find out where you can find the best bars and clubs, learn about Dutch history, watch a comedy act and learn everything about transport throughout the city (even how to ride a bike!). You can sign up online!

KEI-Week

The city of Groningen has 50,000 students (roughly a quarter of the population) and there are a number of events that take part at the start of the Academic year to help you get to know others who have recently arrived in the city. The KEI-Week is the biggest student introduction week and takes place every year before the start of the academic year.

The Academic calendar runs from September 1st to July 30th and all faculties follow a semester calendar, with the first semester lasting from September to December and the second semester starting in February. You should check your faculty's Academic calendar for specific dates, as these can differ.

University closure days

An overview of the closing days of the University buildings can be found on the Opening hours and closing days page.

Regulations

The University of Groningen Regulations covering all the institution's activities can be found here.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offence, which involves stealing somebody else's work and claiming it is your (original) work without crediting the other person. The University of Groningen wishes to actively identify and prevent this and considers it a serious offence.

Committing plagiarism can have serious consequences for students who present someone else's work as their own. Some guidance on how to properly provide citations for your work and more information on plagiarism can be found here.

Study advisors play an important role in helping you make the most of your Academic journey while you are a student at the University of Groningen. They have offices in each respective faculty and are able to provide guidance, support and possible solutions to issues that might arise relating to your study at the University. Each programme at the University has its own study advisor.

The University of Groningen Library consists of the central library (UB) and a number of faculty libraries containing specialised information relevant to the faculty.

If you are staying in the Netherlands for longer than 6 months you are obliged to be registered with a general practitioner (GP) or 'huisarts' in Dutch. To find one you can ask your neighbours or your SSH student manager for advice.

Please take notice of the following:

• In the Netherlands you are not permitted to go directly to the hospital unless it is an emergency. If treatment by a specialist is needed, you should first consult a GP, who will give you a referral letter. Remember to make a photocopy of the referral letter for your medical insurance company.
• Remember to take your insurance papers with you whenever you visit a GP, dentist, hospital or pharmacy.
• Do not forget to make an appointment before going to any GP's office.

The Student Service Centre has a team of trained professionals available to provide you with support on all non-programme-related issues arising throughout your time at the University.

The University's Career Serrvices is not just there for you after you graduate, they are on hand to provide guidance on how to develop your employability skills, make decisions for your future career and find opportunities for further study or employment.

As a student, many demands are made of you, and you can run into problems over the course of your degree programme. Your physical or mental health, your financial situation, your safety, or other personal circumstances can all play a part here.

Fortunately, you are not alone: this portal lists all points of contact, sources of support, and initiatives in the area of student well-being.

Sports can play an important part in University life for those who have an interest in continuing to participate in a particular sport or wish to try a new one. Founded in 1945, the ACLO is the largest comprehensive student sports organisation in the Netherlands with 49 sports clubs (ranging from beach volleyball and rowing to rugby and golf).

An ACLO membership is great value for money and gives you the possibility of unlimited access to sports for the entire Academic year.

The ACLO has also recently added a second sports venue in the centre of the city, offering a wider variety of activities.

In addition to the University's sports facilities, there are also 59 student-run sports associations that you can join.

The best way to get around when you live in a city where 60% of all journeys are done by bicycle - is to buy a bicycle yourself. You can buy a second-hand bike at various locations in Groningen - including the bi-monthly public bike sale (information available in Dutch). All University buildings offer several bicycle parking bays (both indoor and outside), making cycling the most efficient way to get to and from the University.

Groningen is proud to have a very strong, diverse arts and culture scene, which is rare for a city of its size. The nationally renowned Groninger Museum regularly has a great deal to offer, including fashion, photography, design and paintings. The City organises a number of evening events around topics such as Arts and Sciences, Fashion and Food, so there is always something to do.

Sports play an important part in Groningen's culture and many of us either support a team or participate in a sport. The city boasts its own top national football (FC Groningen) and basketball (Donar) teams, as well as regular athletic races that take place in and around the city centre. These range from the Night Run and the Urban Chase obstacle event to the 4 Mile Race and Ladies Run.

If you are a music lover then you are likely to be in heaven in Groningen. Throughout the year there are festivals in concert venues, local parks and in the city's central squares, showcasing different types of music from Folk to House, Dance and Techno. Groningen also hosts Europe's largest showcase festival, Eurosonic, which has launched the careers of European artists like Ásgeir, Jake Bugg, Bastille, James Vincent McMorrow, Selah Sue and The XX. The city is also very proud to hold the annual 10-day 'party in the park' - Noorderzon which features music, food, art and theatre.