Prepare for your studies

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.