Student life
A lecture in the morning, lunch with friends in the city centre, a sports session in the afternoon. In Groningen, it is easy to fit different parts of student life into your day, with cafés, shops and places to meet just a short bike ride away.
Make Groningen your campus
Groningen is a city where students are part of everyday life. University buildings, cafés, shops, sports facilities and student homes are spread throughout the city, so there is no single campus where student life takes place. Instead, the city itself becomes your campus.
Cycle to your lecture in the morning, meet a friend for coffee afterwards, pick up some groceries on the way home and head out again in the evening. Whether you live in the city centre, near the university campus or somewhere further out, getting around is easy by bike.
Studentlife in Leeuwarden
If you study at Campus Fryslân, your student life takes place in Leeuwarden, the capital of the province of Fryslân. It has a different feel from Groningen, with a smaller city centre, canals, historic buildings and a close-knit student community. You can get around easily by bike, spend time in one of the city's cafés or cultural venues, or explore the Frisian landscape just outside the city.
Leeuwarden is also a great place to experience something a little different. Fryslân has its own language, traditions and culture, and the city is a starting point for discovering the province, from its lakes and countryside to the Wadden Islands.
Find your people
Starting university is also about finding people who share your interests. Groningen has a wide range of student associations, from sports and study associations to cultural and social organisations. Joining one is a great way to meet people outside your programme and try something you might not have considered before.
You can get involved in sports through ACLO, take part in cultural activities and courses at USVA, or join one of the many associations connected to your studies or interests. And when you first arrive, the KEI-week and ESN Groningen offer opportunities to meet other students and get to know the city.
Something is always happening
There is plenty to do once your books are closed. Groningen has a lively music and cultural scene, with concerts, exhibitions, festivals, theatre and events taking place throughout the year.
You might discover a new band at a small venue, spend an afternoon at a festival, see a film with friends or simply find a favourite café to return to. And yes, Groningen has plenty of places to go out too. From student nights to live music and late-night venues, there is room for a night out when you feel like it.
Take a break from the city
Groningen is surrounded by a very different kind of landscape. Within the province, you can find open fields, forests, waterways, villages and the Wadden coast. It is easy to leave the city behind for an afternoon of cycling, walking or simply getting some fresh air.
The Wadden Islands are another option when you want a longer escape. Head north, take the ferry and you can spend a day or weekend exploring the islands, walking along the beach or watching the changing landscape of the Wadden Sea.
Explore beyond Groningen
Living in Groningen also gives you a good starting point for discovering more of the Netherlands. Cities such as Leeuwarden, Zwolle and Amsterdam can be reached by public transport, while other Dutch cities make easy destinations for a day trip or weekend away.
And you don't always have to travel far. One of the things that makes living in Groningen special is the combination of a lively student city and plenty of space to explore just beyond it.
Wherever your interests take you, Groningen gives you the freedom to make student life your own.
Ben je een Nederlandse studiekiezer? Ga dan naar onze pagina's voor Nederlandse studenten.