Starting at the University of Groningen is exciting…and a little bureaucratic. I learned (sometimes the hard way) that emailing the right desk first saves days of waiting. Here’s the simple, no-nonsense guide I wish I had on day one.

Admissions, registration, tuition fees, or your UG card → contact SIA

Student Information & Administration (SIA) handles applications, (re)registration and deregistration, tuition fees and payment, the UG card, enrolment/graduation statements, diploma verification, and official letters. Check their FAQ on enrolment & tuition fees first; it answers things like payment deadlines, how to upload your photo, and when cards are issued.

Rule of thumb: if it’s an official transaction or document, it’s SIA.

Whether you’re admissible or what to submit → contact the Admissions Office.

They handle admissions and applications (for Dutch and non-Dutch diplomas), required documents, application fees, and decisions. If you’re stuck in the Progress Portal, they’re your people.

Visas, residence permits, BSN, insurance, or registering at City Hall → contact the Immigration Service Desk (ISD)

ISD supports visa/residence permit applications and extensions, BSN, Dutch bank accounts, health insurance, municipality registration, TB tests, and MoMi study-progress rules. Their immigration FAQ is handy; if you’re still unsure, use the ISD contact form.

Scholarships or mobility programmes → contact the Mobility & Scholarship Desk (MSD)

MSD manages several scholarship programmes (e.g., Eric Bleumink Fund, NL Scholarship, Coimbra, and ICM). For Erasmus+ or Marco Polo, start with your faculty’s International/Exchange Office; most agreements are faculty-specific.

Timetables, course registration, grades, or graduating → contact your Faculty Student Support Desk / Education Desk.

Each faculty has its own Education/Student Administration/Support Desk. They know your programme’s rules, systems, and deadlines. This is not SIA territory.

Your study plan, BSA, delays, illness, or doubts about your programme → contact your Study Advisor

Every programme has study advisors (confidential). They help with planning, electives, BSA, delays due to circumstances, and can refer you to the SSC.

Study skills, personal circumstances, or mental health → contact the Student Service Centre (SSC)

The SSC is the centre of expertise in student counselling at UG. They have student counsellors (for exam facilities, DUO/financial support, legislation, and special circumstances like studying with a functional impairment) and student psychologists. Additionally, they conduct workshops and training sessions on time management, tackling procrastination, study skills, and other related topics.

Going on exchange → contact your Faculty Exchange/International Office

The individual faculties arrange exchanges at UG. Each faculty (Arts, Law, FEB, Science & Engineering, etc.) has its own Exchange or International Office that handles outgoing and incoming students, partner agreements, and admission steps. For Erasmus+, agreements are almost always faculty-specific, so always check with your own faculty first.

Careers, CVs, LinkedIn, or interviews → contact Career Services

You can book CV/LinkedIn checks, interview practice, and workshops. It’s never too early.

PhD options or Graduate Schools → start with the Faculty Graduate Schools

RUG has ten Graduate Schools, each with its own PhD info (admissions, vacancies, training). For general PhD life and training, see Groningen Graduate Schools and the Career Perspectives Series.

Still lost? If you really don’t know which desk to email, send your question to prospectives@rug.nl. They’ll make sure it gets forwarded to the right place.