Kick-off activities

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Kick-off Schedule

Introduction to the degree programme

Information Market

Escape Room
Introduction to the Dutch workshop

Introduction Camp

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During the Kick-off Activities you will be introduced to the faculty, the degree programme, the study association(s), and most of all, to your fellow students.
You can find these activities in the table below and in the UG Schedule if you search for your programme. We strongly encourage you to attend these.

Kick-off Schedule

You can find your timetable on the rooster.rug.nl

Please note that if you open this link before august, it maybe still set on the previous academic year. You can change that in the upper right corner. The welcoming event on Friday 29 August from 9 to 11:00 is not visible on the timetable.

Introduction to the degree programme

We start the academic year together on the welcoming day on Friday 29 August. During this day you will get to meet the programme director, academic advisor, your mentor and your fellow students.

Your timetable for Friday August 29 is:

Kick-Off Activities Study Associations

*Hi! We are very excited to meet you here, at the University of Groningen.

A few weeks into the semester, once you’ve found your way around a bit, Sirius A (your Astronomy study association) organizes the IPA (Introduction Period Astronomy). This is a two-week program full of fun and relaxed activities where you’ll get to know your fellow first-year students and some upper years too!

Each group of first-years will be paired with a couple of older students, your very own Astro Parents, who’ll guide you through the activities and help you settle into the student life in Groningen. From a treasure hunt and board game night to a themed borrel and a visit to the DOT planetarium, there’s something for everyone. More details will be advertised later!

We’d love to see you there and help you make the most of your time here!

Warm cosmic hugs,

Sirius A

Yours Astronomically,
Zara Siyal
Commissioner of External Affairs, Commissioner of Educational Affairs and Vice-Chair of Sirius A

Information Market

The Information Market will be held on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 in the main hallway of the Energy Academy. It offers an opportunity for you to get all the information that you may need to start your journey here at the FSE outside the standard information regarding your programme.

The organisations listed below will all be present at the market. There will also be poffertjes and a barista available outside the venue throughout the day!

@ease

Confidential Advisor

Honours College

International Welcome Centre North (IWCN)

Mobility & Internship Center

Student Administration FSE

Student Service Centre

Language Centre

Teaching Qualification - MSc Science, Education and Communication

Escape Room

We need your help solving a big problem! Prof. Ben Feringa, a professor at our faculty, won a Nobel Prize for his work on the development of molecular machines. But the Prize is missing! Can your mentor group find it in time? 

The game will take approximately one hour, including instructions and playing time. It has been developed as a teambuilding activity for your mentor group. Your mentor will tell you when you will participate in the game.

The door will not be locked, and the environment will be that of a regular education setting in terms of lighting and sound. The puzzles are varied and require the use of different senses. Some require you to stand and move around, for others you can stay seated if you like. You can choose which puzzles you participate in. If you need to take a break during the game, that’s possible.

If you have concerns about participating in the FSE Escape Game, you can contact your academic advisor or let your mentor know.

Introduction to the Dutch workshop

Curious about the Dutch? Unlock the secrets of Dutch culture during our workshop going Dutch; a crash course in culture & customs on 9 September 2025 from 17:00-19:00 @ BB 5161.0165. We will dive deep into the world of Dutch rituals, values and communication styles. We will also deal with essential habits unique to the Netherlands while exploring the drawbacks of stereotypes. Don't miss this chance to explore and connect with Dutch culture like never before!

Introduction Camp

A great way to get to know your fellow students as soon as possible, is the Introduction camp, organized by the study association of your degree programme.

Dear prospective first-year student,

This is your Pienter Committee speaking. Welcome to the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the wonderful city of Groningen! You have made an excellent choice in joining us. To aid in meeting fellow first-year students and welcome you to your study community, we are organising an introductory camp - Pienterkamp for prospective (Applied) Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, and Astronomy students.

The camp is taking place from August 29th to August 31st at de Loryann, Bakkeveen, to where we will cycle together on Friday the 29th, directly after the (Applied) Physics and Astronomy Introduction Day organised by the University (the Mathematics one is at a different time in the week). This will be a journey of approximately 40 kilometers (don’t be scared, we’ll take it slow), so make sure you bring some snacks and lots of water on the journey with you! Do not worry about the rest of your luggage, for it will be transported to the location of the camp by us via a van, though there is no need to pack heavily. After settling at the Loryann, you will experience the lovely first evening planned for you, including dinner and a special, physical version of the Slither.io game.

Saturday will be even more fun because you will be introduced to our holy Pienterkamp tradition, Vlaby, of which we dare not speak until the weekend of the camp! Aside from that, we’ll play some sports and finish the day with a pub quiz, karaoke, and lots of fun.

Sunday will be calmer as you will have the option of hanging out at the camp location or going swimming. After lunch we will, to everybody’s sorrow, depart from de Loryann on our bikes and cycle back to Zernike campus.

Sign up here! Further information such as what to pack and what to expect can be found on our website and Instagram. Finally, should you have any questions, feel free to contact us via mail@pienterkamp.nl. We look forward to seeing you on the 29th!

Your Pienter Committee