Kick-off activities
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 and set it to the.
Introduction to the degree programme
We start the academic year together on the welcoming day on Friday 28 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 28 is:
|
Event
|
Time
|
Location
|
|---|---|---|
|
Incoming
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9:30-10:00
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Entrance of the Feringa Building
|
|
Welcoming Speech by programme directors and academic advisors
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10:00-11:00
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Main lecture hall Feringa Building (FBG 5614.0095A + 0095B)
|
|
Campus Tour and Lunch together with mentor group
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11:00 onwards
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Zernike Campus (lunch pickup)
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|
Start Pienterkamp (not mandatory)
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Around 14:00
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See information below 'Introduction Camp'
|
Kick-Off Activities Study Associations
|
Date
|
Event
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Time
|
Location
|
Organiser
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
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September 31
|
Pubquiz
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19:00-22:00
|
Ballersz
|
Francken, FMF & Sirius A
|
|
September 1
|
Mobile planetarium, telescope tour, dinner with pizza and board games
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13:00-17:00
|
Sirius A camper in front of Energy Academy
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Sirius A*
|
|
September 1
|
"Crazy 41 Challenge"
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18:00-22:00
|
Francken Room (FB 5614.0143)
|
Francken
|
|
September 4
|
Board Games Evening
|
17:00-22:00
|
Nijenborgh Canteen
|
FMF
|
*Hi, and welcome to Astronomy at the University of Groningen!
We are Sirius A, the study association for Astronomy. During the kick-off period, we would like to introduce you not only to your fellow students, but also to some of the places where astronomy happens at the University.
During our kick-off activity, you will explore the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, visit the Blaauw Observatory and see the LDST telescope control room. The tours will take place in smaller groups, giving you plenty of time to look around, meet older Astronomy students and ask questions about the programme, student life and Sirius A.
Moreover, during the entire introduction week, you can find us in a camper van parked between the Energy Academy and Bernoulliborg, and enjoy some free cotton candy, together with savoury snacks, while getting to know your fellow Astronomy students!
Later in the month, Sirius A will also organise the Introduction Period Astronomy, or IPA. During this period, you will be placed in a group with fellow first-year students and paired with older students - your Astro Parents - who can help you settle into studying and living in Groningen. You will also very much be invited to join us on our Autumn Stargazing Trip! More information about the programme of the IPA and sign-ups will follow.
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into the Astronomy community!
Yours astronomically,
Sirius A
Study Association for Astronomy
Information Market
The Information Market will be held on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 from 09.30-15.30 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.
Several organisations will be present at the market, ranging from university departments to external organisations offering their services and help to (international) students. There will be poffertjes and a barista available outside the venue throughout the day. Take 30 minutes out of your day and don't miss out on what is on offer!
Escape Game
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.
Going Dutch: a crash course in culture & customs
Curious about the Dutch? Unlock the secrets of Dutch culture during our workshop going Dutch; a crash course in culture & customs on 10 September 2026 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