Selection procedure Bachelor Psychology - 2026/2027

Apply with Studielink between 1 October 2025 and 15 January 2026
You can apply through Studielink between 1 October 2025 and 15 January 2026. On Studielink, select the English-taught Bachelor’s programme in Psychology. Make your choice carefully, because you cannot change it after the deadline. Be sure to choose 1 September as your start date, otherwise you might run into problems with your application. You can apply even if you haven’t yet obtained your diploma or language test results, but you must meet all entry requirements by 15 July at the latest.”

Entry requirements
You can find detailed information about the entry requirements for Psychology here.

After registering in Studielink, we will review your application to determine whether you are, in principle, admissible to the Bachelor’s programme in Psychology or whether we need additional information.

For applicants with non-Dutch qualifications: once the Admissions Office has processed your application file, you will receive a decision within six weeks. If you are deemed admissible, you will be asked to submit certified copies of your high school qualification to the Admissions Office by the specified deadline.

General information and details about the admissions procedure can be found on the pages for Dutch students / international students.

Fixed quota degree programme
You can apply for two fixed-quota programmes per academic year. These can be the same programme at two different universities, but you cannot apply for both the Dutch-taught and English-taught Bachelor’s programme in Psychology in Groningen.
Additionally, you are allowed a total of three selection attempts per numerus fixus programme. which means you can apply for the Psychology programme up to three times. For more information, check the studiekeuze123 website.

Transfer
Applicants transferring from a Psychology Bachelor's programme from another university, follow the same application and enrollment steps as other candidates, including selection. This means you need to apply via Studielink as a first-year student. After full enrollment, you can request exemptions through the Examination Board.

Students with an HBO propedeuse/bachelor
To enroll with an HBO background, you must demonstrate sufficient prior knowledge at the VWO-6 level through one or more additional exams. On this page, you will find information about these additional entry requirements, how to meet them, and the steps you need to take.

More information 
Shortly after January 15 (when registered with Studielink in time), you will receive further details about the selection procedure and the selection test via email.

Process and objectives of the selection test
The selection test aims to give you a realistic idea of what the programme has to offer and what will be expected from you. The test involves studying literature representative of the programme and watching a video lecture, on which you will be tested through three multiple-choice tests. The selection test covers the subjects Introduction to Psychology, Statistics, and Social Psychology. This so-called curriculum sampling provides a good indication of academic performance in the first year (and long term) and helps us select the best students.

Study Material
To prepare for the (multiple-choice) test, you need to study literature for the various subtests and watch a video lecture. The study materials will be made available after 1 December on this page.

Practice Environment  
To familiarize yourself with the format of the test, you will receive access to a practice environment mid February (after application with Studielink), which includes a short practice test. This practice test is similar in format (though not in content) to the selection test. Sample tests for practicing with the study material will not be provided.

Request extra time
It is possible to receive extra time in case of ADHD, dyslexia, or other functional impairments. You will be granted an additional 10 minutes per subtest.

You can request extra time by sending an emailto psychology@rug.nl before January 25, accompanied by an official medical certificate from an authorized person or institution.

Language
Both the studymaterial and the selection test will be in English.

Preparing for the test: general tips

• You will have to understand and be able to apply the theory.

• You will have to remember relevant definitions and formulas and be able to apply and use them when making calculations.

• We will not provide any additional study material, practice questions, or previous exams. Seriously studying the literature provided should suffice to pass the selection test.

• Make sure you test your computer/laptop and Internet connection in advance.
• During the exam, you will need a simple calculator; a graphing calculator is not required.
  

Make sure you prepare well for the selection test. To find out how other students have experienced the selection test, watch this video about the selection test for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Psychology.

You will be automatically registered for the selection test (when registered with Studielink in time). The selection test takes place online, which means you can take it from any location (including abroad).

Test date
7 March 2025
10:00 - 20:00 CET 
Within this time frame you can choose the time to take the test (approx. 3 hours, including breaks).

You will receive your ranking number through Studielink on 15 April 2026. If your ranking number is between 1 and 250, you will be offered a place; if it is above 250, you will be placed on the waiting list. Offers will continue to be made until 31 August. Please note: if you are offered a place, you must accept it within two weeks to secure your spot.

More information about your personal results, ranking number, and the next steps will be emailed to you shortly after 15 April. Starting on 15 April, the highest ranking numbers issued will also be updated weekly on this page.

The table below provides a brief overview of the most important steps and crucial deadlines. Make sure you meet these deadlines, because exceeding them will result in exclusion from participation in the selection procedure.

A total of 250 places are available for the English Bachelor’s programme in Psychology. Since a different selection procedure was used in previous years, it is difficult to provide a reliable estimate of the chances of admission

Based on the past three years, we can however note the following: the average number of applications for the English-taught Bachelor’s programme was around 1,150, of which an average of 25% actually started in the programme.

Questions on the selection procedure?
Feel free to contact us at psychology@rug.nl

Other Questions?
Visit our FAQ page, where you'll find answers to many frequently asked questions. If you can’t find what you're looking for, please reach out to Student Information & Administration. They can help with topics such as application, Studielink, entry requirements (diploma, language) and tuition fees.

Other useful pages:

• Application with a non-Dutch secondary education
• Application with an HBO propedeuse

Are you curious about the experiences of a current Psychology student? Our student assistants are happy to share their insights and answer your questions. You can reach them at voorlichting.psychologie@rug.nl