Student support
Even though an exchange semester can be very exciting, it also means adjusting to a completely new environment, which can sometimes be challenging. You may experience difficulties such as homesickness, cultural differences, or personal challenges. To support you during this time, we offer a range of student support services designed to help you adapt and make the most of your exchange experience.
Exam facilities
Students with a performance disability might need extra support during their exchange semester in Groningen. The University of Groningen offers various arrangements and facilities for students with a functional impairment, such as AD(H)D, autism (ASD), blindness, deafness, or dyslexia.
Exchange students who already have support arrangements at their home university can submit a request directly to the Examination Board. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that all facilities will be identical to those provided by your home university.
Please contact the International Office if you need to request exam facilities.
On the website of the RUG you can find more information about studying with a performance disability.
Study advisor
In case of study-related or personal problems, we advise you to make an appointment with a study advisor. Appointments with study advisors of all BSS departments can be made through the Student Service Desk.
Student Service Centre
Depending on your problem, your study advisor might refer you to one of the other facilities offered by the university: the Student Service Centre (SSC). The SSC offers a wide range of support facilities – student counsellors (financial and legal questions), psychological counselling service (personal and academic issues, short-term counselling), trainers and psychologists who provide workshops and courses to improve your study skills and to support your personal development. In addition, the SSC offers the possibility to join a study support group. However, these groups often have limited availability.
Course related questions
In case you have any questions about specific courses that you are taking, it is best to contact the lecturer and/or coordinator of the course. Contact information about lecturers can be found here or via the course catalogue Ocasys. Most lecturers have walk-in hours which should be mentioned in their contact information. In case a lecturer does not have walk-in hours, we would advise you to approach them after the lecture.
Buddy project
The BSS Buddy Project matches students who are new to the faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) with an "experienced" student (buddy) who provides informal guidance to new students. The Buddy Project aims to facilitate the welcome phase of new students and increase the inclusion of BSS students. Next to the one-on-one contact of the buddy couples, the organisation tries to build a Buddy Project community by organizing social and study-related activities. The International Office will inform you about the possibilities and the registration procedure.