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About us Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences Psychology Education Bachelor

About selection

... for the bachelor's programme Psychology 2024-2025

Selection procedure

The University of Groningen has a numerus fixus for the bachelor's programme in Psychology. This means that only a limited number of students can be admitted. We have a maximum of 600 places available, which are assigned through a selection procedure.
The department utilizes this selection procedure in order to admit the most suitable and best motivated students. At the same time it provides the opportunity to discover whether Psychology is indeed the right programme for you. We welcome you to take part in the selection procedure.

Please find all relevant information below, watch the animation 'In short how selection works' and see how students experienced the selection procedure in the following video.

About the selection procedure

Selection is based on 2 criteria:

  1. Motivation
    In order to participate in the selection procedure all candidates will have to write a motivation letter in which you indicate why you would like to study Psychology in Groningen. The main goal of writing the letter is to make sure your choice for Psychology is a well considered choice. We will assess whether you have taken the writing of your motivation letter seriously enough, i.e. that you actually describe why you want to study Psychology. In this way we will verify that your application is serious. It also provides an opportunity for essential reflection on your choice. The specific content of the motivation letter will not be taken into account in the selection process, the selection test will be used for this purpose.
  2. Selection Test
    The selection test will give you a realistic idea of what the study programme has to offer and what it expects of you. It includes studying representative literature and a video lecture, on which you will be tested by means of three online multiple choice tests. This so-called curriculum sampling provides a good indication of study performance in the first-year (and long term) and hence helps us select the best students.
Application and admission procedure (upload motivation letter)

1. Apply at Studielink 1 October 2023 - 15 January 2024

Studielink is the central registration platform for higher education in the Netherlands (www.studielink.nl). Within Studielink you can select either the Dutch or the English programme. Please make sure that you select 1 September as the starting date, otherwise you might encounter problems during the application process. Please follow the instructions carefully.

Check admissibility by University of Groningen
After your application in Studielink, your admissibility for the Psychology programme is checked by the University of Groningen.
For holders of non-Dutch qualification(s); once the Admissions Office has processed your application file, you will hear from them within six weeks. If you are admissible to the programme, you will be requested to send certified copies of your high school qualification to the Admissions Office by the required closing date.

For general information and information on the Admission procedure, please check the pages for Dutch students / international students.
Please note: As of the academic year 2023-2024 all applicants with a non-Dutch qualification will have to pay an application fee.

2. Upload motivation letter 1 October 2023 - 25 January 2024

Write a motivation letter in which you indicate (approx. 250 words) why you would like to study Psychology in Groningen.
From 1 October until 25 January you can upload your motivation letter. When you have uploaded the letter successfully, you should receive a confirmation email. By submitting your motivation letter, you are automatically registered for participation in the selection tests.

3. Selection Test (online) 9 March 2024, 13:00 - 16.00 CET

The selection test will take place on Saturday 9 March 2024.  The selection test takes place online, so it can be taken from any location. Read more in the block 'About the selection test' below.

4. Ranking number & admission

The result of your test, in comparison to the results of other participants, determines your ranking number and thus the chance of admission.

On April 15, 2024 you will receive your ranking number via Studielink. You will be offered a place (rank numbers 1-600) or placed on the waiting list (rank numbers above 600). Places can still be offered until August 31. To keep the offered place, you must accept it within two weeks.

Shortly after April 15, you will receive more information about your personal results, rank number and how to proceed

About the selection test (practical information)

Date
9 March 2024
13:00 - 16.00 CET 

Location
Online (from any location)

Content
Three multiple choice tests:
Introduction to Psychology - Statistics - Social Psychology

Access
By the end of February 2024, you will be given access to the test environment and a short practice test to familiarise yourself with the test environment. Sample tests to practise with the study material will not be provided.

Students are responsible for having the necessary hardware (laptop/computer) and internet connection to take the exam. Please make sure to prepare in order to meet the technical requirements.

Additional time
It is possible to receive additional time in case of AD(H)D, dyslexia or other functional limitations. You will be given 10 minutes extra per subtest . This means the test will be available from 13:00 - 16:30 CET.

You can request additional time by sending a request to psychology rug.nl, before 25 January, accompanied by an official medical statement from an authorized person or organization.

Preparing for the selection test (studymaterial)

Study material

The study material that is used for the selection test will be provided as of 15 January.

General Tips on studying for the selecton test

  • You are expected to understand the theory and be able to apply this.
  • You are expected to memorize relevant definitions and formulas and be able to apple these/make calculations with them
  • We do not offer extra study material, practice questions or past selection tests. Serious study of the study material should suffice.
  • We do provide the opportunity to become familiar with the way the test is administered. By the end of February 2024, you will be given access to the test environment and a short practice test.
Dates and deadlines

In the table below you will find a brief overview of the most important steps and crucial deadlines. Keep to these deadlines, exceeding them will result in exclusion from the selection procedure.

What
When
Apply through Studielink
1 Oct 2023 - 15 Jan 2024
Upload motivation letter
1 Oct 2023 - 25 Jan 2024
Deadline request extra time
25 Jan 2024
Information on the selection procedure
and selection test
email from UG
Shortly after 15 Jan 2024
Webinar selection test (upon complete application)
invite in mid-January
Beginning Feb 2024
TBD
Selection test
online
9 Mar 2024
13.00 - 16.00 CET
Receive ranking number
email from Studielink
15 Apr 2024
Information on outcome selection test
and ranking number
email from UG
Ultimately 19 Apr 2023
Final date to be
offered a place
31 Aug 2024

Contact

Do you have questions about the

Would you like to know something about studying Psychology from a student expert by experience? You can email prospectives.bss rug.nl.

Last modified:18 September 2023 09.41 a.m.
View this page in: Nederlands