Temporary suspension of the Bachelor’s-before-Master’s rule

‘Zachte knip’ 2022-2023

You can only start a university degree programme if you meet all the admission requirements and have obtained the necessary educational qualifications. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has decided that universities may waive this entry requirement under certain conditions.

From 1 September 2022, you may start your Bachelor’s, pre-Master’s or Master’s degree programme at the Faculty of Arts during the final phase of your HBO propaedeutic phase, Bachelor’s or pre-Master’s programme, respectively, if you have not yet fully completed this stage of your education, subject to conditions. This is so that you can make a start on course units in your subsequent degree programme and minimize your study delay.

However, there are conditions attached to the suspension of this rule. You may only start once you have fulfilled these specific conditions.

Admittance to Bachelor’s degree programmes

The following condition applies to all Bachelor’s degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts: you may be admitted to a Bachelor’s degree programme as of 1 September 2022 if you require fewer than 15 ECTS to complete the HBO propaedeutic phase that qualifies you for admission to the Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, your university of applied sciences must issue a statement confirming that you will be able to complete the propaedeutic phase on time. The selection procedure for selective Bachelor’s degree programmes remains unchanged. However, you may also start a selective degree programme if you require fewer than 15 ECTS to obtain your HBO propaedeutic certificate. Students with an HBO propaedeutic certificate are not exempted from the English language requirement. The relaxation rule does not apply to students who are admitted with a Dutch VWO (pre-university education) diploma or a foreign qualification or by taking an entrance exam; the admission requirements remain unchanged.

Admittance to pre-Master’s programmes

The following condition applies to all pre-Master’s programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts: you may be admitted to a pre-Master’s programme as of 1 September 2022 if you require fewer than 15 ECTS to complete the HBO programme or university Bachelor’s degree programme that qualifies you for admission to the pre-Master’s.

Admittance to Master’s degree programmes

The following condition applies to all Master’s degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts (with the exception of the joint Master’s degree programmes): you may be admitted to a Master’s degree programme as of 1 September 2022 if you require fewer than 15 ECTS to complete the Bachelor’s programme or pre-Master’s programme that that qualifies you for admission to the Master’s degree programme. You may only start your Master’s thesis once you have completed and passed (with at least a mark of 6.0) your Bachelor’s thesis. The selection procedure for selective Master’s degree programmes remains unchanged. However, you may also start a selective programme if you require fewer than 15 ECTS to complete your Bachelor’s programme or pre-Master’s programme.This option is not available for every international bachelor's diploma. Please contact the Admissions department for further information.

If you choose to do this, you will be registered for both your old and new degree programme at the same time. This is only possible in the 2022-2023 academic year. If you have not completed your propaedeutic phase, Bachelor’s programme or pre-Master’s programme by 1 September 2023, you will not be able to re-register for the subsequent degree programme. You will only be able to re-register once you have completed your previous programme. The results that you have obtained in the meantime will, of course, still apply for the subsequent programme.

At the Faculty of Arts, you may not start a degree programme if you need to obtain more than 15 ECTS to complete your previous programme. It is not always wise to start the subsequent programme if you still have to complete course units in the propaedeutic phase, Bachelor’s programme or pre-Master’s programme (especially units related to the Bachelor’s thesis). If you have any questions about your study plan for next year, make an appointment with a study adviser.

Do you want to make use of the 'Zachte knip'?

Once all your results for this academic year have been registered, send an email to the Office for Student Affairs stating your student number and your request for admission to the subsequent programme. If you are studying at an institution for higher education other than the University of Groningen, you will also need to submit a list of marks and (if applicable) a language test certificate.

If you have been admitted with a HBO propaedeutic certificate, you must also submit the aforementioned statement from your university of applied sciences. A decision will be made on your eligibility for this rule based on the information that you provide and, in the case of students at the Faculty of Arts, the degree programme in which you are enrolled. This request is separate from any other admission requirements. These requirements are assessed by the Admissions Board, as usual.

If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty’s Office for Student Affairs.

Last modified:

16 May 2022 4.37 p.m.

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