University of Groningen warmly recommended by international students

When queried by people from their home countries, international students are very positive about the University of Groningen. In a survey, in which 1500 international University of Groningen students (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and exchange students) participated, the University of Groningen received the highest ‘recommendation marks’ of all Dutch universities.

The University also did well at the European level, finishing in 21st place.

The University regularly surveys how international students judge their studying experience in Groningen. The surveys are conducted by I-graduate, an unaffiliated international company, commissioned by universities and universities of applied sciences in Europe. International students from 12 Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences and from 203 European higher education institutions participated in the 2010 autumn survey.

Teaching and related facilities

The teaching and the related facilities of the University were judged to be the best in the Netherlands. At European level, the University came in 17th.

The international students are very satisfied with the degree programme content, the way exams and assignments are assessed, security at the University and in the city, opportunities to meet other foreign students as well as fellow students from their own countries, the quality of the Graduate Schools, the service provided by the International Office, financial support and the University’s IT facilities. In all of the above areas, the University of Groningen topped the Dutch tables.

Welcoming Ceremony

Housing and catering facilities remain areas for improvement, but the difference in this regard between the University of Groningen and other Dutch institutions is insignificant. Prospective students are often already warned at home that the infamous Dutch lunch is skimpier than they are used to. Finding satisfactory accommodation also remains difficult. The University and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences plan to work with the Housing Office to find ways to improve the situation.

More information: J.M.F. Borg, Academic Affairs department, tel. 050 363 5420, e-mail: j.m.f.borg rug.nl