Study information

The Dutch higher education system may differ from those in the home countries of many students. Below is some brief, but important, information for interested LLB students regarding various aspects of studying in the LLB programme.

Academic year

The academic year is divided into two terms (semesters). Each semester consists of two blocks of classes and exams. Two courses will be taught in each block: one course of 10 ECTS and one course of 5 ECTS. Only the final semester of the programme has a different set-up in which the Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium will take up the entire semester (a total of 10 ECTS) and next to that some courses will be taught in the two second semester blocks. The first semester usually starts on the first Monday in September. The current academic year calendars can be found here.

Examinations

Oral and written examinations are used to assess students’ comprehension of lectures and required reading. An examination period without classes follows each term. An oral examination normally takes one hour. The duration of a written examination is two to three hours. In the case of seminars, performance is assessed and grades are given on the basis of papers, presentations, quality of participation in group discussions, and other assignments. Students should be aware there is the possibility that some exams will be administered digitally (computer based exam).

Grading system

The Dutch grading system is using a 1 to 10 grading scale in which 10 is the highest grade, 6 the minimum pass grade, and 1 the lowest grade. However, the grade 10 is rarely awarded. The scale used translates as follows:

10 = outstanding
9 = excellent
8 = very good
7 = good pass
6 = pass
1-5 = fail

In the Netherlands, grades are given on an absolute basis. Results of exams will hardly ever be adjusted to a curve, because we do not use a comparative system for grading. The distinction Cum Laude is awarded, when a degree programme is completed with an average grade of at least 8.0 or higher, including a Bachelor’s thesis marked 8.0 or higher.The distinction Summa Cum Laude is awarded, when a degree programme is completed with an average grade of at least 9.0 or higher, including a Bachelor’s thesis marked 9.0 or higher.

All assessments are graded in full marks. The only exception to this is the Master's thesis. This can be graded in half grades. The grade 5.5 is considered to be a pass grade in this respect. For all other assessments only full marks are given. In order to be granted the distinctions Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude, students are not allowed to resit an examination or score a six on one of the examinations.

Binding Study Advice

The University of Groningen has implemented a so-called 'Binding Study Advice' (BSA) for new bachelors degree students. BSA entails that if students do not earn a sufficient number of credits in their first year of studies, or if they do not complete their first year courses within two years, they can no longer participate in their study programme. First year students should earn at least 45 out of 60 credits within their first year of studies. On top of that, all first year courses (60 credits) should be passed fully within two years. If students do not meet these requirements, they cannot continue the LLB programme. This BSA, among others, encourages students to examine carefully if the programme they are applying to is suitable for them. If a student receives a negative advice after the first or second year, that student is banned from similar programmes at our University for two years in total.

Tuition fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for students depend on their country of origin - from inside or outside of the EU/EEA. Fees are indexed each year by the Dutch government. The tuition fee does not include costs of travel, living, accommodation, insurance, books and readers. Current tuition fees for the University of Groningen can be seen here.

For scholarship possibilities you can best check the University of Groningen Grantfinder . The Grantfinder offers prospective students a scholarship database in which to enter their personal and study details, and then initiate a search in which the database will list the distinct scholarships that they are eligible to apply for. Unfortunately only a very limited number of scholarships exist for bachelor students at the University of Groningen.