University of Groningen
University of Groningen
- About
- Overview
- Academic Details
- Area(s) of study
- Useful information
- How to apply
- Student Testimonial
The University of Groningen, in Dutch Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, abbreviated as RUG, is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in the local campaign for Groningen, City of Talent. It has a rich academic tradition dating back to 1614. The University is known for its large international community with more than 4,000 international students from over 120 countries.
Academic Highlights
Groningen is among the top research universities in Europe, carrying out ground-breaking and socially relevant research, building bridges between disciplines. Their research concentrates on three main focus areas; Energy, Healthy Ageing and Sustainable Society. Ranked in the top 100 universities in the world, RUG offers over 35 English-taught bachelor's degree programs across 11 faculties.
Location
Groningen, located in the northern part of the Netherlands, is a vibrant student city. Groningen is also a safe and green city in which to live, with the quiet countryside a short bike-ride away. Most of the faculties are located in and around the city centre. The University's original building, which acts as the main administrative building, lies exactly in the centre of the city at the Broerstraat. Some of the faculties are on the Zernike Campus, in the northern outskirts of the city.
Did you know?
Every fifth person in Groningen is a student, which gives Groningen the highest student population density in the Netherlands.
Language of Instruction | Dutch, English | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester, 2 semesters | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
| Minimum Result Required | 60% WAM | |||||
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | 62% WAM | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027 | 7-8 places | |||||
Yellow | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
The University of Groningen separates their unit information based on the teaching faculty. You can choose from units that are offered by the following faculties:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Spatial Sciences
- Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society.
To find unit information start on Exchange students page and click through to the relevant faculty pages. From there you can navigate to the unit outlines (also called courses), which are often in tile/sections titled Courses and Exams or What Can I Study?
You can also search for unit outlines using their course search engine, OCASYS, or browse by faculty.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
22.5 ECTS* | 30 ECTS |
ECTS - European Credit Transfer System
*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
45 ECTS | 60 ECTS |
Academic Calendar
Groningen Autumn Semester (Monash Semester 2): late August to late January
Groningen Spring Semester (Monash Semester 1): early February to early July
See Groningen's academic calendars here.
Accounting | Ancient cultures | Anthropology | Archaeology |
Art history | Astronomy | Banking and finance | Biological sciences |
Business law and taxation | Chemistry | Classical Studies | Communications and media studies |
Criminology | Econometrics and business statistics | Economics | Engineering - chemical |
Engineering - mechanical and aerospace | European studies | Film and screen studies | Gender studies |
Geography | Human geography | Humanities | Journalism |
Law | Legal studies | Linguistics | Literary studies |
Management | Marketing | Philosophy | Politics and international relations |
Social and behavioural sciences | Sociology |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
As with most Dutch universities, RUG does not have own any student housing. They work with third parties, however, to have different Accommodation options available.
Visas
As a general rule, if you are from outside EU/EAA countries and plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for an entry visa (MVV - Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) and/or a residence permit (VVR - Verblijfsvergunning). The residence permit is the document required for students to stay and study in the Netherlands legally. Both the entry visa and residence permit are issued by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). For more information on visas, please refer to the NetherlandsWorldwide website.
RUG also provides advice on visas and required residence permits for your time in the Netherlands.
Health and insurance
Non-Dutch students are required by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to have health insurance while living and studying in the Netherlands. When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. You can also read the RUG information about Health services.
Orientation and extra-curricular
You will have to attend the compulsory orientation program before the start of your semester at Groningen with your faculty. They also have a series of Introduction events.
RUG works with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) to offer a buddy program for visiting exchange and international students that you can join. More information is provided on the Study in the Netherlands pages.
The RUG Language Centre offers a number of Dutch language courses available to exchange students.
Cost of living
Groningen has information on Living expenses on their website.
Funding
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Information brochure
RUG provide a PDF brochure containing information on accommodation, location and lifestyle in Groningen. For a copy of their 2026–2027 brochure, see here.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
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