University of Groningen Index

Magazine A Bachelor's Degree at the 1

University of Groningen
This is your own personalized information magazine about the BSc Global Responsibility 11
University of Groningen, its programmes, the City of Groningen and Leadership
and student life. Enjoy reading it and we hope you like it! All Thank you! 12
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RANKINGS 2020

80 69 7
Times Higher Academic UI GreenMetric
Education Ranking of World World University
worldwide Universities Ranking
worldwide worldwide
01

Why study in
The Netherlands?

Quality Safe and happy Support

The majority of Dutch universities are According to the 2022 Global Peace Throughout your time at a university in
regularly ranked in the top 100 of global index, the Netherlands is one of the the Netherlands, there will be a strong
university rankings. safest countries in the world and is support system available to help you
currently in the top 5 happiest countries succeed. At the University of Groningen,
Duration in the world. this includes mentors, study advisors
Programmes in the Netherlands are and tutors who will be available to help
shorter and more intensive than a Post study work and give advice on aspects relating to
number of other countries, with a After graduating from a degree student life.
Bachelor’s degree usually taking three programme in the Netherlands,
years to complete. students will be able to stay in the Schengen
Netherlands for a year and work in Depending on your nationality,
Cost any field. international students in the
Fees at a Dutch university are often Netherlands requiring a visa will be
lower than those of institutions in other able to move freely within the EU
leading destination countries with to other Schengen countries without
fee status being decided based on needing a visa.
nationality, not previous country of
residence. Participation
You will be taught in an academic
Accessibility environment that nurtures independent
The Netherlands is now the largest thought and engagement in an
provider of English-taught study innovative and research-rich setting.
programmes in mainland Europe with
the University of Groningen offering
the most in the country.
02

GRONINGEN

Our locations
GRONINGEN

Living in the city of Groningen will place you in the heart

of a historic, vibrant student city with so much on your
doorstep. A year in Groningen includes festivals in our
parks, numerous sporting activities and cafe concerts.

1 Groningen is the largest and oldest 4 Groningen is a city of entrepreneurs

city in the Northern Netherlands with and has the second largest number
its own international airport. of successful startups after
Amsterdam.
2 The city of Groningen is the capital
of the province, which also bears the 5 The city has a top-league football
same name. club, FC Groningen (first European
team for Luis Suarez), basketball
3 Groningen is home to many festivals, team (Donar) and volleyball team
including Eurosonic (Europe’s largest (Lycurgus).
showcase festival), which launched
the career of artists including Hozier 6 There are many museums in
and Bastille. Other festivals include Groningen including the University 7 With roughly 150km of bicycle lanes,
Noorderzon, a 10 day performing Museum, the world famous it’s no surprise that the city is one
arts festival, and Stukafest, where Groninger Museum, which has of the best cycling cities in both the
student rooms are used as mini hosted David Bowie, David Netherlands and Europe. Around
concert halls and theatres. LaChappelle and The Rolling Stones 60% of travel happens by bike and
exhibitions. there are more bikes than people
in Groningen (1.4 bikes for each
inhabitant!). It’s no wonder that
Groningen has some of the cleanest
air in the Netherlands!

8 Oosterpoort is the largest pop

music venue in the north of the
Netherlands. Underground club
Vera has hosted bands like Nirvana,
Joy Division, Pearl Jam, U2, the
White Stripes and Sonic Youth at
the start of their careers.
03

LEEUWARDEN

LEEUWARDEN

Leeuwarden is where our Campus Fryslân is based

and the city was the European Capital of Culture
for 2018.

1 Leeuwarden is full of terraces which 4 Leeuwarden is the start and finish

can be found near the canals that of the world-famous eleven city ice
crisscross the intimate city centre. skating tour, which connects our
Around these canals you will also historic cities. With the change in
find museums, restaurants, bars climate, the tour is rarely held on ice
and venues where you can listen to but people have found other means
upcoming bands or attend a range to navigate the route – biking,
of diverse cultural exhibitions and walking, swimming, or even sailing
events. in a solar-powered boat.

2 Oldehove, the Leaning Tower of 5 MC Escher was born in the city in

Leeuwarden, started to lean during 1898 and is one of the most famous
its construction and has had a slight Leeuwarders of all time. He was a 6 Blokhuispoort was built as a fort in
tilt ever since causing it to lean more world renowned graphic artist and 1499 and functioned as the city’s
than the one in Pisa. his mysterious artwork has appeared prison until 2008. It now fulfills the
on the covers of many books and role of being the cultural heart of
3 The city was home to the royal albums. Leeuwarden.
family of The Netherlands who
lived at Stadhouderlijk Hof from
1584 to 1747.
04

Studying at the
University of Groningen

There are two main types of universities in the Netherlands: University of Groningen
research universities and universities of applied sciences. The University of Groningen is among
Research universities, such as the University of Groningen, Europe’s top institutions in the field of
academic research, with the internatio-
offer highly academic, research-oriented programmes that
nally renowned, ground-breaking
focus on specific subjects. Universities of applied sciences are
research undertaken by our staff
more professionally oriented and designed for those looking to contributing to all areas of society. By
enter a particular career upon graduation. choosing to study at the University
of Groningen, you will be joining a
well-established, globally networked
Research universities community where you are encouraged
There are fourteen research univer- to take the initiative through indepen-
sities in the Netherlands. A Bachelor’s dent study and research.
programme usually takes three years to
complete and typically does not include Our degrees are designed to encourage
work experience. You will be studying a you to think independently and develop
range of subjects before you specialise your own opinions at an early stage in
and, although the emphasis is on the study programme. Active learning
academic study in a research environ- methods are not only more stimulating
ment, our graduates find work within than the traditional lecturing style,
and outside the research community. but are also proven to help students
University of Applied Sciences develop their problem solving, critical
Bachelor’s degrees at the universities thinking, communication and inter-
of applied sciences often take four personal skills, which are highly sought
years and all include a work placement after by most employers.
as part of the programme. There are
41 universities of applied sciences in
the Netherlands with different areas
of focus and varying size. The style of
education is more practical with the
subjects taught often being different
from those at the research universities.
05

How will you have 10 hours of class per week, you

are expected to spend 30 hours of
Grading system
Exam grades in the Netherlands are
be taught? self-study. based on a 10-point system: 1 is the
lowest mark, and 10 is the highest mark.
Study year The European Credit Transfer The passing grades range from 6
The year is broken down into 4 blocks, System (satisfactory) to 10 (outstanding).
each lasting 10 weeks. In this block, (ECTS) is a method of measuring The limit between pass and fail is 5.5,
students follow specific courses for your study programme as academic generally rounded to 6. The grades 1 to
7 or 8 weeks, and in the remaining two currency. ECTS is used all over Europe 3 are hardly used and the grade 10 is
or three weeks of the blocks, exams and enables you to easily compare rarely awarded.
are held. This means that there are study programmes and transfer your
generally 4 exam sessions per year. academic qualifications from one

Free Online Dutch Classes
educational institution to another. Its
Lectures aim is to make programmes and the European Council research suggests
Lectures are given in all programmes performance of students of higher that 90% of Dutch people speak
and usually last around two hours, education more transparent and at least basic English, with the
although some may be longer. The comparable Europe-wide and to Netherlands ranked in first place
lecturer(s) will provide information on replace or complement the different globally for English language skills.
a specific subject or theme related to local (national) standards within Therefore, you do not necessarily
your course and based on the reading Europe. Courses at the University of need to speak Dutch in order to
material. Groningen are generally either 5 ECTS study and live in Groningen. It is still
or 10 ECTS, reflecting the amount of a good idea, however, to try out our
Seminars hours of work necessary to complete the free online course Introduction to
Seminars are interactive classes, course. Each academic year comprises Dutch as a MOOC (Massive Open
involving a small group of students and of 60 ECTS with a full Bachelor’s Online Course), which runs for three
facilitated by a tutor. In class you will be degree being 180 ECTS, and a Master’s weeks and will help you to learn the
expected to participate in the activities degree ranging from between 60 ECTS basics of the Dutch language.
and present on topics that have been to 120 ECTS.
covered in your lectures. Since the
group is smaller, you will have the
chance to ask questions and hold
discussions with your fellow students
and your seminar professor.

Self-study
Alongside lectures, tutorials and group
work, you will also be expected to
carry out self-study activities, such as
working on your assignments or doing
your readings ahead of lectures or
tutorials. The time you spend on
independent study will depend on the
programme you are enrolled in. All full
time programmes expect students to
spend 40 hours per week on their
courses, which means that if you only
06

Supporting you
Studying at university is exciting but it can also be demanding. of the SSC work from an independent
At the University of Groningen, you will have a wide support position of trust and are in most
network including mentors, study advisors and tutors who will cases the contact point where you
can request educational and examina-
be available to help and advise you on various aspects of your
tion facilities. For example, if you
student life.
experience barriers because of an
illness or a functional impairment.
Study advisors employable and to provide you with If, during your studies, you have
Each study programme has one or development opportunities in prepa- study-related complaints (such as
more study advisors who act as your ration for the graduate employment stress) or psychological complaints
first point of contact for questions market. There are a range of profes- (such as anxiety or depression), you
or problems before and during the sionals on hand including student can contact one of the psychologists
study programme. You can go there counsellors, coaches and student at the SSC. Courses and training
if there are extraordinary circum- psychologists offering guidance programmes related to study skills
stances, in case of disability or illness, throughout your programme to help development, stress management,
for information about the binding you consider your career options and personal development and more are
study advice (BSA) and your study develop the skills and experience you organized by the trainers of the SSC.
planning. They can also help will need.
you with questions about your Immigration Service Desk
programme, such as the study If you are unable to meet the team, The ISD is aimed at helping students
programme and the choices you there are several online resources with questions about immigration
can make within it. But also if you where you can find a variety of informa- matters, such as Dutch residence
just need a listening ear, the study tion including new vacancies, careers permit extension, opening a Dutch bank
advisor’s door is open for you. workshops and networking events. account, healthcare insurance, immi-
Conversations with a study advisor gration procedure, intra EU-mobility
are always confidential. Student Services Centre and registration with the city hall. It is
The Student Service Centre (SSC) located in the university so that you
Career services is the centre of expertise in student can easily be helped when you find
Our Career Service offers a wide counselling at the University of yourself faced with an immigration-
range of services to make you more Groningen. The student counsellors related problem.
07

Fees and Funding

The fees you pay and the support you are entitled to will depend
on whether you are classed as an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA student,
which usually depends on the passport you hold. Our tuition fee
information is up to date and provides you with an idea of what
you will be paying for the first year of your programme.

Tuition fees YEARLY TUITION FEES FOR EU/EEA STUDENTS

The University of Groningen tuition fees Tuition fees
for regular degree programmes depend
All bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes € 2,314 per year
on government regulations and are the
University College Fryslân, University College Groningen € 4,380 per year
same for Dutch and European Union/
European Economic Area citizens (all
EU countries plus Norway, Switzerland, YEARLY TUITION FEES FOR NON-EU/EEA STUDENTS

Liechtenstein and Iceland). Bachelor’s programmes Tuition fees
Medicine € 32,000 per year
How do Groningen and University College Groningen and University College Fryslân € 13,093 per year
Leeuwarden compare with Faculty of Science and Engineering € 15,080 per year
other places? All other international Bachelor’s degree programmes € 10,189 per year
Both cities have many advantages

!
which make them cheaper places to
study compared to other universities.
These include:
• Compact cities, therefore you won’t Important!
have to travel far between the The fees listed in this guide give an
university buildings, city center indication based on the tuition fees
shops and your accommodation. of recent years. Fees may change
• Both are known as cycling cities annually, and are made public
with bicycle-only routes – the fact in November for the upcoming
that the terrain is mostly flat makes academic year.
cycling a great deal easier. Current fees can be found here:
www.rug.nl/bachelorfees
08

Funding and scholarships LIVING EXPENSES

In recognition of the outstanding talent
Cost categories Cost per
of many international students, the
calendar year
University of Groningen is committed to
Study costs Textbooks, readers, photocopies. € 780
attracting, supporting and rewarding
Housing Rent (including energy, internet bills,
the best students by offering a number
excluding administration costs and security
of scholarships. Alongside our own
deposit of approximately one month rent) € 6,000
scholarships programmes, there are
Telephone Sim cards or a telephone plan € 300
a number of available scholarships
Food and drinks Groceries, etc. € 2,400
via external national and international
Travel expenses For students who do not have a Dutch
organisations.
OV-travelcard. € 750
More information Insurance Healthcare, third-party, fire and
www.rug.nl/grantfinder theft insurance. € 1,440
Additional costs Clothes, sports, relaxation etc. € 1,880
Total costs € 13,550

Living expenses
For the 2022/2023 academic year, the
University estimates that living costs
are approximately €11,000 – €14,000
(excluding tuition fees) a year. These
estimates include university accom-
modation, bills, food, books, clothes,
travel, telephone and social expenses
and are for 12 months.
09

Accommodation
Whether you are coming to the Netherlands for the first time or
you are relocating from within the country – finding somewhere !
to live can be daunting. You might be a little apprehensive Start looking for
about leaving what you know behind, but living in shared accommodation early
accommodation with fellow students can give you a great
The start of the academic year is
start to university life. The new friends you make in those first always an extremely busy period
few weeks will often remain friends throughout your time at throughout the Netherlands and
university and beyond. it can be difficult to find a room in
many Dutch student cities. Over
20,000 students will also be looking
for somewhere to stay in the city of
A place to call home
The University works with SSH XL
Useful websites Groningen at the same time as you.
Therefore, finding accommodation is a
to provide accommodation for inter- www.athomeingroningen.com priority and you should reserve a room
national students with residences information on house-hunting and as early as possible. For example, if you
spread throughout the city. All ac- living in Groningen as well as housing are starting your studies in September,
commodation is located within 10-15 listings in the city we strongly advise that you begin
actively looking for a room in April, or
minutes by bike from the University of
earlier. It is also wise to apply to your
Groningen faculties and the city centre. www.sshxl.nl degree programme at the University
accommodation website for students of Groningen in a timely manner
All inclusive rent wishing to find student housing in and avoid waiting until the 1st May
Including all utility bills, Wi-Fi, mainte- Groningen deadline, as this will delay your search
nance, communal cleaning (e.g kitchen for accommodation. The ‘reserved’
rooms within SSH properties become
areas). www.kamernet.nl
available at the start of May and are
accommodation website for renting a
usually fully booked within a few
Community room in a student house in Groningen weeks. In addition, availability and
Communal areas help create a sense of choice within the private rental market
community and ensure a friendly and www.rug.nl/accommodationblog become increasingly limited the longer
sociable environment. They represent a useful blog on how to find a home in you wait. Prices can also increase
great place to meet new friends. Groningen when there is a shortage of rooms in
the city. You can also consider looking
for accommodation in a nearby city or
Housing in Leeuwarden town in the north of the Netherlands.
It is relatively easy to find housing Most locations are within a comfortable
in Leeuwarden when compared to travelling distance from the Central
looking for accommodation in other Station in Groningen and can be
Dutch student cities. Find more reached by regular public transport.
information about accommodation Examples are the city of Assen (only
17 minutes by direct train) and the city
in Leeuwarden via:
of Leeuwarden (34 minutes by direct
www.rug.nl/cfaccommodation.
train). If you have not found accom-
modation before August 1, we strongly
advise you not to come to Groningen.
010

Next to SSH, there are also other AtHomeInGroningen

accommodation facilities in Groningen. AtHomeInGroningen is a useful website
that features listings and tips on
Private Housing finding accomodation in Groningen.
You can choose to find private housing, Check out their website here:
independent from SSH facilities. This www.athomeingroningen.com
can be done via a realtor or other media
like kamernet.nl. Looking beyond Groningen
Nearby cities like Leeuwarden or
Assen are great alternatives for
accommodation if you can’t find
accommodation in Groningen.

SSH FAQ
How long will my contract be? How do I pay my rent? How do I reserve my room?
In Groningen, SSH offers Short Rent is paid at the start of the month Once you have reserved your
Stay accommodation to UG by bank transfer or direct debit. accommodation, you will need to
students. You will receive a Other options are also available. pay a down payment and this will
contract for a minimum of 1 month vary depending on the type of room
to a maximum of 12 months, Is there a deadline for and duration of your rental period.
depending on the period of accommodation applications?
study in your first year. There is no deadline. However, once Costs & other information
all the rooms have been reserved, it Up-to-date information on
How do I apply? is no longer possible to be assigned the various accommodation
Once you receive your letter of a room. Make sure you are early with offered by SSH on behalf of
acceptance (provisional, conditional applying for a room to ensure a spot! the University (including the
or unconditional) from the university, all-important costs) is available
you can register on the sshxl.nl How are rooms allocated? on the SSH website at
website. You will be informed that Once you are registered, you can www.sshxl.nl/en/cities/groningen
the application has been sent to the choose and book a room in the
university and we will check and ‘my SSH’ portal. Rooms are The University of Groningen is
approve your application. This can allocated on a first come, first not responsible for finding accom-
take up to two working days. served basis meaning the first modation, this is the responsibility
person to book will be offered the of the student.
room. Please be aware that once
the rooms are gone there is no
waiting list.
 011

BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership

§11630§

Application deadline
Early bird: 15th January 2023
Interested in studying at an international University College? We offer a unique and Regular: 1st May 2023
interdisciplinary degree in Global Responsibility & Leadership. Get trained and
inspired to explore ways in which to address real-world global challenges through
Tuition fees (2022-2023)
local solutions. Do you see yourself as a global citizen? Would you like to use your
EU/EEA: € 4,380/ year
creativity to help solve global challenges? If the answer is yes, University College
Fryslân (UCF) is the right choice for you! Our programme is inspired by the 2030 Non EU/EEA: € 13,093 / year*
United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to provide students
with broad knowledge of the wider world (science, culture, and society) as well as in-
depth study in a specific area of interest. Duration
3 years

Is this the programme for you?

Location
You are ambitious and interested in global issues. You are socially engaged, open-
Leeuwarden,
minded and determined. In order to study at this University College programme, you
Campus Fryslân
need to be internationally-minded, intellectually curious and willing to take on a
challenge.
English language
Accepted
Course examples Career opportunities
English courses and tests
YEAR 1 • Policymaker
• Politics, Power & International • Big data project leader
Entry requirements
Responsibility • Environmental advocate
Dutch VWO degree or an
• The Earth System • Startup developer
international equivalent
• Explaining Human Behaviour • Researcher
with an English and
• Introduction to Programming • Sustainable development advisor
Mathematics requirement.
• Principles of Economics • Consultant
• Academic Communication

YEAR 2
• Diversity, Intersectionality &
Global Health
• Ethics & Global Responsibility
• History of Economic Thinking
• Living Lab research internship
• Psychological Perspectives on
Leadership & Organisations
• Statistics

YEAR 3
• Global Environmental
Governance
• Homes and Cars: Technologies,
Citizens and the Energy Transition
• Minor: study abroad/ pre-master
• Comparative Political Systems
• Information Technology and its
012

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Colophon Photography: Jasper Bolderdijk, Michel de Groot, Wouter Brem, Fotografie Hoge
Noorden, Peter van der Seijde, Elmer Spaargaren, Sylvia Germes, Gerhard Taatgen, Silvio
Zangerini Design: Willem Dijkstra, www.inontwerp.nl