The university of Groningen

If you were to look at a map of The Netherlands you might consider Groningen to be far away, but in real terms it’s much closer than you think. Direct flights from London to direct area cheaper than a peak single rail fare from Birmingham to London! The city is well worth the trip! It’s a vibrant, youthful (25% of residents are under 30 years old) city and is considered to be a progressive metropolis amongst European cities. The city is full of shops, bars, restaurants and there is a packed calendar of free festivals for residents to take advantage throughout the year. Groningen has been designed with living in mind. You don’t need a car, everything is a short 20 minute cycle away and a number of pro-cycling initiatives make the city a easy and very safe city to cycle in.

The university of Groningen has been described as an international cul-de-sac because of where it is positioned in The Netherlands. However, I would argue that it’s not your traditional cul-de-sac with one entrance and the same exit. Students come to Groningen through the same entrance but leave with a range of “exit” possibilities including postgrad, employment, travel, and gap years. You won’t leave Groningen the same as you came into Groningen, you’ll leave with a completely new perspective on life and your position within the global world!

The University is a research university with a global outlook and is a city of talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. Across my journey, the University of Groningen, ranks well for liveability, that’s more a subjective measure than anything else!

The University has around 27,000 students and 5500 staff members from home and abroad. With around 40,000 students in the city of Groningen itself! In terms of relevance, The University of Groningen is likened to the Russell Group universities but often considered far more liberal and relaxed on entry requirements.

The University has gone to great lengths to ensure all corners of the globe are represented. There are around 5000 international students from over 120 different nationalities at the university. You’ll get the international classroom as well as the international living at Groningen!

The university is organised within eleven faculties including: .economics and business; behavioural and social sciences; theology and religious studies; arts; law; medical sciences; spatial sciences; science and engineering; philosophy; University of Groningen/Campus Fryslân; and University College Groningen. Often Dutch institutions have a University College attached to the university which is often a stepping stone to the university. In Groningen’s case this is the place where Liberal Arts and Sciences are taught.

If you are interested in Groningen then I recommend that you check out their undergraduate degree programmes here, you won’t be disappointed!

You can of course visit one of their open days. Information can be found here:

Want to find out more about studying overseas and the value of an international education? Then visit one of our events!

Look out for more information on our events:

Study Abroad Fair in Birmingham - Sunday March 11th 2018

Study Abroad Roadshow - Monday 12th March - Thursday 15th March 2018

Study Abroad Fair in Leeds - Saturday March 17th 2018

International Education Week in the UK is a platform that aims to connect UK Students with universities outside the UK. It is the first official week dedicated to studying overseas.