Studying in Groningen: universities, costs, housing and student life

Universities in Groningen

Groningen hosts two major institutions. The University of Groningen (RUG), founded in 1614, is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and runs a large catalogue of English-taught bachelor's and master's programs across science, humanities, law, economics and medicine. Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Hanze UAS) sits alongside it, offering more applied, career-focused bachelor's and master's degrees in fields such as engineering, business and health care.

Dutch higher education follows the Bologna structure: a three-year research university bachelor's (180 ECTS) or a four-year applied sciences bachelor's, followed by a one or two-year master's. RUG's research orientation and Hanze's applied focus give Groningen a full range of study paths under one city.

How to apply

Applications to Dutch universities go through Studielink, the national platform that forwards your application to your chosen institution once you register. After registering in Studielink, RUG or Hanze contacts you directly about program-specific requirements, such as a motivation letter, transcripts or, for some programs, an interview or portfolio.

Non-EU applicants also need a residence permit and, in most cases, a provisional residence visa (MVV), which the university typically arranges together with the immigration service (IND) once you accept your offer. Start your application early, since visa processing adds extra weeks to the timeline compared with EU applicants.

Tuition fees

The Netherlands sets a national statutory tuition fee for EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students who have not already earned an equivalent degree from a Dutch public institution. That fee is 2,530 euros for the 2024-2025 academic year . Non-EU/EEA students pay institutional fees set by the university and program, ranging from roughly 9,000 to 20,000 euros a year for a bachelor's and 12,000 to 30,000 euros a year for a master's. Confirm the exact figure for your chosen program directly with RUG or Hanze, since rates vary widely by field.

Some Dutch institutions also charge a one-time application or handling fee for non-EEA applicants, on top of tuition, so check this during the application process rather than after you accept an offer.

The academic calendar

The Dutch academic year runs from September to July, split into two semesters that RUG and Hanze further divide into shorter teaching blocks, each ending with its own exam period rather than one long block of exams at the end of the year. This block system means you typically focus on fewer courses at once compared with a traditional semester structure, with a short break between blocks and a longer one around Christmas and New Year.

Both RUG and Hanze run orientation weeks in the days before teaching starts in late August or early September, and joining one is a practical way to meet other students and get oriented before lectures begin.

Housing in Groningen

Student housing is in short supply across the Netherlands, and Groningen is no exception, especially around the September intake when thousands of new students arrive at once. Both RUG and Hanze run a housing service that lists rooms for incoming students, and many students also search through Kamernet, a national platform for student and young professional rooms, or apply to SSH, a housing corporation that manages student accommodation in several Dutch cities including Groningen.

Start your housing search the moment you accept your study offer rather than waiting for your visa or enrollment to finish. If you arrive without secured housing, some universities offer short-term emergency accommodation for the first weeks, so check with the international office before you book independent short-stay options.

Choosing where to live

Paddepoel and the surrounding area near the Zernike Campus, RUG's science and engineering site, hold a large concentration of student housing and attract many international students because of the short cycle to lectures. The city center, built around the canals and the Martinitoren, puts you closer to the humanities and social science faculties, shops and nightlife, generally at a higher price than the outer neighborhoods.

Helpman and Selwerd offer a quieter, more residential setting still within easy cycling distance of the center, a reasonable option if you prefer distance from the busiest student areas. Check which campus your program uses, since RUG's science and social science faculties sit on opposite sides of the city, and your commute changes considerably depending on where you end up living.

Getting around Groningen

Groningen is known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe, with a compact center, flat terrain and dedicated cycle infrastructure that make the bicycle the default way to get to lectures, the supermarket or the city center. Most students buy a secondhand bike soon after arrival rather than relying on public transport for daily trips.

For longer trips or bad weather, Groningen's bus network and the national train system connect the city to the rest of the Netherlands. Dutch student finance body DUO offers a student travel product that covers part of your public transport costs, so check the current terms on the official DUO website once you are enrolled.

Living costs and admin to plan for

Besides tuition and rent, budget for health insurance, groceries, study materials and a bicycle. Non-EU students need Dutch health insurance that meets the country's requirements, while EU students typically use a European Health Insurance Card alongside optional supplementary cover.

Open a Dutch bank account soon after arrival, since it makes paying rent, buying a public transport card and receiving any part-time work pay far simpler. Bring your passport, residence permit and proof of enrollment to the appointment, since Dutch banks generally require these documents from international students.

Scholarships and funding

The Holland Scholarship, backed by the Dutch government and participating universities, targets non-EEA students starting a bachelor's or master's at a Dutch institution, RUG included. RUG and Hanze also run their own scholarship programs for selected international students, alongside program-specific tuition waivers in some faculties, so check each institution's own funding page for current criteria and deadlines.

EU exchange students on a partner program access Erasmus+ funding through their home university, which covers part of travel and living costs during a semester or year abroad. Apply for external scholarships as early as your program allows, since most Dutch scholarship deadlines fall months before the academic year begins.

Working while you study

EU/EEA students in Groningen work under the same rules as Dutch citizens, with no special permit required. Non-EU students need their employer to arrange a work permit (TWV), and Dutch immigration rules limit term-time hours while allowing full-time work during the summer break, so confirm the current limit through your university's international office before accepting a job offer.

Both RUG and Hanze run career services that list student and graduate jobs, and Groningen's mix of research institutes, hospitals and a growing tech sector gives students in relevant fields access to part-time and internship roles alongside typical retail and hospitality work.

Student life in Groningen

Groningen's historic center, built around the Martinitoren tower, mixes canals, cafes and independent shops with a large student population that shapes the city's rhythm, from bar terraces in summer to packed lecture halls in winter. Both RUG and Hanze run active student associations, sports clubs and introduction weeks that help new arrivals build a social circle quickly.

The city's small scale means most daily life, from lectures to groceries to nightlife, sits within a short bike ride, which keeps everyday costs and time spent commuting low compared with larger Dutch cities such as Amsterdam or Utrecht.