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Rijksuniversiteit Groningen institutional logo

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Groningen, Netherlands • Founded 1614 • QS 2027 #157

Updated May 2026 · Source: rug.nl

Overview

English Name: University of Groningen
Local Name: University of Groningen
Acronyms: RUG
Founded: 1614
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #157 Times Higher Education 2026 #82 ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #84 CWTS Leiden 2025 #126 SCImago 2026 #99
Motto: Verbum domini lucerna pedibus nostris
Colours: Red
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen principal campus
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Founded in 1614, the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (University of Groningen) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Groningen (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).

This institution also has a branch campus in Leeuwarden. Officially recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) is a very large-sized coeducational Dutch higher education institution.

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 410-year-old Dutch higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

RUG also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Below are Rijksuniversiteit Groningen's address, location, and primary contact channels.

Address: Postbus 72
Postal Code: 9700 AB
Phone: +31 (50) 363 5420
Fax: +31 (50) 363 7100
Social Media:

Academic Details

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen's academic profile in numbers is listed below.

Academic Year: September to July (September-December; December-March; March-July)
Recognition: Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland
Accrediting Agency: Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO)
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate in subjects appropriate to faculty requirements (diploma eindexamen Gymnasium A or B, Atheneum A or B) or foreign equivalent
Total Students: 32,700
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
European University Association (EUA) Coimbra Group

Academic Structures

The faculties, schools, and constituent units that make up Rijksuniversiteit Groningen are listed below.

Unit 10 items
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Economics and Business
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Medical Sciences
  • Faculty of Philosophy
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering
  • Faculty of Spatial Sciences
  • Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
  • University College Groningen

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.

Arts (Faculty) 15 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • American Studies
  • Arabic
  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Classical Languages
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Dutch
  • European Languages
  • Fine Arts
  • Hebrew
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Slavic Languages
Behavioural and Social Sciences (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Behavioural Sciences
  • Cognitive Sciences
  • Educational Sciences
  • Pedagogy
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
Economics and Business (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Eastern European Studies
  • Econometrics
  • Economics
  • International Business
  • Labour and Industrial Relations
  • Taxation
  • Transport Management
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Faculty) 13 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Astronomy and Space Science
  • Biology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical Engineering
  • Physics
Medical Sciences (Faculty) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dentistry
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
Philosophy (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ethics
  • Philosophy
Spatial Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Demography and Population
  • Geography (Human)
Theology and Religious Studies (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Religious Studies
  • Theology

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Rijksuniversiteit Groningen offers is searchable and grouped by level below.

153 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Netherlands

Bachelor's Degree 28 programmes

Showing 10 of 28.

Master's Degree 125 programmes

Showing 10 of 125.

Scholarships in Netherlands

Funding routes available to students in the Netherlands are listed below.

How to apply to Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

A five-step path through the application process at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen runs 153 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Before applying to Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Netherlands.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Rijksuniversiteit Groningen's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.rug.nl). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +31 (50) 363 5420. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Frequently asked questions about Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

How old is Rijksuniversiteit Groningen?

The institution opened in 1614 (approximately 412 years ago).

Where is Rijksuniversiteit Groningen located?

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is located in Groningen, Netherlands.

Is Rijksuniversiteit Groningen public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

What is the student enrolment at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen?

Student enrolment at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is around 32,700.

How is Rijksuniversiteit Groningen ranked?

It ranks QS 2027 #157.

What programmes are available at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen?

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How is Rijksuniversiteit Groningen organised academically?

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen has 10 academic units.

Who recognises Rijksuniversiteit Groningen?

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is accredited by Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

Where can I learn more about Rijksuniversiteit Groningen?

The institution's website is www.rug.nl.

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