🎓University of Groningen

Groningen, Netherlands

QS World 2026 · #133

One of the Netherlands' oldest universities, in one of Europe's biggest student cities per capita.

About Groningen

Groningen, founded in 1614, is one of the Netherlands' oldest universities, and the city itself has one of the highest student-to-population ratios in Europe, giving it an unusually youthful, international atmosphere for its size. It's particularly strong in Psychology and International Relations.

Why students choose it

  • One of the Netherlands' oldest universities, founded 1614
  • One of Europe's highest student-to-population ratio cities
  • Strong Psychology and International Relations reputation

🎓 Free application support for Groningen

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€10,000–€13,000/yr

mid tier for Netherlands — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

Mix of English and Dutch — many Bachelor's programmes are English-taught, but Medicine, Dutch Law and some others remain Dutch-medium. Check the specific programme.

Campus

city campus, Groningen

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Groningen's financial aid office.

The Netherlands has a well-known joint government/university scholarship for non-EEA students, alongside a growing number of individual university excellence scholarships.

  • Holland Scholarship: Jointly funded by the Dutch government and participating universities, for non-EEA students — a one-off award (not full funding), available for eligible Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
  • University excellence scholarships: e.g. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Utrecht Excellence Scholarship — merit-based, varying in coverage from partial to full tuition, offered independently by individual universities.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

International Relations

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Psychology

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: A science or Mathematics recommended

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Astronomy

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Netherlands — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
1 May (general deadline)
Note
Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 90–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Groningen ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder to see whether Groningen is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Netherlands university that matches.

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Groningen FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Groningen as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Groningen?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Groningen expects around AAB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Groningen's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Groningen's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Groningen cost for international students?

International tuition at Groningen typically falls in the €10,000–€13,000/yr range (mid tier for Netherlands). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Groningen's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Groningen?

Groningen follows Netherlands's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due 1 may (general deadline). Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January. Always verify the exact date on Groningen's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Groningen?

Netherlands universities, including Groningen, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Groningen known for?

One of the Netherlands' oldest universities, in one of Europe's biggest student cities per capita. Groningen, founded in 1614, is one of the Netherlands' oldest universities, and the city itself has one of the highest student-to-population ratios in Europe, giving it an unusually youthful, international atmosphere for its size. It's particularly strong in Psychology and International Relations.

Can I apply to Groningen with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Groningen accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Groningen and every other Netherlands university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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