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Last modified: 2026-10-01

# University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen): Admission and Fees

The University of Groningen (UG; Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, RUG in Dutch) is a public research university in the north of the Netherlands, founded in 1614. It is one of the more affordable large Dutch universities for non-EEA students: in 2027/28 a bachelor's costs $16,350 (€14,400) a year at most faculties and $22,480 (€19,800) in science and engineering, and master's fees start at $23,280 (€20,500). Russia is not on Groningen's list of VWO-equivalent diplomas, so the university points Russian school-leavers to a completed year of higher education or international certificates. Students find their own housing, with a limited stock of SSH rooms for the first year.

The Academy Building, the main building of the University of Groningen. Photo: C messier / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Academiegebouw_Groningen_1202_-_1205.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details for 2027/28 entry |
| --- | --- |
| Status | Public research university; UG awards its own degrees |
| Locations | Groningen; Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden |
| Ranking | THE World University Rankings 2027: 87th |
| Russian school certificate | Not on the VWO-equivalence list; route via a year of university or A-levels/IB/AP |
| Kazakhstan | Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Grade 12 certificate accepted |
| Non-EEA bachelor's | $16,350 (€14,400); science and engineering $22,480 (€19,800); Medicine and Dentistry $36,340 (€32,000) |
| Non-EEA master's | $23,280 (€20,500) Religion, Culture and Society; $25,890 (€22,800) economics, social sciences; $28,270 (€24,900) science and engineering; $36,340 (€32,000) Medicine |
| English for economics bachelor's | IELTS Academic 6.0 (speaking and writing 6) |
| Deadlines | Numerus fixus 15 January; most Economics and Business bachelor's 1 May |

## Who Groningen suits {#section-1}

UG is a comprehensive university with 11 faculties, from law and economics to medicine, science and engineering, theology and spatial sciences. One in four Groningen residents is a student, and the city is compact and cheaper than Amsterdam or Utrecht. Some popular programmes are capped, which the programme page states.

Do not confuse it with Hanze University of Applied Sciences, a practice-oriented HBO institution in the same city with its own rules. The difference between research universities and universities of applied sciences is covered in [universities in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-the-netherlands).

## Bachelor's entry with a Russian certificate {#section-2}

Groningen's minimum is a diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO. Its equivalence page lists around 60 countries; Kazakhstan is on it, Russia is not. For unlisted countries the university says the national school diploma probably does not meet its general level, but you may still be admissible with, on top of it:

- three British A-level certificates;
- or four IB Higher Level certificates;
- or four AP College Board exams;
- or a completed year of study at a university or college.

Subject gaps can be closed with accepted certificates, such as CCVX or Boswell-Bèta maths exams. Groningen does not count foundation years from other institutions, except its own AltiusGroningen programme.

Kazakhstan: the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Grade 12 certificate qualifies. Economics programmes check maths separately; Econometrics needs advanced-level maths in Grade 12, and the board asks for course descriptions.

The "year at university first" route is the most common one for Russian school-leavers; [bachelor's in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-the-netherlands) explains how to plan it.

## Bachelor's deadlines and selection {#section-3}

| Programme | Admission type | Deadline for September 2027 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International Business | Numerus fixus: 550 places | 15 January 2027 |
| Other capped programmes (status shown on each programme page) | Numerus fixus | 15 January 2027 |
| Economics and Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research | Open admission | 1 May 2027 |
| University College Groningen | College selection | Per UCG rules |

The Faculty of Economics and Business runs an early-bird window: apply between 1 October and 28 February and you get a decision within 15 working days (not for International Business). Non-EEA applicants must send English results by 1 June to leave time for the visa.

The process is standard: register in Studielink, the national application system, then upload documents in the university portal and pay the application fee charged to all applicants with a non-Dutch qualification. Documents not in English or Dutch need a sworn translation.

## English requirements {#section-4}

Thresholds depend on the programme. For bachelor's programmes in Economics and Business:

- IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, speaking and writing 6, listening and reading 5.5;
- TOEFL iBT 4 on the new scale (writing and speaking 4, listening and reading 3.5), or 80 for tests taken before 21 January 2026;
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, LanguageCert Academic and PTE Academic, with thresholds on the faculty page.

Scores older than two years are rejected, as are TOEFL MyBest and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted. You can apply without a score and receive a conditional offer.

## Master's programmes {#section-5}

Groningen offers more than 120 English-taught master's programmes. Each sets its own background, grade and language requirements, and economics and some other programmes may ask for GMAT or GRE. Where your background only partly fits, faculties offer pre-master programmes. National rules are in [master's in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-the-netherlands).

## Tuition fees {#section-6}

In UG's terms, students from Russia, Kazakhstan and other non-EEA countries pay "university tuition fee II"; the 2027/28 rate for EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals is $3,150 (€2,771).

| Faculty | Bachelor's 2027/28 | Master's 2027/28 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Economics and Business | $16,350 (€14,400) | $25,890 (€22,800) |
| Behavioural and Social Sciences | $16,350 (€14,400) | $25,890 (€22,800) |
| Religion, Culture and Society | $16,350 (€14,400) | $23,280 (€20,500) |
| Spatial Sciences | $16,350 (€14,400) | $25,890 (€22,800) |
| Science and Engineering | $22,480 (€19,800) | $28,270 (€24,900) |
| Medical Sciences: Medicine and Dentistry | $36,340 (€32,000) | $36,340 (€32,000) |
| Medical Sciences: Human Movement Sciences | $22,480 (€19,800) | $28,270 (€24,900) |
| Campus Fryslân | $16,350 (€14,400) for Data Science and Society | $25,890 (€22,800) |
| University College Groningen | $20,100 (€17,700) | — |

For comparison, most 2026/27 bachelor's programmes cost $15,900 (€14,000) and an economics master's $25,210 (€22,200). If you enrol after 30 September, you pay one-twelfth of the annual fee for each remaining month.

Living costs: according to the university, rooms in Groningen range from just under $454 (€400) to more than $1,140 (€1,000) a month, so with a cheaper room the IND visa minimum is close to a real budget, unlike in Amsterdam or Utrecht. Compare cities in [cost of studying in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-netherlands).

## Scholarships {#section-7}

- NL Scholarship: UG is a 2026/27 participant; the award is $5,680 (€5,000) for year one only, and UG chooses the eligible fields and closing dates.
- Eric Bleumink Fellowship: a full master's award (tuition, travel, living costs, books and insurance), but only for nationals of the countries on UG's list. Russia and Kazakhstan are not on it; Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are. You cannot apply directly: the university nominates candidates who hold a master's offer before February, so your programme application should be complete before 1 December.

UG decides on these awards. More options are in [scholarships abroad 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Housing {#section-8}

UG does not provide housing, except at University College Groningen and University College Fryslân, where first-years must live together. Everyone else can try SSH Student Housing, a non-profit provider that holds furnished rooms of up to one year for new international students. For 2026 booking opened on 14 May at 10:00 and rooms were gone within days; once you book, the first months' rent is due within 24 hours. You can only book with an offer from UG, whether conditional or unconditional.

UG advises starting the search in April and finding a room before 1 August, and warns that students without housing often have to give up their studies. At Home in Groningen is the official platform for tips and scam warnings.

## Visa, residence permit and paying from Russia {#section-9}

Once you are admitted, Groningen sends your permit request to the IND, the Dutch immigration service, as your recognised sponsor. You pay a $290 (€254) fee and must prove access to the IND's study norm for twelve months, €13,569 ($15,410) in 2026, plus any tuition not yet paid. Groningen's language deadline matters here: non-EEA students must send their English test result by 1 June, or the university cannot finish the visa procedure in time, even with a conditional offer. Our [Dutch student residence permit](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-dutch-student-residence-permit) guide explains the MVV appointment in Moscow.

Russian nationals can apply to UG like anyone else. The limits concern two things: the certificate, which is not on the VWO list, so you need a year of university or international certificates; and the Eric Bleumink Fellowship, whose country list excludes Russia and Kazakhstan. The knowledge-security screening debated in the Netherlands does not cover students and is not yet law. For transfer options, see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

Admission is up to UG's admissions board; the permit is up to the IND.

## Groningen compared with other universities {#section-10}

| Criterion | Groningen | [Utrecht](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-utrecht) | [Leiden](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-leiden) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Russian certificate | Not listed; year of university or A-level/IB/AP | Not listed; individual assessment | All 5s plus EGE, or EGE 70+ in 4 subjects |
| Non-EEA bachelor's, 2027/28 | $16,350 (€14,400) | From $17,150 (€15,100) | From $16,690 (€14,700) |
| Non-EEA master's, 2027/28 | From $23,280 (€20,500) | From $24,980 (€22,000) | From $26,000 (€22,900) |
| First-year housing | SSH rooms for new internationals | SSH waiting list of 24–30 months | Rooms prioritised for short stays |

How Studielink applications work in general is explained in [applying to Dutch universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-dutch-universities); the city and country are covered on [study in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-netherlands).

## Timeline for September 2027 {#section-11}

1. Autumn 2026: decide how you will meet the level requirement (a year at university, A-levels, IB or AP) and sit IELTS or TOEFL at a centre.
2. From 1 October: apply in Studielink; for economics, applying before 28 February brings a decision within 15 working days.
3. By 1 December: complete a master's application if you hold a nationality on the Eric Bleumink list.
4. By 15 January 2027: capped programmes; by 1 May: other Economics and Business programmes.
5. Spring: book SSH the moment it opens; send English results by 1 June.
6. Summer: pay tuition, collect the MVV, register at the town hall on arrival.

## Common mistakes {#section-12}

- Applying with the Russian certificate alone and expecting direct entry. Russia is not listed, so you need a year of university or certificates.
- Confusing UG with Hanze University of Applied Sciences.
- Counting on Eric Bleumink with a Russian or Kazakh passport.
- Sending English results late. Non-EEA applicants must submit them by 1 June.
- Missing the SSH opening. Rooms are gone within days.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Can I enter the University of Groningen straight after Russian school?

Direct entry with the Russian certificate alone is unlikely, because Russia is not on the VWO-equivalence list. UG suggests applying with a completed year of university or international certificates: three A-levels, four IB Higher Level subjects or four AP exams. From Kazakhstan, the NIS Grade 12 certificate is accepted.

### How much does the University of Groningen cost?

In 2027/28, non-EEA bachelor's fees are $16,350 (€14,400) a year at most faculties, $22,480 (€19,800) in science and engineering, and $36,340 (€32,000) for Medicine. Master's fees range from $23,280 (€20,500) to $36,340 (€32,000).

### Does Groningen teach in English?

Yes. More than 120 master's programmes and many bachelor's programmes are taught in English, including International Business, Economics and Business Economics, and Econometrics and Operations Research. Dutch-taught programmes such as Bedrijfskunde require proof of Dutch.

### Can Russian citizens get the Eric Bleumink Fellowship?

No. Russia and Kazakhstan are not on the fellowship's country list; Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are. There is no direct application: UG nominates candidates who receive a master's offer before February.

### Does the University of Groningen provide housing?

No, except at UCG and University College Fryslân. New international students can book SSH rooms of up to one year, but they sell out within days of opening and require an offer from UG.

### How is the University of Groningen different from Hanze?

The University of Groningen is a research university (WO) awarding academic degrees and requiring a VWO-level diploma. Hanze University of Applied Sciences is an HBO institution with practice-oriented programmes, different requirements and its own fees.

### Can StudyU help with an application to Groningen?

As a paid service, StudyU helps you choose between the year-at-university and A-level/IB routes, shortlist programmes, prepare documents and handle the visa steps. The University of Groningen decides on admission and scholarships, and the IND on the residence permit.

## Sources {#section-14}

- [University of Groningen: bachelor's fees 2026/27 and 2027/28](https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/tuition-fee/bachelor?lang=en), [master's fees](https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/tuition-fee/master?lang=en), [UCG fees](https://www.rug.nl/ucg/application/finances?lang=en)
- [University of Groningen: VWO-equivalent qualifications](https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications?lang=en), [Kazakhstan requirements](https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/bachelor/bachelor-entry-requirements/bachelorlinkscountry/kazakhstan?lang=en)
- [Faculty of Economics and Business: English and maths](https://www.rug.nl/feb/bsc-english-requirements), [deadlines for international diplomas](https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/admission-application/apply-bsc/int-diploma/), [International Business](https://www.rug.nl/bachelors/international-business/admission-and-application)
- [University of Groningen: Eric Bleumink Fellowship](https://www.rug.nl/education/scholarships/eric-bleumink-fund?lang=en), [accommodation](https://www.rug.nl/education/bachelor/international-students/study-in-the-netherlands-groningen/accommodation?lang=en), [housing FAQ](https://www.rug.nl/education/bachelor/international-students/study-in-the-netherlands-groningen/faq-housing-in-groningen?lang=en)
- [Study in NL: NL Scholarship](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship); [IND: study amounts 2026](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements), [fees](https://ind.nl/en/fees-costs-of-an-application); [NetherlandsWorldwide: MVV in Russia](https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/mvv-long-stay/apply-russian-federation); [minister's letter on screening, 11 June 2026](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-31288-1260.html); [THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Groningen](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-groningen)

Facts checked on 1 October 2026. Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355), rounded to $10.

If you are looking for a Dutch research university with moderate fees and Groningen is on your list, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Utrecht University (Universiteit Utrecht): Admission and Fees](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-utrecht)
- [Leiden University (Universiteit Leiden): Admission and Fees](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-leiden)
- [Studying in the Netherlands for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-netherlands)
- [Universities in the Netherlands for International Students: Types, the 14 Research Universities and Real Entry Routes](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-the-netherlands)
- [Bachelor's in the Netherlands for International Students: 3 or 4 Years, Entry Routes and the Cost of a Degree](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-the-netherlands)
- [Master's in the Netherlands: Admission, Costs and Deadlines for 2027/28](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-the-netherlands)

Updated: October 2026