Welcome to Groningen!
The University of Groningen welcomed over 1400 new international students and PhD students at the end of August. They were officially received in the Martinikerk and the Academy Building with speeches, a lunch, an information market, workshops and a drinks party. The main speakers at this year’s welcoming ceremony were the Rector Magnificus Elmer Sterken, Mayor Peter Rehwinkel and Professor Gregory Ashworth, a ‘hands-on expert’ when it comes to getting to know the Netherlands. Every year, the University of Groningen welcomes students from some 125 countries.
The Welcoming Ceremony is an important and warmly appreciated introduction for them. The welcoming ceremony at the University of Groningen was voted the best reception event in the Netherlands by a major survey of foreign students held in early 2008.
Increasing internationalization
The number of international students and staff at the University of Groningen is increasing every year. This is a development that the University is encouraging in every way it can: by improving the facilities, extending the number of programmes taught in English and by strengthening our international position. The number of ‘regular’ foreign students, i.e. those studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, has increased in recent years at the University of Groningen by about ten percent a year, reaching over 2200 in 2010. Then there are a further 800+ students who come here for a shorter period, for example within the framework of an exchange programme. Finally, 57% of our PhD students come from abroad. Incidentally, some of our foreign guests will arrive in early 2012.| Last modified: | 17 March 2020 1.40 p.m. |