About the University of Groningen

The University of Groningen has a rich academic tradition dating back to 1614. This tradition yielded the first female student and the first female lecturer in the Netherlands (Aletta Jacobs, Medical Sciences, 1878), the first Dutch astronaut (Wubbo Ockels, Faculty of Natural Sciences, PhD student from 1973-1978) and the first president of the European Central Bank (Wim Duisenberg, Economics, PhD student from 1961-1965).

The University of Groningen is among the European top in the field of academic research. We are successful because we apply fundamental academic research in an innovative way when dealing with social and individual problems. Groningen-based researchers collaborate with colleagues from all over the world on a daily basis and University of Groningen lecturers actively involve their students in research.

Top-quality education

The University Groningen provides top-quality education to students from every continent and from every walk of life, to help them prepare for their (international) careers. As such, Groningen offers a varied range of interesting, highly regarded degree programmes, a great many of which are taught in English. In addition to this, the University provides space for the personal ambitions and qualities of those students who want to do more. Our Honours College, University College Groningen and our Top Master’s programmes, for instance, are designed for those students who really want to get the best out of themselves.

At the University Groningen, we invite all students and staff, whether Dutch or international, to look beyond the obvious, to be involved, purposeful and creative, and to engage in scientific and social debates on issues both local and global. This ‘only’ requires an open mind, the courage to make and repair mistakes, and the willingness to share and contribute. Try one of our winter schools, to get a taste of our approach!

Research

Research within the University Groningen concentrates on three main focus areas that are important for our future – Sustainable Energy, Healthy Ageing and Sustainable Society. With these themes the University is looking to bridge the gap between science and society. The research not only has immediate social relevance – researchers at the University also cooperate on a large scale with partners from business, public organizations and the government, within and outside the region.

One of the reasons why we are successful at this kind of research is that we apply fundamental academic research in an innovative way when dealing with social and technological problems. In addition, many research groups at the University of Groningen are multidisciplinary, the University participates in national and international research programmes, and many Groningen-based researchers collaborate with colleagues from all over the world on a daily basis.

Students are tomorrow’s leaders. Needless to say, they need to be involved at an early stage in predicting the scenario’s, preparing an adequate response and contributing to possible solutions.