FAQ: Pre-master programmes

These are the new pre-master’s programmes offered at the faculty since September 2022. These programmes have a reduced number of EC (30 or 45 EC, depending on your specific educational background). Check the overview with pre-master's programmes.

No, you cannot choose. When you apply for one of these pre-master programmes, we will check whether you are eligible for the 30EC or 45 EC programme and send you an offer. Please read the section ‘ How to apply’.

Possibly you can get a reduced package based on your previous education. We will check this when we process your application. You should also pro-actively send a request for a reduced package to premsc.feb rug.nl. Clearly indicate what pre-MSc courses (including course code) you want to replace with what courses from your earlier education. Provide adequate information such as course descriptions, course manuals and your bachelor or master thesis.

For students with an academic bachelor, we always start with the 45 EC programme and look individually at whether elements of the programme are already covered in your earlier studies. For example, statistics is a course that quite some bachelor students have had adequate training in. So you may be offered a programme of less than 45 EC. This evaluation is done by the Admissions Board.

If you are interested in applying for one of the 30/45 EC pre-master, 60 EC Pre-master Accountancy and Controlling programmes you may need to prove that you have a sufficient level of Mathematics before you start the master programme.

For the Pre-master Economics and Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies (EORAS) programmes, you need to have an advanced mathematics level which will be assessed by the Admissions board.

Please check this website to find out what level of Mathematics is required.

I will obtain an international diploma, do I have to send an English certificate?

• Yes, since you have an international degree, it is necessary to send proof of your English language. The tests and the scores are presented on this page.

Can I get exempted for providing an English certificate?

• If you have obtained a WO and HBO degree, you are exempted from providing an English certificate. Applicants with an international degree have to send an English certificate.

I am a student with an international diploma degree, can I apply for a 30 EC programme?

• No, the 30 EC Pre-MSc variants are only available for students with a Dutch HBO degree from specific study programmes. You might be eligible for the 45 EC variant. Please note that if you have obtained an international diploma you cannot apply directly to the pre-master. You need to first apply to the master's programmes.

If I am an international student with an HBO-diploma, can I apply for the Pre-MSc?

• Yes, you can apply to our pre-master’s programmes. You need to search for information under ‘Dutch diploma -> HBO diploma’.

If you have obtained a bachelor diploma from a university in a non-EU/EEA country, you cannot apply for the pre-master directly, but you have to apply for a master's programme. A sufficient GMAT/GRE score will have to be uploaded in order for the Admissions office to start processing your application for a master's programme. Without a GMAT/GRE, they will not be able to assess your application.

Students with a Dutch diploma

If you apply for the standard pre-master programmes, the Student Information and Administration can only process and assess your application once you have finished your HBO degree or WO degree. For some students, this might mean that their applications will be processed during the summer months. Please note that the deadline to apply is 1 July for all pre-master programmes (start September) with the exemption of the pre-master Marketing (deadline 1 March).

Students with an international diploma

If you have an international diploma, you cannot apply directly to the pre-master programmes. You have to apply for a regular Master's programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business. Once you have completed your application, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Office and the Board. Please note that the deadline to apply is 1 May with the exemption of the MSc Marketing (deadline 1 March). This assessment for the Master's application may take up to 6 weeks - or longer during the busy application months. If you are eligible for the pre-master, the Admissions office will inform you by email and send you the next steps you need to take.

Yes you can. However, you can only participate in pre-master courses (which are officially BSc courses) with a BSc enrollment. So if you are not enrolled in a BSc at the University of Groningen, you have to register for the pre-master through Studielink.