Welcome to your Programme

Dear prospective student,

We would like to welcome you to the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) of the University of Groningen (UG) and inform you about the most important issues regarding the start of your BSc degree programme in 2024/2025.

Introduction schedule

To help you make a great start here at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen and specifically in your programme, we have organized a number of activities around the start of your programme. We strongly encourage you to attend these. You can find more information under Kick-off activities. The schedule for the rest of the year is available on rooster.rug.nl. The programme-specific introduction and other informative sessions throughout the year can be found under the course 'pilst' (programme information LST). To view your complete schedule, select 'programmes' and search for 'BSc Life Science and Technology: 1st year'.

Introduction weekend

Another great way to get to know your fellow students as soon as possible, is the Introduction weekend, organized by the study association of your degree programme. Details and instructions to sign up are provided under Kick-off activities.

Applied for multiple studies?

If you know that you will not be starting in the Life Science & Technology programme in September, please de-register via Studielink.

If you are still doubting whether to start Life Science & Technology or a different degree programme, please keep in mind that Life Science & Technology contains a lot of physics and chemistry and is a challenging programme. It is not necessarily a suitable back-up option if you’d rather study Biology or Medicine.

However, if you are interested in chemistry, physics and the life sciences, it is a great multidisciplinary programme.

You can also contact the academic advisor for LST if you have doubts or questions.

Study books and lab coat

Information on where and how to buy these materials is on the page Books and other materials. Make sure to order your books and lab coat on time, as you have a lab practical where a lab coat is mandatory in period 1A.

Accommodation

Finding somewhere to live can be daunting, especially if you are moving to the Netherlands for the first time. Around 20,000 students will all be looking for a room at the same time in Groningen so start your search as soon as possible. It is your own responsibility to find somewhere to live. The University of Groningen does NOT provide accommodation for students. We advise that you start looking for accommodation as early as possible since it will be very difficult to secure somewhere to stay if you wait too long. Tips on looking for accommodation can be found on the University website.

Student portal

The Student Portal serves as the primary source of information for students. When you log in, you will automatically arrive on the ‘Today’ tab. Please also visit the ‘Study Info’ tab: it provides detailed information about your degree programme and the tracks/ specializations therein, course units in the programme, etc. Please use your computer account to log on to the Student Portal, and read the relevant information about your degree programme, before the start in September. We expect all students in the programme to know the contents of this information. Extensive information about the programme will also be provided during the introduction days.

Please check the Introduction and Preparation section of the Student Portal of Life Science & Technology for more information.

During the year, you will be informed about the programme in several ways, like via information sessions from the academic advisor and an LST newsletter. You can read the one from September from last year, although the information is aimed at current LST students rather than aspiring ones.

Brush up on biology

While Biology as a subject is not a requirement for Life Science & Technology, it is a big aspect of the degree programme. One of the courses you start with in September is Mammalian Cell Biology. If you haven’t done Biology as a subject before and want to brush up, you can do this via a series of online videos. Units 2, 3 and 4 are especially relevant. If you’re not entirely sure what ATP is and why it’s so important, what the basic architecture of a cell is, or how DNA gets transcribed to RNA, these videos may help you.

Best regards,

Prof. dr. Dirk-Jan Scheffers –programme director

Glenda Vasse MA MSc – degree programme coordinator

dr. Ilja van den Broek – academic advisor

Mrs. Monique Meis – management assistant