How to apply

The application for exchange and guest students who wish to study for one or two semesters at the University of Groningen is handled by the International Office of the Faculty of Law.

Application deadlines:        

• For Autumn entry (early September) / academic year: 1 May
  (nomination deadline: 15 April)*
• For Spring entry (early February): 1 November
  (nomination deadline: 15 October)*

* For applicants from Erasmus+ ICM partners a different deadline applies. Please check the  UG website.

1. Contact your exchange coordinator

• To be eligible for an exchange with the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen, you must be a registered student at one of our partner universities.  
• Check if you meet the basic requirements for an exchange at the Law Faculty of the University of Groningen.
• Identify a suitable study programme. Please check our course information to see whether we offer courses that fit with your study programme at your home institution.
• If you want to study as an exchange student at the University of Groningen, you should first contact the exchange officer at your home university, and ask to be nominated.

2. Submit your application

• Once your home university has nominated you for an exchange period in Groningen (Law Faculty), we need you to fill in our online application form in Mobility Online, and include a number of extra documents. You will automatically receive instructions by email about this after the nomination your home university did has been accepted by us.

• Please read the instructions carefully and follow all steps in Mobility Online. If you are not able to finish your application at once, you have the option of uploading all the necessary documents later, before you confirm your application is completed. Just make sure to complete your application before the deadline - 1 May for Autumn and Academic year applications and 1 November for Spring.

• Your application must include:
  - Official list of grades (in English)
  - Valid copy of your Passport/Identity Card
  - Proof of English proficiency (if required)

Please note: incomplete / incorrect applications will not be processed.

3. Applying for Accommodation and insurance

Finding accommodation in Groningen is difficult, especially before starting the first semester. We strongly recommend you to register for international student housing with the Student Housing Office SSH. Accommodation through SSH is not guaranteed.

You will receive information about the exact housing procedure after nomination. More information on other accommodation possibilities, please go to Accommodation.

It is mandatory for exchange students to have a health insurance in The Netherlands. European students are not automatically insured, you must arrange your own insurance. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine from the Dutch government. For more information check Insurances.

4. Approval and visa

• You will be sent an email acknowledging receipt of your application.

• After we receive all the required documents, the International Office will start the university registration procedure. Once this is done, you will automatically receive an email with your UG student number and email account - which you should activate right away with the temporary password you will have received.

• Students who need a visa or a Dutch residence permit, will be contacted by the Immigration Service Desk (ISD) once they have been registered as a UG student. The University of Groningen, through the ISD will apply for visa on their behalf. For more information you can contact the ISD.

5. On arrival

• You will have to attend the compulsory introduction programme consisting of the University Introduction Programme for incoming international students plus the Faculty of Law introduction meeting and you will then get an information package. You will receive more information about the faculty introduction by email.
• You have to confirm and ask permission from the exchange coordinator (Mrs Berenice Domínguez) in Groningen to follow the courses of your choice.

• Other important things students should arrange after arrival are:
  - A bank account (if necessary)
  - Residence permit (if necessary)
  - Registration at City Hall
  
  For more details see practical information.