Rijksuniversiteit Groningen | NL Groning01
2 spots Geography (no non-Geosciences students)
Information about the university
Partner institute: Faculty of Spatial Sciences
ISCED code: 0532 - Earth Sciences
Language of instruction: English (many Master courses) and Dutch Language centre.
Language requirement: B2/C1 Dutch / B2/C1 English
Areas of specialisation:
- Human Geography (Economic Geography and Cultural Geography); Urban and Regional Planning; Environmental and Infrastructure Planning; Demography
- A course offered by the International School of Spatial Policy Studies is available for enrollment
Links
Information for exchange students
Information guide for visiting exchange studentsDeadlines and dates
first semester: early September - late January
second semester: early February - late June (exams until mid-July)
Every semester is split into two periods, exact dates vary between faculties!
first semester and full academic year: 1. May
second semester: 1. November
Advice from former students
Studies
- The program is considered challenging
- A very practice-oriented program with many field trips
- Courses may be taken—in consultation with the International Coordinator of the Faculty of Spatial Sciences (iofss@rug.nl)—at other faculties, such as the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Marine Biology, Ecology, and Evolution)
Life
- If you’re interested in sports, buy the ACLO Card. The university has its own sports center on campus offering almost every sport. – Cost: approx. 20 euros
- Sign up for at least one orientation week, e.g., with EGEA – Cost for the entire week: approx. 25 euros
- Welcome Week at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences: a joint venture of the International School of Spatial Policy Studies and the Dutch students of EGEA Groningen (European Geography Association Groningen)
Housing
- Apply early for an apartment in an international student residence—that's where you'll meet the most people—costs range from 250 to 320 euros per month
Mobility
- Buy a Dutch “rail card,” known as the “Voordeel-urenkaart”: one year of train travel in the Netherlands with a 40% discount starting at 9 a.m., and you can bring three passengers along at this discounted rate—cost: 49 euros
- Buy a bicycle or, if possible, bring one with you, but be careful—the theft rate is high. Buy used bicycles at many local shops or from students who are leaving—cost: starting at 50 euros and up
Other
- Take a Dutch language course in Münster beforehand, for example at the Language Center
- Speak Dutch as much as possible and take courses taught in Dutch right from the start—maybe not all of them, but a few. It’s incredibly helpful—and it costs nothing!
- Don’t keep going home just because you live relatively close by. The “Erasmus feeling” quickly faded for some Germans I met because they went home every weekend
Further information
Acceptance: Geography and Landscape ecology students
Finances: more expensive than Germany (housing and general cost of living)
Accomodation: international student housing. Apply early—the housing market is very competitive! Apartments on the private market are hard to find.
Support from the host university: exceptionally good support from faculty and coordinators
Fact-Sheet
[As of 02.10.2026]
