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Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)

University of Groningen, Broerstraat 5, 9712 Cp Groningen, THE Netherlands
4.02 / 5 based on 348 reviews.
Description:
The University of Groningen is the second oldest in the Netherlands. It was founded on 23 August 1614 on the initiative of the "Statenvergadering van Stad en Ommelanden van Groningen" (Groningen States General). The University began with six professors in four faculties: Theology, Law, Medicine and Philosophy. There are now ten faculties, housed in 150 buildings on various locations in and around Groningen.


Reviews
International Partners
Programmes
Accreditations
91% of students recommend
348 reviews
Housing
3.6/5
 All experiences (348)
Student life
4.5/5
 5 stars (114)
Academic
4.1/5
 4 stars (132)
Languages
4.4/5
 3 stars (96)
Expenses
3.4/5
 2 stars (6)
Overall
4.5/5
 1 star (0)
“If you want to live in a student house, apply for Moesstraat, Blekerslaan or Winschoterdiep through the Housing Office. You will love them. Get a bike as soon as you can but most important, purchase a VERY good lock as it's very easy to be stolen a bike... Then, enjoy Groningen a lot!” Read Review
courgetta, Italy

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen review by Alessia

Review by Alessia, Università Degli Studi Di Roma - Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Economics, Erasmus
HOUSING    
Personal assessment
Cost
KEY:
Couldn't have asked for more.
Pretty good.
Could've been better, but didn't lessen the overall experience.
Disappointing.
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Type of housing: International student house
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: International student house
Why? It's the best way to socialize with other international students, though it will be harder to meet the Dutch.
Personal comments:
Apply for a room through the Housing Office and DO NOT choose the student house "Kornoeljestraat". Apply as soon as possible and get ready for a shared bathroom and kitchen!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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STUDENT LIFE    
Personal social experience
Activities
KEY:
Amazing! Hardly had time to study.
Plenty to do when I had the time.
So-so.
Did not get involved.
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Describe host city: Student life dominates the city
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal comments:
Vera on saturday night. Pakhuis on friday night. Het Kasteel, Shadrak, Kokomo, &zo for the remaining and Warhol to end the night!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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ACADEMIC       3.0 / 5
My academic experiences
Quality of courses
KEY:
Fantastic.
Pretty good.
Could've been a bit better.
Disappointing.
Variety of courses
Availability/access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with other international students
Interaction with local students
Course recommendations:
For many courses the final grade is computed as an average of final exams and assignments, so it is recommendable to start studying soon. Exams are not impossible to pass, but not that easy either. Study!



My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
KEY:
Liked it.
It was alright.
A bit annoying.
Didn't like it.
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course.
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
Personal comments:
none

This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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Language difficulties
Social
KEY:
No problems.
I coped pretty well.
Sometimes it was difficult.
It was a constant struggle.
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
Personal comments:
Almost all the Dutch speak a perfect English. You don't need to learn Dutch unless you're planning to settle in the Netherlands!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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EXPENSES    
The accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
KEY:
Very easy.
Minimal effort.
Accessible but required effort.
Almost impossible.
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits:
Food is quite expensive compared to Italy (especially for imported goods such as vegetables). Dutch trains are efficient but very expensive (if you open a Dutch bank account get the train discount card!)
Food, Travel: was more expensive than at home.
Overall, Telephone, Housing: was the same price as at home.
Nightlife: was less expensive than at home.
Personal comments:
Jumbo supermarket is cheaper and better than Albert Heijn. Get a second hand bike from someone rather than from a shop. Purchase a Lebara SIM.
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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OVERALL    
Important to choosing this university...
Academic reasons
KEY:
Very Important.
Important.
Not really important.
Unimportant.
Culture
Costs
Activities
Campus life
Party / people
Weather / Location
I wish I had known...
Groningen has absolutely everything you need...so don't bring too much stuff from home!
In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!



During my experience abroad, I ...
Became familiar with another culture
KEY:
Happened all the time.
Happened quite a lot.
Happened a bit.
Didn't happen.
Traveled
Improved language skills
Met people from other countries
Became more independent
Partied a lot
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies/career
Personal recommendation:
Go there and you won't regret, but you will need to actually study.



FINAL COMMENTS

If you want to live in a student house, apply for Moesstraat, Blekerslaan or Winschoterdiep through the Housing Office. You will love them. Get a bike as soon as you can but most important, purchase a VERY good lock as it's very easy to be stolen a bike... Then, enjoy Groningen a lot!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
Was this review useful?   Yes · No


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