History, Affiliations and Rankings
Established in 1614, The University of Groningen has been consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. The University of Groningen also has a long and illustrious history, dating back to roughly 1614 in the seventeenth century, making it the second oldest university in the Netherlands after Leiden. The university is affiliated with the Coimbra Group and the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. According to the QS World Rankings 2023, the university is ranked #145 and #88 as per THE Rankings 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
The university has three libraries, one in the city centre, one in the Duisenberg building on the Zernike Campus, and one in the faculty of medicine, all of which include a large collection of books and online resources for students. A Starbucks is located on the premises of the city centre library. They have recently constructed a new campus in Leeuwarden, Friesland, known as "Campus Fryslân," which offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a variety of subjects. The University of Groningen provides a vibrant atmosphere for the students. They have access to a vast range of extra-curricular activities organised by different clubs, organisations and associations. There are wellness centres, clubs, sports courts, cafeterias, auditoriums and theatres, and fitness and eateries on the premises. With a total of 11 different faculties, the university offers 120-degree programs in the field of Science and Engineering, Economics and Business, Law, Theology and Religious Studies, Medical Sciences, Philosophy, Behavioural and Social Sciences, and Arts and Spatial Sciences. Students receive an opportunity to select from several options which comprise exchange programmes, electives, minor programmes, etc.
Accomplishments and Alumni
The University of Groningen is a research-oriented institution and has also collaborated with various universities and research institutions to incorporate research programs. It is considered as one of the best research institutes in Europe and in 2016, Professor Ben Feringa at the university was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In addition, Wubbo Ockels (Dutch Physicist), Pim Fortuyn (Dutch Politician), and Job Cohen (Former Mayor of Amsterdam). Since its foundation, the university has graduated over 200,000 students who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the real world.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
The university also features the largest international student organization in the country with a student population of 30,000 out of which there are 6,000 foreign students from more than 120 different countries. The university has strong academic partnerships with different universities and academies across the globe for study abroad and student exchange programs and has collaborated with European universities for Master’s degree programs.
