Festive start for for 800 international students

On Thursday 2 February the University of Groningen organized a Welcoming Ceremony for approximately 800 new international students who will start their studies at the UG in February. In the Martinikerk they were officially welcomed with speeches, an information market and drinks with live music. Speakers at the Welcoming Ceremony included Ton Schroor, deputy mayor of Groningen, and prof. dr. Sibrand Poppema, president of the Board of the University.

Every year, the UG welcomes students from some 115 countries and the Welcoming Ceremony is an important and highly valued introduction for these international students. They have rated the UG’s welcoming as the best in the Netherlands several times.

Varied programme

The Welcoming Ceremony started at 1.15 p.m. After an official welcome in the Martinikerk with speeches there was an information market with information about student services and student associations. Students could also get information on practical matters such as study support, insurances, opening a bank account and healthcare.

Increasing number of international students

The number of international students and employees at the UG increases every year. This is a development that the University encourages in every way it can: by improving the facilities, offering degree programmes in English and by strengthening our international position. Currently nearly thirty Bachelor’s degrees and the majority of Master’s degrees are taught in English. The number of ‘regular’ international students at the University of Groningen (studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) has risen in recent years by ten percent per year, to nearly 5500 this year. In addition to this there are approximately 800 international students who are at the UG for a shorter stay, for instance as exchange students.

More information

• Website Welcoming Ceremony