With the application deadline on 1 May coming closer and closer, now is the right time to make a final decision about which programme(s) you would like to apply to. Handing in your application can be exciting but might also make you a bit nervous. All you can do for now is wait for a decision to be made and wait for further instructions. I remember feeling like time was passing by so slowly and wanting to know what is going on. So for you to be well informed and know what will happen after handing in your application, here are the 4 things you can expect.

1. When can you expect an answer? 

This is probably the most frequently asked question we get during the application period. I can totally understand wanting to know as quickly as possible where you’ll be studying next year. While we can’t give you an exact date, we can at least give you an estimation. Generally, the assessment of your application by our Admissions Office takes up to 6 weeks. However, this depends on a number of factors. When did you apply? Do we receive an unusually high number of applications? Such things impact the time frame. This is why we encourage you to hand in your application as soon as possible, instead of waiting until the 1 May deadline. The period after the 1 May application deadline is a very busy one for our Admissions Office, so it might take them a bit longer to get back to you. 

So why does it take so long before you receive a decision? While you are waiting, all of the documents you have provided in your application will be sent to the faculty and their Admission Board. Everything will then be reviewed and assessed in order to see whether you are a suitable candidate for your programme of choice. Seeing as this is a complex process, we are not able to give you information about the status of your application until a decision has been made. Our Admissions Office will reach out to you as soon as possible, so please be patient (even if that might be difficult, we know it’s an exciting time!). 

2. Who can you contact if you have any questions or if something went wrong?

So now that you know when you can expect an answer from us, you might still have some remaining questions. For general questions, you can reach out to our Prospective Students Team. If you have any questions that are specifically about your programme, please contact the programme coordinator or the faculty directly. They will be able to provide you with the right information. You can find their contact information at the bottom of the programme page on our website. Did something go wrong with your application? Then contact our Admissions Office. However, please do not email them to ask about the status of your application. They will not be able to tell you. If you want to get in touch with some of our current students to hear about their programme or student life at the UG, you can chat with them via Unibuddy. On this platform, you can search directly for your programme and find students who can tell you more about courses and share their tips about coming to the UG. This helped me a lot when I was applying for my programme as you can talk to students who have been in your situation, which makes you feel more prepared. 

3. What does the status of your application mean? 

So finally, after a couple of weeks, the email you have been waiting for arrives. You will receive the information about the status of your application from the Admissions Office. They will send you an email with one of the following three decisions: 

You are (provisionally) admitted.  

This means that all the conditions and entry requirements have been met and you are able to start your study programme at the UG in September. 

Provisional means that you will still have to send in your certified documents such as your high school diploma or other diplomas that are necessary.

You are conditionally accepted. 

Just like the one above, you will be able to begin your studies but this time you will need to fulfill some conditions in order to be fully admitted. This can be finishing high school (officially receiving your diploma or your Bachelor’s programme (if you’re applying for a Master’s) or completing any other education required. Additionally, you might be asked to send in an English language certificate and obtain a required score on a particular test to provide proof of your language proficiency. You will be notified about what exactly you still need to hand in before the deadline in the summer. Just make sure to read your letter from the Admissions Office carefully so you know what you need to submit in order to join us.

You are not admitted. 

Unfortunately, if you’ve received this message, this means that you will not be able to start the programme you’ve chosen. The decision to either admit or not admit students to a particular programme is based on different factors. It might be that your language proficiency isn’t on the level required to successfully follow lectures or that you lack certain core courses in your previous education. If you do not meet the entry requirements, we unfortunately can’t accept you into the programme. However, the email will explain what you are still missing so you know what you will need to do if you want to try again next year. Please be aware that some of the entry requirements might change in the meantime so always check our website for the most recent information. 

4. I’ve been accepted, what’s next? 

First things first: it’s time to celebrate! Congratulations, your future at the University of Groningen awaits you. 

Before you start packing your suitcase, you will first need to accept your offer. You do so by signing the confirmation of participation form you have received and emailing a signed copy to the Admission Office. 

Next, you will need to pay your tuition fees and submit your certified copies of your diplomas, transcripts and English language test results.

Now it is time to start preparing for your arrival here. On our website and social media channels, you will find all the information you need about student life, housing and what to prepare for your arrival.

One thing I would definitely advise you to do is sign up for the introduction week, the KEI-week and the ESN-week. Those are usually towards the end of August until the beginning of September and are a great opportunity to meet new people, get to know the city and to settle into your new place. 

Hopefully, this blog has helped you to feel more prepared for what you can expect during the application process. 

If you have not applied yet, do so as soon as possible so you can be a part of the University of Groningen. We are looking forward to hopefully seeing you soon!