FAQ Pre-Master's Programmes

These are the new Pre-Master’s programmes offered by the Faculty since September 2022. These programmes have a reduced number of EC credits (30 or 45 EC, depending on your specific educational background). Check the overview of Pre-Master's programmes.

No, you cannot choose this yourself. When you apply for one of the Pre-Master’s programmes, we will check whether you are eligible for the 30 EC or the 45 EC programme and then send you an offer. Please read the section ‘How to apply’.

You can possibly get a reduced package based on your previous education. We will check this when we process your application. You should also pro-actively send a request for a reduced package to premsc.feb rug.nl. Clearly indicate the specific Pre-Master's courses (including course codes) you wish to be exempt from with the corresponding courses from your earlier education. Provide adequate information such as course descriptions, course manuals, and your Bachelor's or Master's thesis to support your request.

For students with an academic Bachelor's, we always start with the 45 EC programme and look individually whether elements of the programme are already covered in your earlier studies. For example, statistics is a course that most Bachelor's students have had adequate training in. As such, you may be offered a programme of less than 45 EC. This evaluation is done by the Admissions Board.

If you are interested in applying for one of the 30/45 EC Pre-Master’s programmes or the 60 EC Pre-MSc Accountancy and Controlling programmes, you may need to prove that you have a sufficient level of Mathematics before starting the Master’s programme.

For the Pre-MSc Economics and Pre-MSc Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies (EORAS) programmes, you need to have an advanced mathematics level. This will be assessed by the Admissions Board.

Please check this website to find out the Mathematics level required and how to process this requirement.

I will obtain an international diploma. Do I have to send an English language proficiency certificate?

• Yes, it is necessary to send proof of your English language proficiency if you have an international degree. The tests and the scores are presented on this page.

Can I get exempted from providing an English language proficiency certificate?

• If you have obtained a WO or a HBO degree, you are exempted from providing an English language proficiency certificate.

I am a student with an international diploma degree. Can I apply for a 30 EC programme?

• No, the 30 EC Pre-Master’s variants are only available for students with a Dutch HBO degree from specific study programmes. You might be eligible for the 45 EC variant. Please note that if you have obtained an international diploma, the application procedure is different. You cannot apply directly to the Pre-Master, but you have to first apply to the Master's programme of your choice.

If I am an international student with an HBO-diploma, can I apply for the Pre-MSc?

• Yes, you can apply to our Pre-Master’s programmes. More information on ‘Dutch diploma -> HBO diploma’.

Students with a Dutch diploma

If you applied for one of the standard Pre-Master’s programmes, the Student Information and Administration can only process and assess your application once you have finished your HBO degree or WO degree. For some students, this might mean that their applications will be processed during the summer months. Please note that the deadline to apply for all Pre-master's programmes (September start) is 1 July.

Students with an international diploma

If you have an international diploma, you cannot apply directly to the Pre-Master’s programmes. You have to apply for a regular Master's programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business. Once you have completed your application, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Office and the Admissions Board. Please note that the deadline to apply is 1 May. Assessment for the Master's application may take up to 6 weeks - or longer during the busy application months. If you are eligible for the Pre-Master's, the Admissions Office will inform you by email including the next steps you need to take.

Yes, you can. However, you can only participate in Pre-Master’s courses (which are officially Bachelor courses) with a Bachelor enrolment. So if you are not enrolled in a Bachelor's at the University of Groningen, you have to register for the Pre-Master’s through Studielink.