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About us Faculty of Spatial Sciences Education International students Exchange Students

Application

for exchange to the Faculty of Spatial Sciences

Who can apply?

Two types of exchange students can be recognized:

  • Exchange students currently studying at a foreign university with which the Faculty of Spatial Sciences (or the University of Groningen) has established a student exchange agreement, our partner universities. The requirements and application instructions below are applicable for this type of exchange students.
  • Exchange students currently studying at foreign universities that have not (yet) established a student exchange agreement with the Faculty of Spatial Sciences (or the University of Groningen). Please read the conditions that apply to exchange students from non-partner universities.

Application requirements

Nomination

We need to receive an official nomination from the study abroad coordinator of your home university.

Sufficient command of the English language

We accept the following certificates and test scores:

  • IELTS Academic: overall score of 6, speaking score of 6, writing score of 5.5

  • TOEFL iBT: overall score of 80, speaking and writing score of 20

  • Cambridge English Language Assessment; B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 169, speaking score of 169, writing score of 162

  • For students from Erasmus+ partners: CEFR English language test: overall score of B2/C1

Students from universities from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Germany and Austria do not need to submit proof of a sufficient command of the English language.

Students from partner universities in other countries need to provide a copy of one of the above mentioned language certificates or a statement in which a representative of their home university declares that the student has a (very) good command of English.  

Course selection

All exchange students registered at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences are required to take the course ‘Spatial Problems and Spatial Policies: The Dutch Experience’. Consult the information on how to select your courses in the courses section and timely submit your course selection.

Timely arrival in Groningen

First semester or full academic year

You should plan to arrive in Groningen not later than Wednesday, August 28, 2024:

  • You will be invited to participate in the University of Groningen’s ‘Welcoming Ceremony’ on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
  • You are required to participate in the ‘Spatial Sciences Acquaintance & Introduction’ session on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Second semester

You should plan to arrive in Groningen not later than Wednesday, January 29, 2025:

  • You will be invited to participate in the University of Groningen’s ‘Welcoming Ceremony’ on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
  • You are required to participate in the ‘Spatial Sciences Acquaintance & Introduction’ session on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Continued enrollment at your home university

During your exchange, you will stay enrolled as a degree-seeking student at your home university and you will be temporarily enrolled as a visiting exchange student at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences of the University of Groningen. Therefore, you do not need to pay tuition or university registration fees at the University of Groningen.

How to apply?

1. Apply for a study abroad period at the International Office of your home university. After you have been selected for an exchange to Groningen by your home university, the international coordinator/exchange officer of your university will inform us of your nomination. Accepted students will receive an email with further information about the next steps, housing and other practical matters.

2. Register in Mobility Online (a registration link will be sent to you by email shortly after you have been nominated), fill in your personal data and upload the following documents:

  • Transcript of records
  • Copy of your passport or European ID card
  • Language certificate (if applicable, or proof of language proficiency in the form of a statement, see ‘application requirements’ above)

Do not forget to confirm in Mobility Online that your application is complete (see in Mobility Online 'confirm completion of application')

Application deadlines:

  • May 1 for an exchange in the first semester or full academic year
  • October 1 for an exchange in the second semester

3. Submit your course interests before June 1 for an exchange in the first semester and full academic year or before December 1 for an exchange in the second semester.

Last modified:07 February 2024 10.24 a.m.