Information
Landmark: University of GroningenCity: Groningen
Country: Netherlands
Continent: Europe
University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Europe
Overview
The University of Groningen-known in Dutch as Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, or RUG-ranks among the Netherlands’ oldest and most respected schools, celebrated for its cutting-edge research, high academic standards, and a lively student scene that spills into the city’s bustling cafés.Here’s a closer look at the university-its halls echo with footsteps, its quad hums with afternoon chatter: 1.Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen is the Netherlands’ second-oldest university after Leiden, beginning with studies in theology, law, medicine, and philosophy that shaped the northern region’s intellectual life; today, its 11 faculties span fields from arts and engineering to economics and spatial sciences, offering more than 180 English-taught programs to a global community of over 36,000 students, about a quarter from abroad; consistently ranked among the world’s top 100, it’s known for research in sustainable energy, healthy aging, and AI, with achievements like Nobel laureate Frits Zernike’s 1953 invention of the phase-contrast microscope; its city-center buildings mingle with Groningen’s cafés and canals, while the modern Zernike campus houses STEM and business faculties alongside libraries, labs, and institutes such as the Energy Academy Europe; partnerships with top universities, a vibrant bike-friendly city life, and over 100 student associations create a dynamic environment that blends centuries-old tradition with innovation and international collaboration.Want to hear more about certain programs, see what the campus offers, or get a feel for daily life in Groningen?
