Study in Europe › Netherlands › University of Groningen

BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences

University of Groningen (University College Groningen) · Groningen, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOSelectiveMotivation videoEarly bird 15 JanHigher fee
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)1 May 2027
EU fee 2026/27€5,494 / yr

About the course

A broad, interdisciplinary programme taught in English where you build your own degree from courses across the sciences, social sciences and humanities, with small-group teaching at University College Groningen. You graduate with a BA or a BSc depending on the courses you choose.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Irish Leaving Certificate with at least 6 subjects from the Established Programme: 2 at Higher Level with at least H5, and the other 4 at O6/H7 or better, plus a CAO score of at least 350. All applications are assessed individually.
  • No specific maths or science subjects are required for this programme. English must be at IELTS 6.5 level or equivalent, but applicants who completed secondary school in Ireland are exempt from the English test.

How to apply

  1. Register on StudielinkRegistration for September 2027 opens 1 October 2026. Choose Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Groningen with a September 2027 start.
  2. Complete the online applicationIn the university’s Progress portal pay the €100 application fee and upload your documents. Early-bird deadline 15 January 2027, final deadline 1 May 2027.
  3. Send a motivation videoUpload a 3-5 minute video of yourself answering the four set prompts before the deadline. If you meet the entry requirements, the video decides whether you are admitted.
  4. Get your decision and acceptYou should hear within 4-6 weeks of a complete application. Accept the offer and send your final Leaving Cert results to meet any conditions.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 for September 2027 entry (early-bird deadline 15 January 2027).

Costs

  • EU/EEA fee: €5,343 (2026/27). This is higher than the standard Dutch fee because University College Groningen is a small-scale, intensive programme with its own fee. The 2027/28 fee has not been published yet. There is also a non-refundable €100 application fee for applicants with a non-Dutch diploma.
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Selective course: the university checks your eligibility first, then uses your motivation video to decide on admission. It is not a numerus fixus programme, so it does not count towards the limit of 2 numerus fixus applications.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityGroningen
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesAims for about 135 Dutch/EU/EEA students (2026/27 target)
EntrySelective
Programme page ↗UCG application steps and deadlines ↗Irish Leaving Cert requirements ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official University of Groningen website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The fee (€5,343) and the student intake target are for 2026/27, so confirm the 2027/28 figures with the university. Always confirm details with the university before applying.