RUG Exchange Program Guide - University of Western Ontario ...

Practical Information for
Exchange Students
Faculty of Law - Groningen
2012-2013

Postal address
International Office
Faculty of Law
University of Groningen
P.O. Box 716
9700 AS Groningen
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 7942/5756
Fax: +31 (0)50 363 7408
E-mail: exchangelaw@rug.nl
Internet: www.rug.nl/law/exchange
The International Office is located at
Turftorenstraat 21, room T-68
9712 BM Groningen
Office hours for exchange students:
> Monday 13.30 – 15.00
> Tuesday 13.30 – 15.00
> Thursday 13.30 – 15.00
Staff - Exchange Office
Mrs. Astrid van Dort
Exchange Coordinator (incoming students)
Ms. Manon Siemerink
Exchange officer (outgoing students)
Mrs. Mary van Dijk
Secretary
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all
information, there may be unintended errors and changes
without notice.
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CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Studying at the Faculty of Law as an International Student
7
Exchange Programme 7
Study Abroad Courses 7
LLB Programme 8
LLM Programmes 8
Courses in English 9
Credits and Grading System 10
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) 10
Grading System 11
Examinations & Registration 12
Transcript of Records 14
Overview Academic Year 15
Practical Information 19
Procedure for Incoming Students 19
Application Form Law Courses and Learning Agreement 21
Registration at the Faculty of Law prior to Arrival 23
Accommodation 23
Introduction Programme 25
Faculty Registration after Arrival 26
Bank Account 26
Insurance via Rabobank 27
Entry visa, Residence Permit, Registration with City Hall 28
Health Insurance and Third-party Liability Insurance 29
Student Facilities 30
Library 30
Computer Facilities 31
Mentor System 32
Study Support 33
Language Training 34
Sports 34
Culture 35
Meals 35
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Other useful Information 36
Nuffic 36
Living and Accommodation Expenses 36
Arrival and Departure Date 37
Shops 37
Public Transport 38
From Schiphol Airport to Groningen 38
Dutch Climate 39
Buy a Bike 39
Medical Care 40
4

Introduction
This guide is especially meant for incoming exchange students of the
Faculty of Law. Besides practical information, it also contains
information about the application procedure, educational system and
student facilities.
The Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen is a modern,
internationally oriented institution that has existed for nearly four
centuries. Since it has the ambition to measure itself with the best law
faculties in Europe, advanced systems of quality control have been
implemented to continuously improve the Faculty’s research and
education. Also the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen has an
outstanding reputation as one of the best law faculties in the
Netherlands. Furthermore, although the Faculty has grown to become
one of the largest law faculties in the Netherlands, it has kept its friendly
and informal atmosphere and its concern for good relations amongst its
staff and students.
The Faculty offers a wide range of law subjects and a large variety of
specialized courses. Over 3,700 students study here under the
supervision of 40 full time professors, 18 professors holding a special
chair, 6 visiting professors and 140 teaching staff members. Each year
approximately 350 foreign students stay for a term or a full year of study.
More than 75 courses are taught and examined in English. The law
building is located in the very centre of the city and has its own library.
Part of the Faculty’s research programmes falls within the ambit of the
Groningen Graduate School of Law:
>Legislation and the evaluation of the quality of legislation
>Ensuring compliance with legal norms
>Functions and functioning of adjudicatory institutions
>Legal aspects of public and private organizations
>Individual rights, duties and powers
>Law and European unification
In addition, the Faculty has a long-standing reputation in several fields
of public international law and specialized subjects such as:
administrative relations between individuals and the state; peace and
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security co-operation; constitutional institutions and their relationship;
criminality in a changing society; socio-economic and company law; the
principles of roman law; byzantine law, and the interdisciplinary study
of law.
The International Office
The International Office is the Faculty's information and service centre
for international relations. The Faculty has established international
exchange agreements with more than 60 partner universities and
Faculties of Law in and outside of Europe and offers five LLM
Programmes in English and one LLB Programme, also fully taught in
English. The International Office provides general support and (study)
guidance to foreign law students, i.e. to LLM, LLB and exchange
students. In addition, the International Office gives advice to law
students from the University of Groningen on studying abroad and
provides them with general support in order to prepare for such a study
period.
The office’s international atmosphere and internationally oriented staff
offer an excellent basis for a rewarding and stimulating study period.
Studying at the Faculty of Law as an International
Student
Exchange Programme
It is possible for foreign students to take law courses at the Faculty of
Law of the University of Groningen if they are taking part in a bilateral
exchange agreement under the Socrates programme, or in any other
officially recognized bilateral student exchange agreement between the
Faculty of Law and their home university.
For students who want to start their studies in Groningen from
September, the application deadline is 1 June.
Students who want to start their study period in Groningen from
February will have to send in their application documents before 1
November.
For more information please contact the International Office or check
www.rug.nl/law/exchange.
6

Study Abroad Courses
Students from universities that do not have an exchange agreement with
the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen can also participate in
law courses. These courses form part of our Study Abroad programme,
and can only be taken after payment of the required fees.
For information on our Study Abroad programme students can send an
email to: studyabroadlaw@rug.nl
LLB Programme
Since 2008 the Law Faculty also offers a bachelor programme in
English. This bachelor programme (3 years) on International and
European Law is a unique law programme for internationally orientated
students from all over the world. The focus is on teaching International
and European Union law on the basis of a more conceptual
understanding of what law is and how it functions, rather than on a
detailed knowledge of national law. The programme has specific
admissions requirements.
The LLB programme consists of a number of compulsory courses, which
both give an introduction into several fields of law and compare different
legal systems in these fields of law. In the first semester of the third year
students will study abroad. They can use this semester for studying law
courses in their home country (only if the foreign university of their
choice is one of the partneruniversities of the Groningen Faculty of Law),
but can also opt for further specialization abroad.
For more information about the LLB programme please contact the
International Office of the Faculty of Law, llb@rug.nl
or visit the website www.rug.nl/law/llb
LLM Programmes
Our Faculty of Law offers five specialized (one-year) LLM programmes
for graduates in law who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge of
a specific field of law:
> Criminal Law and Criminology
> European Law
> International and Comparative Private Law
> International Economic and Business Law
> International Law and the Law of International Organizations
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Within the programme International Law and the Law of International
Organizations and European Law it is possible to choose for a
specialization in Human Rights. Within the programme European Law it
is possible to be admitted to a specialization in Energy and Climate Law.
The deadline for application is 1 June.
For more information about these programmes, please contact the
International Office of the Faculty of Law (LLM@rug.nl). You can also
check our website www.rug.nl/law/llm.
Courses in English
Groningen’s Faculty of Law has been conducting some of its regular
courses in English since September 1990. All courses are taught by
specialists and are open to advanced students. Not all law courses in
English are open to exchange students or to students of the Study
Abroad programme; some courses are only open to students of the LLM
programmes.
Credits and Grading System
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
ECTS, the European Credit Transfer System, was developed by the
European Commission of the European Union in order to provide
common procedures that guarantee academic recognition of courses
completed abroad. It provides a way of measuring and comparing
learning achievements, and of transferring these achievements from one
institution to the other.
ECTS also improves access to information on foreign curricula. The
ECTS system is based on the principle of mutual trust and confidence
between the participating higher education institutions.
European credits (EC’s) are values allocated to course units to describe
the students’ workload required to complete them. They reflect the
quantity of work each course requires in relation to the total quantity of
work required to complete a full year of academic study at the
institution, i.e. the sum of lectures, practical work, seminars, private
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work - either in the library or at home - as well as examinations and/or
other assessment activities.
One European Credit stands for 28 hours of work. In Groningen (and in
all other European universities using the ECTS), the workload of a full
year of study corresponds to 60 EC’s. One semester of full time study
corresponds to 30 EC’s. Normally, it is possible to obtain 30 EC’s in a
semester (teaching period A+B).
All classes and courses carry a number of European Credits. In the
course descriptions the credits for each course are listed. Credits are only
awarded when a student passes the exam.
Grading System
The Dutch grading scale runs from 1 to 10. The passing grades range
from 6 (pass) to 10 (outstanding).
10 = outstanding
9 = excellent
8 = very good
7 = satisfactory/good pass
6 = pass/sufficient
5-1 = fail
Please note:
> The grade 10 is hardly ever given.
> In general, Groningen Law Faculty does not award high grades very
easily.
> In the Netherlands, grades are given on an absolute basis. Results of
exams will hardly ever be adjusted to a curve. We do not use a
comparative system for grading. The scale of grading is from 1 to 10,
with 10 being the highest mark (hardly ever given) and 6 being the
passing grade.
> Sometimes no marks are given, but only the qualification pass or fail
Examinations & Registration
IMPORTANT: For detailed information on the exact dates and
registration periods for examinations, please read the instructions in the
‘Study and Information Guide Exchange Programme’.
9

The schedule with the exam dates will be made available to all students
around July.
The exam dates of all written exams are scheduled at the beginning of
the year. The exact time of the exam will be announced later on. Once
the dates of the written exams are set; these dates cannot be changed.
Students should take this into account when planning their journey
home. An early flight home is not accepted as a reason for granting a
special (written) exam arrangement.
The Faculty of Law does not have a registration system for courses, only
for written examinations.
Please note that registration for exams is compulsory.
All students should register for exams online through Progresswww
within the exam registration periods. The dates of the exam registration
periods can be found in the ‘Study and Information Guide Exchange
Programme’.
When students register outside the exam registration periods (=late
registration), a registration fee of app. €20 per exam registration is
compulsory; late registration is only possible up to 3 working days before
the actual examination.
More information on the exact registration procedures can be found in
the ‘Study and Information Guide Exchange Programme’.
Examinations
Oral and written examinations are mostly used to assess students’
comprehension of lectures and required reading. In the case of seminars,
performance is assessed and grades are given on the basis of papers,
presentations, quality of participation in group discussions and other
assignments.
Written Examinations
The duration of a written examination is mostly three hours. Written
examinations may consist of multiple choice questions, problem
questions, essay questions, or a combination. In general, this is
previously indicated by the teacher of the course. The results of written
examinations are published by the examination office, both in Progress
10

and on the notice board in the Weber Foyer of the Harmony Building,
and are usually available within 10 days.
Oral Examinations
Oral examinations are arranged for by the teachers, and normally take
half an hour to an hour. In principle, oral exams must take place in the
examination period following the semester or during mid-term exams
(so in the same period in which the written examinations take place).
Right after the oral exam, the student will receive the result (the grade
and the number of credits obtained). Students are requested to inform
the International Office of their results.
First Examination & Resit
Every module has two examinations per academic year: the first
examination and the resit. When students pass the first examination,
they have passed the course and it will not be necessary to take the resit.
If a student fails both examinations, then in principle there is no
possibility any more to pass this course in the same academic year. An
extra examination (i.e. a third chance) in the same year is not possible
(unless the exam is the very last exam of the student’s law studies)!
In general, the original examination and the resit are in the same
examination period. For mid-term exams, however, the resit takes place
in the examination period of the next teaching period or next semester.
Transcript of Records
At the end of the student’s study period in Groningen the International
Office will send a questionnaire to the student on which the student
must indicate the courses and exams that were taken. After the student
has returned this questionnaire to the International Office, all the
student’s results will be checked and when all results are available, the
official transcript of records can be made. This transcript will be sent
both to the home university and the student.
11

Overview Academic Year
Academic Calendar 2012-2013
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters. Each semester is divided
in two lecture periods (A and B). Some courses will run through period A
and B (1AB or 2AB courses), some will only be taught in A (1A or 2A
courses) and some only in period B (1B or 2B courses).
Between these two lecture periods there is one week scheduled for midterm
exams. The examination period at the end of the semesters will last
5 to 6 weeks. For each course there are two exam possibilities per
academic year; the exam and the resit. Courses that run only in the A-
period (1A or 2A courses) have the first exam in the mid-term exam
week, but have the resit in the final exam period at the end of the
semester. Courses that run through period A and B (1AB or 2AB courses)
and courses that are taught only in lecture periode B (1B or 2B courses)
normally have the exam and the resit in the final exam period at the end
of the semester. The resits will generally take place in the second half / at
the end of the exam period.
We advise exchange students to arrive well before the start of the
semester, so that they have the opportunity to arrange the necessary
formalities and get acquainted with the town and the university.
Students arriving late (so after the start of lectures) are not guaranteed
admission to classes.
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The Academic Calendar is as follows:
28 August 2012:
Festivities of the city of Groningen – all university buildings will be
closed
29 August and 30 August 2012:
University Introduction Programme (compulsory) for all incoming
international students
29 August 2012 - afternoon:
Law Faculty Introduction Meeting and informal drink
Semester 1A:
Lectures from 3 September 2012 - 19 October 2012
Midterm exam week from 22 October 2012 – 26 October 2012
Semester 1B:
Lectures from 29 October 2012 – 14 December 2012
Exam period from 17 December 2012 – 1 February 2013
Last exam day in December is 21 December 2012
Christmas holiday: 22 December 2012 - 2 January 2013
January exams start as of 3 January 2013
Semester 2A:
31 January 2013: Introduction Programme for incoming international
students
Lectures from 4 February 2013 - 22 March 2013
Midterm exam week from 25 March 2013 – 28 March 2013
Semester 2B:
Lectures from 2 April 2013 – 24 May 2013
Spring holiday from 29 April 2013 – 3 May 2013
Exam period from 27 May 2013 - 12 July 2013
28 August 2012: all university buildings are closed
University Introduction Programme : 29 August + 30
August 2012
Faculty Introduction Meeting: 29 August 2012
Introduction for 2 nd semester students: 31 January 2013
13

Overview academic year 2012-2013
Semester 1 (divided in period A and period B)
3 September 2012
Lectures 1A
19 October 2012
Mid-term 22 – 26 October 2012
exams
Lectures 1B
Exams
29 October 2012
14 December 2012
17 December 2012 December exams end on 21 December 2012
**Christmas holiday:
22 December 2012 – 2 January 2013
1 February 2013 January exams start on 3 January 2013
Semester 2 (divided in period A and period B)
4 February 2013
Lectures 2A
22 March 2013
Mid-term
exams
25 March – 28 March
2013
2 April 2013
Lectures 2B **Spring holiday 29 April - 3 May 2013
24 May 2013
27 May 2013
Exams
12 July 2013
No lectures will be given on:
29 March and 1 April 2013 (Good Friday and Easter Monday)
29 April until 3 May 2013 (Spring Holiday)
9 May & 10 May 2013 (Ascension Day)
20 May 2013 (Whit Monday)
14

Practical Information
Procedure for Incoming Students
1. As soon as the home university has informed the International Office
of the names and addresses of the selected students, these students
will receive further instruction on the application procedure, the
required documents, the housing procedure, etc. This information
will be sent by e-mail.
The first information for incoming guest students contains:
> Academic calendar
> Application Form Law Courses + Learning Agreement
> Information on the application procedure for housing
Application deadline first semester/academic year: 1 June
Application deadline second semester: 1 November
Later on, students will receive:
> Information on visa procedures
> Letter of acceptance (this letter will be sent by surface mail).
Important: Students should carry this letter with them in their
hand luggage.
2. Students should apply for housing through the website of the
Housing Office. More information is given under “Accommodation”.
3. Students should return the Application Form Law Courses with the
documents mentioned on that form to the International Office. More
information is given under “Application Form Law Courses &
Learning Agreement”.
4. After we receive all the required documents, the International Office
will start the university registration procedure.
Once this is done, students will automatically receive an email with
their Groningen student number and computer account - which they
should activate right away with the temporary password they receive.
5. Following step 4, the student now has to upload a passport-size
photograph which will be used for the Groningen student card.
15

16
Instructions for this photograph upload have meanwhile already
been sent to the students.
As soon as this is done, the production of the student card starts
automatically. This will take about two weeks, and when the student
card is ready it will be sent to the International Office in Groningen.
It will be given to the students upon arrival, provided they have
followed the procedure described above.
In July the following information will be sent to the incoming students
who will start their study period in Groningen in the first semester:
> Course list with exam dates
> Information about the University Introduction Programme for
incoming international students
> Information on the student introduction programme by ESN -
Erasmus Magazine
> Information on the ESN Mentor Programme
This information will be given by e-mail. Later on, this information
will also be made available on our website
www.rug.nl/law/exchange.
6. After arrival, students should report to the International Office on
the next working day. They will then get an information package,
with their student card, study guide and course schedule.
Also, students will have to attend the compulsory University
Introduction Programme for incoming international students on the
29 th and the 30 th of August 2012, plus the Faculty of Law
introduction meeting in the afternoon on the 29 th of August.
Furthermore, after their arrival students are obliged to confirm and
ask permission of the exchange coordinator at the International
Office to follow the courses of their choice.
The introduction package contains, a.o.:
> Study and Information Guide for exchange students
> Student card (if available)
> The class schedule of the first semester
> Information on the introduction meeting for law
students, organized by the Faculty of Law, 29 August
> Emergency form (to be handed in a.s.a.p.)
> Information on the law library
> Map of Groningen
> General information about Groningen

7. Other important things students should arrange after arrival are:
> A bank account (if necessary). It is possible for students to
receive information and assistance from the Dutch bank ‘the
Rabobank’ at the Information Market on the 29 th and the 30 th
of August 2012.
> Residence permit (if necessary).
> Registration with the City Hall.
Learning Agreement
Students have to return the learning agreement/course list to the
International Office before they start their studies in Groningen. If the
course list for the new academic year is not available yet, students should
use the list of the current academic year. As soon as the new list of law
courses (including the exam dates) is ready, students will receive this list
by e-mail.
Course Offer
To get an impression of the courses offered by the Faculty of Law of the
University of Groningen, students can check our website
www.rug.nl/law/exchange for the course descriptions of the current
academic year.
Approval from the Exchange Coordinator
After arrival students will have to discuss their choice of courses with the
Exchange Coordinator at the International Office. Depending on the
student’s proficiency in English and previous legal education, it may be
necessary to change the previously signed learning agreement. Students
should always inform the International Office and their home university
of any changes in their study programme.
Non-law courses
In certain situations it is possible for exchange students to follow nonlaw
courses with different faculties of the University of Groningen.
However, permission is necessary from the International Office of the
Faculty of Law, the student’s home university and the International
Office from the Faculty offering the course. Registration for such courses
is only possible through the International Office of the Faculty of Law.
17

Registration at the Faculty of Law
The documents required for registration at the Faculty of Law are:
> A clear copy of the (valid) passport or identity card
(Only make a copy of the page with your picture on it)
> Two passport-size photographs
> Proof of medical insurance (can also be given upon arrival)
Students should keep in mind that their student number, student card
and computer account will only be made available if they have
registered in time. Students who register after their arrival in Groningen
should realize that it will take at least another two weeks before their
student number, student card and e-mail account will be available.
Accommodation
The University of Groningen is not a campus university. In general
Dutch students find their own accommodation somewhere in town.
Because of the tight (student) housing market in Groningen, especially in
September, foreign students are strongly advised to book
accommodation with the help of the Housing Office as early as possible.
Through the Housing Office most exchange students will be housed in
one of the international student houses (single and double, fully
furnished rooms, shared kitchen, fully equipped, and bathroom
facilities). The rent per month ranges from approximately € 300,- for
shared accommodation to € 400,- for a single room.
It is important to know that the Housing Office charges an
administration fee of € 300,- (€275,- as of 1 July 2012) and a deposit of
€ 375,-. The deposit costs will be refunded by the end of their stay, if
students leave the room in good condition and if they have paid the rent
in full.
Paying the administration fee is no guarantee for accommodation in
Groningen. If there are no more rooms available in the international
student houses, the Housing Office will look for rooms through private
accommodation agencies. They have rooms available in different types of
student houses and the rent per month can therefore vary considerably.
Most agencies have a term of notice of one month and stipulate that the
room must be rented for a period of at least two months.
18

The website of the Housing Office provides more information on the
types of accommodation and prices for accommodation. It also contains
information about the Housing Office, the procedures, general
conditions, rental agreements, etc. As students can see on the website,
they can choose from different kinds of accommodation. Students should
realize that all these descriptions are no guarantee that the rooms will be
exactly as stated. They are merely giving students an indication of the
rooms available.
Students should also check the conditions of the rooms on the website of
the Housing Office, since the conditions for the private market and the
international student houses are different. Once a student has accepted a
room and its conditions, the student will have to stick to that.
If students have to cancel their stay in Groningen, or if they arrive later
than the date they have indicated on the form, students should inform
both the Housing Office and the International Office as soon as possible.
Housing Office
P.O. Box 546
9700 AM Groningen
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)50 365 7126
Fax: +31 (0)50 365 7139
Email: info@housingoffice.nl
website: www.housingoffice.nl
Introduction Programme
Before the start of the academic year there will be a compulsory
introduction for all incoming international students. The compulsory
part of the introduction will be on the 29th and the 30 th of August 2012.
More information will be sent in July.
The first part of the introduction programme is the official University of
Groningen Welcoming Ceremony, with an information market where all
faculties will be present or represented.
In addition, a Faculty introduction meeting is held on the 29 th of August
(in the afternoon), and for those who registered, the Introduction
Weekend for international students in Groningen, organized by ESN.
Please check the following website for more information on the
Introduction Weekend: www.esn-groningen.nl
19

Bank Account
The University of Groningen has a special arrangement with the Dutch
Rabobank (located at the Guldenstraat 12), which should enable all
international guests of the university to open a bank account with the
Rabobank. The Rabobank will also be present at the RUG welcoming
ceremony to provide more details on/start preparations to open a bank
account. Students are also free to open a bank account at any other bank.
In order to open a Rabobank account students should bring:
> Letter from the Rabobank
> A valid passport
> University of Groningen student card (or letter of acceptance)
> Officially verified address in the Netherlands (e.g. rental agreement
Housing Office)
> BSN number, (Citizen Service Number), See: ‘Welcome to the
University of Groningen Handbook’.
After following the procedure to open a bank account, the student will
receive an account number. After about 1 or 2 weeks the ATM-card will
be ready and the student can pick up the card at the Rabobank.
The Rabobank can offer the following package to international guest
students:
A student bank account (free), Rabobank Europas (free), Rabobank
Internet Banking (free), saving account (free).
The use of a Rabobank ATM card in the Netherlands and in the EU will
be free of charge.
For more information:
http://www.rabobank.nl/particulieren/lokalebanken/stadenmiddengro
ningen/studenten/international_student/
Especially read the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Document on the website.
20

The Rabobank can also provide a special student insurance package.
Entry Visa, Residence Permit, Registration with the City Hall
The Law Faculty will provide students with detailed information and
instructions on the entry visa and residence permit application
procedures, and whether they need to apply for an entry visa or a
residence permit.
See also:
http://www.rug.nl/prospectiveStudents/information/uponArrival/groni
ngen-guide-2012-13
Health Insurance and Third-party Liability Insurance
In the Netherlands it is compulsory to have medical insurance.
All international students in the Netherlands must have health
insurance. Visiting international students are responsible for their own
medical insurance and third-party liability insurance during their stay in
Groningen.
Adequate coverage for medical costs for the entire period of their stay in
Groningen is essential, and is a requirement for obtaining a residence
permit and for registration at the Faculty.
The University of Groningen will not accept responsibility for medical
costs or costs resulting from damage or accidents caused by the guest
student during his/her stay in the Netherlands.
Students should read the relevant section on ‘health insurance’ in the
‘Welcome to the University of Groningen Handbook’, to find out what
type of insurance they need.
http://www.rug.nl/prospectiveStudents/information/uponArrival/groni
ngen-guide-2012-13
If necessary, students can apply for third-party liability insurance,
household insurance and luggage insurance at AON, all at a reasonable
price. For more information about this insurance:
21

https://www.students-insurance.eu/
Student Facilities
Library
The University Library (UB) is situated in the centre of Groningen. All
students enrolled in the University of Groningen and all staff members
are entitled to use the library. The UB has several reading and study
rooms with a total capacity of 1600 seats. It is open every day, including
Saturday and Sunday.
The University Library is located at:
Broerstraat 4, 9712 CP Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 8034
For more information on all the facilities offered by the UB, please check
the ‘Welcome to the University of Groningen Handbook’ and the
website: www.rug.nl/library
The Faculty of Law has its own library on the second floor of the Faculty
building (Harmony building, also in the centre of Groningen), containing
the textbooks, literature and journals that are currently used in degree
courses. It is open from Monday to Friday, and has reading and study
rooms available for law students. For detailed information see the
library’s website.
The Law Library is located at:
Harmonie building,
Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26, 9712 EK, Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 5663
E-mail: bibliotheek-rechten@rug.nl
Internet: http://www.rug.nl/rechten/index (library)
In order to borrow a book or journal in one of the libraries students will
have to use their student card. Students will receive the student card
from the Law Faculty. To log into the library network students need a
username and a password. Students are obliged to return borrowed
books to the library before departure.
Computer Facilities
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All students will receive a university computer account.
With this computer account students will have:
Access to the Faculty computers and the programmes installed
thereupon and personal saving space on the university network
Access to the electronic learning environment Nestor; Access to their
electronic mailbox (@student.rug.nl)
The possibility to register for examinations and view the results of
their examinations through ProgressWWW
Accounts are active as long as students are registered at the University of
Groningen.
The University of Groningen offers its students the possibility of wireless
access to the internet inside the buildings of the university. For more
information: www.rug.nl/cit
The computer rooms for law students are located at:
> H 12.108 (16 computers), 1 st floor Harmony building
> H 12.207a (29 computers), 2 nd floor Harmony building
> T02 (30 computers), ground floor Turftorenstraat building
> Computer room Law Library
> Computer room University Library (also accessible for other
students)
At the joint helpdesk of the Faculties of Law and Arts, students can
report defects, ask questions about the computers, request for a new
password, etc. Location Helpdesk:
first floor of the Harmony building:
Oude Kijk in ‘t Jatstraat 26 (room H 12.101), 9712 EK, Groningen
E-mail: sdsharmonie@rug.nl
Important: Students should check their university e-mail account
regularly. All information from the university that is sent electronically
will be sent to this e-mail address! This e-mail account can be used from
any computer with access to the internet.
Mentor System
The university-wide association ESN Groningen has set up a student
mentor system for the integration of exchange students both at
university and at Faculty level. Dutch student mentors play a particularly
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important role in the first weeks of the foreign students’ stay in
Groningen, but in many cases also after that.
ESN Groningen organizes activities especially for international students
and their Dutch student mentors, often in co-operation with Facultybased
associations.
Exchange students will receive an e-mail with information
how they can register for a mentor.
ESN Groningen: Grote Rozenstraat 23, 9712 TG, Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 7176
E-mail: info@esn-groningen.nl
Internet: http://www.esn-groningen.nl/
Besides the university-wide association ESN-Groningen, students can
also join the Law Faculty’s LLB student association NEXUS (established
by international students), or the Law Faculty’s student association JFV
(Juridische Faculteits Vereniging). These associations organize activities,
guest lectures and excursions especially meant for law students: e.g.:
excursions to the Groningen court, a prison, a law firm, the Dutch
Parliament in The Hague. etc.
NEXUS (mainly international students):
Website: www.nexusgroningen.com
Email: nexus@rug.nl
JFV (mainly Dutch students):
Website: www.jfvgroningen.nl
E-mail: jfv@jfvgroningen.nl
Study Support
Studying in Groningen and living abroad is a special and useful
experience, but it can be hard for students to find their way into the
habits of Dutch society and the educational system.
The Student Service Centre (SSC) is the University’s centre for study
support. The student counsellors, psychologists and trainers, work
together to provide an integrated package of student support with the
aim of helping students with their studies. They can prevent or remove
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possible impediments to study progress so that students can develop
fully during their time at university.
The SSC has a wide range of support facilities - information and advice,
individual discussions, short-term therapy and a wide variety of
workshops and training courses.
The Student Service Centre is located at:
Uurwerkersgang 10 (next to the Harmony building)
9700 AB Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 8066
Internet: www.rug.nl/ssc
At Faculty level, the International Office can help students if they have
questions concerning the study programme. Student mentors can assist
students with practical matters.
In case of serious personal problems students can make an appointment
with one of the student psychologists.
Of course students are always welcome to contact the international
office, if they have problems (of any kind)!
The student psychologists are located at:
Uurwerkersgang 10, 9712 EJ, Groningen
T: 0031 (0)50 - 363 55 44
E-mail: ssc-secretariaat@rug.nl (please state your student number)
Internet: www.rug.nl/ssc
Language Training
Facilities for learning almost all of the European languages are available
at the Language Centre of the University of Groningen. The Language
Centre of the University of Groningen offers elementary and advanced
courses in several languages.
Of particular interest for international students are the Dutch courses,
which are taught at four levels. From 13 August until 31 August 2012, an
intensive language course in Dutch (level I, II and III) will be organized
for international students. The course is given at the University’s
Language Centre, and will also take place in January 2013. The fee per
course is approximately € 310,-.
For further information and application form, please check the website
of the Language Centre.
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The Language Centre is located on the first floor of the Harmony
building:
Oude Kijk in't Jatstraat 26 (room 1315/129)
9712 EK Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 5802
Fax: +31 (0)50 363 5886
E-mail: talencentrum@rug.nl
Internet: http://www.rug.nl/talencentrum/index?lang=en
Sports
The University of Groningen has extensive sports facilities in the
northern part of town, which can be used by individual students and
student sports clubs. In order to do so, students have to become a
member of the General Student Sports Foundation (ACLO). The ACLO is
managed by students.
International students who would like to participate in sports can get an
ACLO sport card registration on their student card. This costs
approximately € 60,-. ACLO also has a special arrangement for
international students. They offer the International Students Sport Card,
which is valid for one semester and costs app. €40,-. Students are able to
purchase this card at the information desk of the ACLO Sports Centre.
Students should bring their student card.
The ACLO sports centre is located at:
Blauwborgje 16
9747 AC Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 4641
Reservations: +31 (0) 50 363 80 63
info@aclosport.nl
Fax: +31 (0)50 363 4648
Internet: www.aclosport.nl
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Culture
The Cultural Student Centre (USVA) offers a wide range of nonacademic
courses especially for students and the fees are adapted to
student budgets. Students can choose, among others, from: dance,
drama, mime, photography, video or music courses. Many of these
courses are taught in English.
The USVA is located at:
Munnekeholm 10
9711 JA Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 4670
E-mail: USVA@rug.nl
Internet: www.usva.nl
Meals
Groningen has an enormous variety of restaurants: Chinese, Italian,
Israeli, Mexican, Greek, Indonesian, and Indian restaurants, to name but
a few. There is also the possibility to dine in many cafes, where meals are
served for a relatively low price (about € 15,-). The Faculty of Law has its
own cafeteria, where students can enjoy snacks and lunch. In the
Academy Building there is also a cafeteria, which serves a limited
amount of small warm meals/snacks.
Other Useful Information
Nuffic
The Nuffic website is a useful source of information for international
students. On the website students will be able to find some useful tips
about living in The Netherlands.
http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students
Living and Accommodation Expenses
Expenses incurred by the average student are approximately as follows:
> Housing € 300-500 per month
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Food € 200 per month
> Insurance € 33-55 per month
> Other costs € 85 per month
> Bicycle € 100
Study costs (books, readers) will depend on the courses students take.
Exchange students are not required to pay tuition fees.
According to Nuffic, experience has shown that students living and
studying in Holland for one year spend between €800,- and €1100,- a
month.
For more information:
http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/how-to-prepare/financingyour-stay
Arrival and Departure Date
We advise exchange students to arrive well before the start of the
semester, so that they have the opportunity to arrange the necessary
formalities and get acquainted with the town and the university.
Students are required to report to the International Office the next day
after arrival – they will then receive their introduction package.
When planning the journey to Groningen, students should keep in mind
that students arriving late are not guaranteed admission to classes.
The exam dates of all written exams are set and announced at the
beginning of the year.
Once the dates of the written exams are set, the dates of written exams
cannot be changed. Students should take this into account when
planning their journey home. An early flight home is not accepted as a
reason for granting a special (written) exam arrangement.
Shops
Shops in Groningen are usually open from 9.00 to 18.00 hrs.
Supermarkets close at 20.00 hrs., sometimes later. On Monday
mornings many shops are closed. Most shops close at 17.00 hrs. on
Saturdays. On Thursday night shops are open until 21.00 hrs. In general
shops are closed on Sunday, however there are some exceptions, see:
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http://toerisme.groningen.nl/en/zien-doen-beleven-2/shopping-
2/openingstijden-en-koopzondagen
Public Transport
The Netherlands has a very good network of public transport. For
students who intend to travel by train a lot, it may be worthwhile to buy
a “Voordeelurenkaart” card (Off-Peak Hours Pass). The price is
approximately € 60,- for an annual season card. This provides students
with a 40% discount on train tickets. It is valid during weekends and
from 9.00 onwards on weekdays.
The OV-chipkaart is the new means of payment for the public transport
system in the Netherlands. The OV-chipkaart can be loaded with credit
in euros at train and bus stations, post offices and supermarkets. The
OV-chipkaart can then be used to travel anywhere within the
Netherlands, by bus, train, trolley car etc.
It is also possible to load the OV-chipkaart with a travel product, such as
a single ticket or a season ticket. Students can choose between a
personal, an anonymous and a disposable card.
For more information on the OV-chipkaart see: www.ov-chipkaart.nl (in
Dutch and English)
To plan your journey: www.9292.nl (in Dutch & English)
From Schiphol Airport to Groningen
There is a regular train service from Schiphol railway station to
Groningen. The entrance to the railway station is signposted in the
arrival hall. It is important for students to purchase a train ticket to
Groningen before they board the train. A single second class ticket
Schiphol-Groningen costs approximately € 25,-. The train journey takes
about 2.5 to 3 hours.
There is a direct train to Groningen every hour, but students can also
take the train which goes in the direction of Hilversum and change trains
in Amersfoort. A direct train to Groningen leaves from platform 3 at 19
minutes past each hour. Students should make sure to board one of the
carriages marked with the destination Groningen, because the other part
of the train will travel to Leeuwarden.
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Approximately: On weekdays the first train departs at 6.19 a.m. and the
last train departs at 11.19 p.m. On Sundays, the first train departs at 7.14
a.m. and the last train departs at 10.19 p.m. For more information please
check the website of the railway company: www.ns.nl
Dutch Climate
The Dutch climate is characterized by cool summers and fairly mild
winters. In winter students will need a warm winter coat. There may be
cold spells in spring and autumn. Usually the temperature varies
between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius during those months. In the summer
months (June to September) students need summer cloths, but also a
raincoat.
Buy a Bike
In Groningen everybody rides a bike. Students can buy second-hand
bicycles at several locations in Groningen: bicycle shops, market, and
central train station. During the university introduction there will also be
possibilities to buy a bicycle. Twice a month there is also a public bicycle
sale hosted by the Environment Service of Groningen. During this sale
students will be able to buy a bike for €35-45.The public sale starts at
8.30 a.m. at the Oude Boteringestraat 18, Groningen and from 7.30 a.m.
on service numbers will be handed out. Students should make sure to
arrive on time, this sale is very popular and bikes are sold on a first come
first served base. Please always make sure to invest in a good lock!
The earliest upcoming sales will be on:
7 & 21 September 2012
5 & 19 October 2012
An overview of the dates of the upcoming sales can be found on the
following website:
http://gemeente.groningen.nl/fietsen/fietsenverkoop-van-demilieudienst-aan-de-oude-boteringestraat
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Medical Care
General remark: for detailed information on medical care please read the
booklet ‘Health Guide’, which is in the information package.
If students have a medical problem which is not of immediate danger
they should first consult a “huisarts” (general practitioner [GP] or family
doctor). GP’s can be visited during consulting hours, usually after
making an appointment by telephone.
If treatment by a specialist is needed, the GP will refer students to one. It
is not customary in the Netherlands for a patient to make an
appointment directly with a specialist.
We strongly advise students to register with a GP in their neighbourhood
as soon as possible.
Students can also visit the following website, to sign up with the “GP
Practice Zernike” for students from the University of Groningen:
https://www.hzzernike.nl/en/
If a student suddenly needs to consult a GP at night or in the weekend,
they should call the Central GP Office. In most cases they will ask
students to come to the ‘After-hours GP Service’.
After-hours GP service
(Centrale Doktersdienst)
Damsterdiep 191 c (not far from the University Hospital)
9713 EC Groningen
T: 0900 92 29
Please take notice of the following:
> In the Netherlands it is not permitted to go directly to the hospital
unless in cases of emergency; students should first consult their GP.
> Always bring your insurance card.
> In principle students are required to pay cash: approximately
regular consultancy ± € 25; consultancy by phone ± € 15; house call
± € 35; ask for the bill and get a refund from your insurance later.
Students who have health insurance through the University of
Groningen are not required to pay cash, because AON Insurances has
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an agreement with the ‘Academische Huisartsenpraktijk’ that the
invoice will be sent directly to AON.
> Clients will be registered at their first visit. In case of an emergency
or night/weekend visit, students should always mention where they
are registered.
> The GP will not always automatically prescribe medicine.
> In case of emergency students should mention that the University
has agreed with the GP’s of the ‘Academische Huisartsenpraktijk’
that they will act as GP for international students of the University of
Groningen.
If students need a dentist, they can contact the information desk at the
Department of Dentistry for an appointment +31 (0)50 363 7505.
Students are required to pay cash. Students should check in advance if
dental care is included in their insurance! If so, ask for the bill and get a
refund from the insurance later.
The national emergency number in the Netherlands is: 1-1-2
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Postal address
International Office
Faculty of Law
University of Groningen
P.O. Box 716
9700 AS Groningen
Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 7942
Fax: +31 (0)50 363 7408
E-mail: exchangelaw@rug.nl
Internet: www.rug.nl/law/exchange
The International Office is located at
Turftorenstraat 21, room T-68
Office hours for students:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 13.30-15.00 hrs.
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