The most student-filled city
Around a quarter of its inhabitants are students. The University of Groningen and Hanze, with a lower cost of living than in the west of the country.
In short
Groningen is the most student-filled city in the Netherlands: one in four people is a student. The Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (1614) has many English-taught degrees, and Hanze provides the more practical side. It's in the north, far from the Randstad, but cheaper: a room costs around €565 a month.
Updated in
*Kamernet average for Q4 2025.
Self-assessment
Where to study
The Netherlands has two types of university: research universities (WO), more academic, and universities of applied sciences (HBO), more practical and with company placements. These are the main options in Groningen:
Research university (WO)
One of the oldest and largest universities in the country, well placed in international rankings. A very wide offering in English.
In English: For example, International Business, Psychology, International Relations, Econometrics or University College Groningen.
Official website →University of applied sciences (HBO)
Practical training in business, communication, engineering, music and health, with plenty of company placements.
In English: For example, International Business or International Communication.
Official website →Cost of living
Budget between €940 and €1,175 a month, not counting tuition. Tuition for EU students is €2,694 a year in 2026-2027 (official fee, the same at all public universities).
If you work at least 32 hours a month in the Netherlands, you can apply for the DUO grant like a Dutch student: in 2026 that is up to €324.52 a month in basic grant, plus up to €491.08 in supplementary grant depending on your parents' income.
| Monthly spending | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Room rental | 565 € |
| Food and groceries | 250–350 € |
| Transport (bike and the odd train) | 15–40 € |
| Mobile and internet | 10–20 € |
| Leisure, materials and other | 100–200 € |
| Total | 940–1.175 € |
Rent: Kamernet (2025-2026). If you work in the Netherlands you will also need Dutch health insurance (from around €150 a month, with possible government help); if you don't work, the European Health Insurance Card plus supplementary insurance is enough.
Accommodation
For years Groningen has had a shortage of rooms at the start of the academic year, and prices have risen sharply. Some listings don't accept international students, so it's best to start early and rely on the residences.
City life
With so many students, the city lives at its own pace: bars open late, societies for everything and a centre that cars barely enter. Everything is 10 minutes away by bike.
The centre is designed for bikes and pedestrians: it's one of the most cycling-friendly cities in the world.
A festival of theatre, music and art every August in Noorderplantsoen park.
The city's emblematic tower, with views over the whole province.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly between €940 and €1,175 a month, with a room of around €565 (Kamernet average from late 2025). It's cheaper than the Randstad cities.
Yes, many: International Business, Psychology, International Relations, Econometrics or University College Groningen, among others.
At the start of the academic year there is a lot of competition and some landlords don't rent to internationals. It's best to start searching in spring and sign up for the residences.
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