Welcome to Hanze University of Applied Sciences!

We offer a top-notch, modern study environment on campus. In addition, we offer affordable student facilities to improve both body and mind for a balanced study life. This includes a substantial, well-kept swimming pool, fabulous tennis and squash court, a novel fitness centre and an extensive variety of other physical activities from tranquil yoga to peppy boot camp. Besides the excellent sports facilities, our campus has a large supermarket and multiple barista cafes, and provides healthy dishes in our canteens. You can also register for the ACLO, Groningen's main student sports association, offering courses in all kinds of sports, including even underwater hockey, windsurfing and e-sports!

The city of Groningen was voted the best student city in the Netherlands several years in a row (Elsevier). Within Europe, we came top in educational facilities, health care services and public spaces. If that's not enough to convince you, Groningen is also one of the top 3 cities in Europe in terms of quality of life, sports and air quality (European Commission Survey, 2013). Last but not least, the Netherlands is ranked as one of the safest and happiest countries in the world, making it a secure and memorable study destination.

Studying at a university of applied sciences means that you get to apply the extensive knowledge you gain during your studies. For example, students can put theory into practice by solving real-life problems in collaboration with companies from the professional field. In this way, you are prepared for your future outside the university walls. Hanze, together with these companies, creates these environments for exactly that reason. 

The real-life projects are tackled by interdisciplinary and intercultural groups. This interdisciplinary approach is a breeding ground for innovation. You are given the opportunity to improve your problem solving skills and broaden your scope beyond your own field of studies. This is useful in the professional practice, where interdisciplinary problem solving is becoming more important. 

On top of that, all students undertake several work placements during their studies, giving them the chance to build up valuable work experience while they study. With actual work experience on your CV, you gain a real head start in the job market.

Are you keen to start your own company? This is also possible during your studies at Hanze! Entrepreneurship is one of our focus areas: we stimulate our students to use their talents, to experiment, and to launch their own company. We have multiple facilities in place to support student start-ups, such as mentoring programmes, events, and competitions through which students can receive funding for their business idea. Your company could be up and running by the time you graduate!

Groningen has a significant international community. There are numerous student societies and international associations based in the city, which enhance  the social experience and help international students to feel at home. Combined with the fact that the Netherlands is a country renowned for its frequent use of English as a second language (EF English Proficiency Index, 2023), there will be no problem interacting with both international and Dutch students, lecturers and local residents.

Groningen is highly regarded as one of the best cities for studying in the Netherlands. More than 50,000 students live in the city, which means every fourth person is a student.  

Put simply, Groningen is a great place to live. In addition, the city has an advantageous position in the Netherlands and Europe. With Groningen Airport and Schiphol Airport close by, cities like Berlin, Paris and London are just around the corner. Moreover, the prominent economic position of the Netherlands within the EU will surely open the doors for students with professional ambitions in Europe.

International Recruitment Officers
Our International Recruitment Officers travel around the world to meet you, interested prospective students who want to study abroad. Hanze is a great university to study and Groningen a great place to live, but of course you want a programme that meets your aspirations! Our International Recruitment Officers can provide you with all the information about the international bachelor's and master's programmes that we offer. You can meet them in your own country. For a full overview, please see our fairs overview.

Hanze International Student Team
Studying abroad in a different country with a completely different culture can be a daunting process, therefore we assembled the Hanze International Student Team. The team consists of current international students who know everything about what it is like to move abroad, study at Hanze and live in Groningen. The Hanze International Student Team maintains personal contact with international students and makes sure they feel at home at Hanze and in Groningen.

Besides this, the Hanze International Student Team also organizes many events like Cultural Celebrations, Campus Tours, meets international students during the Open Days and the Welcome Day at the beginning of the academic year.

For more information, you can contact our Hanze International Student Team at [email protected].