RUG selection attempts: an active application after 15 January uses one up
The university allots different numbers of attempts per programme, and an active application after 15 January spends one whether or not you take part.
Gradepath@BeBuddiDigital editor
Official notice
In the "Check how many selection attempts you have left" section, the University of Groningen lists attempts by programme: Dentistry 1, Medicine 2, International Business 3 and Psychology 3, while the Dutch version of the same page puts the national ceiling per programme at three ("landelijk maximum"). The university further states: "You will have used up a selection attempt if you have an active application after 15 January, regardless of whether or not you actually take part in the selection procedure". Applicants whose personal details are not verified by 15 February become ineligible and also spend an attempt. Past participation in decentralised selection or a draw counts towards the total. Used attempts are visible in Studielink, and anyone who considers the record wrong must contact the university before 1 September through the Selection and Placement form. Finally, if you fail the exams needed for admission, the attempt can be cancelled on request made before 1 September, in which case it is not counted and you may take part again the following year.
Gradepath analysis
First, the costliest sentence is the one about not taking part: an application left active after 15 January spends an attempt even if you never sit the selection procedure, so a late change of mind still costs you. Second, the allowance is not a flat three: Dentistry gives one, Medicine two, International Business and Psychology three. Our earlier line that every programme allowed three has been corrected by the official table, so check your own programme before applying. Third, verification failures cost an attempt too: miss the 15 February verification and you become ineligible and lose an attempt, with no remedy. Fourth, old attempts count: previous decentralised selection or draws are included in the total, and corrections must be raised before 1 September, a date the university states without saying what happens afterwards. Fifth, the one escape is failing the exams you need for admission: request cancellation before 1 September and the attempt is not counted, letting you try again next year. That matters especially if you have just sat public examinations with disappointing results — check whether you qualify for cancellation before spending an attempt you cannot spare.
Gradepath@BeBuddi action step
Open the admissions overview and mark the January withdrawal window →Official source：University of Groningen · Inschrijven numerus fixusopleiding ↗
- Study in NL
- Numerus fixus
- Attempts
Dates, quotas and admission arrangements follow official and school announcements; the analysis here is general information and is not individual admissions or professional advice.