BSc in Mathematics
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 19,300 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch, EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** for Non-EU|for EU/EEA EUR 2,530
Introduction
Could you predict an economic crisis? How many prime numbers are there in a certain interval? How do we calculate the limit of an infinite series of function values?
Mathematicians love difficult questions and models underpinned by theoretical foundations. Over the centuries, mathematics has made an important contribution to technological progress, and it is still a crucial part of research into important issues such as the climate crisis.
Obviously, parts of the degree program in Mathematics are similar to the mathematics that you studied at secondary school. However, you will also discover new areas such as algebra (number theory and coding), dynamical systems (how predictable is the weather?), and systems theory.
Some people choose to study Mathematics because its diversity appeals to them. Others recognize the social relevance of mathematics and choose to do research. Other students enjoy Mathematics simply because it involves solving abstract problems.
The University of Groningen offers degree programs in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The first year is largely the same for both Bachelor’s programs, during which you explore the programs and gradually work towards your specialization. It is possible to switch programs at the end of the first year.
Within the degree program in Mathematics, you can choose between two specializations:
- General Mathematics
- Probability & Statistics
This three-year program in Mathematics is an international Bachelor’s degree program. All of the course units are taught in English, which gives Mathematics an extra dimension as many of your fellow students and lecturers will come from abroad.
Why study this program in Groningen?
- In Groningen, you can study Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.
- You can switch to the other program at the end of the first year.
- Mathematics is an international degree program, which gives you a substantial advantage at the start of your career.
- The Faculty of Science and Engineering is home to the Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike.
Curriculum
Courses
- Analysis
- Calculus 1,2
- Computer-assisted Problem-solving
- Electives (e.g. Mechanics and Relativity 2, OR Modelling or Introduction to Logic) (optional)
- First-year project
- Kaleidoscope Mathematics
- Linear Algebra 1,2
- Linear Systems
- Mechanics and Relativity 1
- Probability Theory
Curriculum
The degree programs in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics have a common first year. This gives you time to familiarize yourself with the two programs so that you can make an informed decision at the end of the first year. During the first year, you take course units that are relevant to both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
You also become familiar with abstract mathematics – through course units such as Analysis – and the various specializations within Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, through the course units Probability Theory, Computer-Aided Problem Solving, Linear Systems, and First-year Project Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.
During the second and third years, as well as following common course units in Mathematics, you choose a specialization. The common course units include subjects such as Statistics, Group Theory, Partial Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis, and Numerical Mathematics. You complete your Bachelor's degree program with a research project.
Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.
Program options
- General Mathematics (specialization)
- Statistics & Probability (specialization)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
- Maximum of 30 EC
Exchange: All our science and engineering programs offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programs have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
Admissions
Gallery
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
Once you have finished your studies, especially your Master's degree, there are many possibilities for your future career. You can continue in the academic world or opt for a career in the business world, either in the Netherlands or abroad. Research, business, consultancy, or teaching, there are many fields open to you!
Business
Having finished your degree program in Mathematics, many opportunities will be open to you for a career in the business sector, for example with an insurance company or a consultancy firm. Multinational companies such as Shell, Philips, and ABN Amro also welcome mathematicians enthusiastically, as do smaller and medium-sized enterprises.
During the degree program, you learn to think logically and to structure your reasoning. An analytical approach becomes second nature – a skill that is highly welcome in the business world. After all, you are able to identify the structure of a large organization, separate the main issues from the side issues, and produce a model to predict how the organization will change as a result of internal and external influences.
Research
Once you have your Master’s degree, you may choose to carry out Ph.D. research at a university. Your Master’s degree will also qualify you for positions at research institutes such as TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute).
Teaching
There is a great demand for mathematicians to work as teachers in secondary education. After the Bachelor’s program in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, you can follow the Master’s degree program in Science Education & Communication (Dutch-taught education track, English-taught communication track).
Job examples
- Consultant
- Analyst
- Positions in the financial world
- Teacher
- Researcher