How many prime numbers are there in a certain interval? How do we calculate a sum with infinitely many terms? How does cryptography work? Why is the weather unpredictable? If you're curious about abstract structures, precise and logical reasoning, and the rich diversity of mathematics as a discipline, the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the University of Groningen offers you the tools to explore all of it.
This three-year international Bachelor's programme in
Mathematics aims at achieving theoretical depth. You’ll
explore key topics such as number theory, topology, dynamical
systems theory, and cryptography and coding theory. In the first
year, you’ll take courses shared with students in Applied
Mathematics, giving you the freedom to explore both programmes
before choosing your direction without study delay.
Whether you're fascinated by pure theory, motivated by
societal relevance, or drawn to mathematics for the challenge
itself, this programme gives you the freedom to explore your
interests and build a strong foundation for further study or a
career in research, technology, education, and more.
| CoursesCourse Catalog > |
|---|
| Analysis |
| Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 |
| First-year Project |
| Introduction to Graph Theory |
| Linear Algebra 1 and Linear Algebra 2 |
| Linear Systems |
| Mechanics and Relativity for Maths |
| Probability Theory |
| Scientific Programming |
| Sets and Numbers |
The degree programmes in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics have a common first year. This gives you time to familiarize yourself with the two programmes, 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 programme with a research project.
Some very talented and highly motivated students have the
opportunity to receive a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics as well
as a Bachelor's degree in Physics. This normally requires one
additional year and choosing studying over things like sports,
going out or holding a part-time job. More information can be found
here: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/double-degree-mathematics-physics
Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.
| Programme options |
|---|
| General Mathematics (specialization) In General Mathematics, the emphasis is on the theoretical aspects of mathematics. Topics that you already know from secondary school are treated in more depth and breadth. For example, the mathematical foundation of continuity, differentiation and integration is explained, also for functions of more than one variable. You learn to analyze series of terms and prove theorems regarding their convergence. You are also introduced to new fields of mathematics, such as number theory and coding, numerical mathematics and dynamical systems. |
| Statistics and Probability (specialization) The Statistics and Probability specialization focuses on applications and advanced knowledge in the field of probability and statistics. In short, you learn how to analyse data. For example, you learn how to calculate the probability of an event and how to estimate and test a hypothesis regarding the data. This data may be taken from the medical sciences, industry or pre-election polls. The acquired knowledge can be applied to answer questions such as: 'If 10% of the sample population lives in an industrial area and they have a 20% higher risk of a certain disease, what can you say about the average health of the total population?' You also learn how to process 'big data' and how to use search algorithms to find relevant information in large datasets. |
Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes 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 programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
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wiskunde B
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| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| language test |
Language proficiency certificate for English (except for applicants with a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) as well as the exemptions listed on the language exemptions webpage). More info: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Before you apply! When you cannot fulfil the vwo requirement, due to deficient profile or if you want to be admitted on the basis of a successfully passed first year of HBO or colloquium doctum, you need to submit an additional admission request via the Admission Board Bachelor programmes. Please go to this website for more information. Please note! The admissions procedure is independent of the matching procedure. Information about the matching procedure can be found here |
More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Secondary education equivalent to Dutch pre-university education (vwo) is required. A list of qualifications that are considered equivalent to pre-university education in the Netherlands can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/contact/ |
| additional subject |
Sufficient background knowledge in Mathematics is required. The Admissions Board will determine whether your background knowledge in this subject is sufficient to start the Bachelor's degree programme of your choice. |
| language test |
You will need to submit proof of English proficiency in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Please find our English language requirements (exemptions, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and more) on this page: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Please note! The admissions procedure is independent of the matching procedure. Information about the matching procedure can be found here |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
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 programme 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 programme, 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, to separate the main issues from the side-issues, and to 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 PhD 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 programme in
Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, you can follow the
Master’s degree programme in Science
Education & Communication (Dutch-taught education track,
English-taught communication track).
The mission of the Bernoulli Institute is to perform outstanding academic research and teaching in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, and to maintain international leadership herein; to foster these disciplines as a living body of knowledge, and to make it relevant to society in its broadest sense. The symbiosis between pure and applied science, and between mono- and multidisciplinary research and teaching, is a distinguishing characteristic of our institute. As an important part of this mission we aim to transfer our results to other areas of science and technology, and initiate and expand inter- and multi-disciplinary research collaborations.
The following research groups within the institute focus on Mathematics:
