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Education Bachelor's degree programmes Mathematics
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Bachelor - full-time

Mathematics

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? Mathematics plays a key role in answering these questions. 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.

What to expect from the Bachelor's programme in Mathematics

✔ Build strong foundations in algebra, topology, analysis, and probability theory
✔ Develop advanced skills in logical reasoning, problem solving, and formulating mathematical proofs
✔ Study in an international classroom with students and lecturers from around the world

This three-year international Bachelor's programme in Mathematics aims at achieving theoretical depth. You will explore key topics such as number theory, topology, dynamical systems theory, and cryptography. In the first year, you will 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.

Want to learn more?

Facts & Figures
Degree
BSc in Mathematics
Course type
Bachelor
Duration
36 months (180 EC)
Croho code
56980
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Studie in Cijfers
Apply now

Why study this programme in Groningen?

  • The University of Groningen is the only Dutch university where you can study both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. You can still switch between the two programmes after the first year.
  • You can choose electives in the field of algebra, topology, probability theory, statistics, and dynamical systems taught by active researchers who are active in these fields.
  • Mathematics is an international degree programme, which gives you a substantial advantage at the start of your career.

Programme

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 Mathematicians
Probability Theory
Scientific Programming
Sets and Numbers

Curriculum

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. The courses you will take in the first year are relevant to the programme Mathematics as well as to the programme Applied Mathematics.

You will become familiar with abstract mathematics – through course units such as Sets & Numbers and Analysis – and various topics within Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, through the course units Probability Theory, Scientific Programming, Linear Systems, and First-year Project Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

During the second and third year you will take compulsory courses such as Statistics, Group Theory, Partial Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis and Numerical Mathematics. In addition, you can choose electives which allow you to pursue your own mathematical interests. You complete your Bachelor's programme with a research project.

Talented and highly motivated students can choose to pursue a double Bachelor programme in both Mathematics and Physics. However, this does require a full dedication to studying which leaves minimal time for sports, going out, or part-time jobs. Typically, only the top 5% of the students is capable of successfully completing a double degree and often these students take four years or longer to do so. More information can be found here.

Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.

Please be aware that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
  • Maximum of 30 EC

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.

Entry requirements

Admissible Dutch diploma profiles

  • VWO Natuur & Techniek
  • VWO Natuur & Gezondheid

    wiskunde B
  • VWO Economie & Maatschappij

    wiskunde B
  • VWO Cultuur & Maatschappij

    wiskunde B

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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.

Choice of degree programme check

More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202701 September 2027
EU/EEA students01 May 202701 September 2027
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202701 September 2027

Choice of degree programme check

More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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/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/education/admission-and-application/apply-bsc/language

Registration procedure

Early Bird Applications
If you apply between 1 October and 28 February and submit all the requested information and documents in full via the Progress Portal, you will receive a decision on your admission within one month. Click here for more information.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202701 September 2027
EU/EEA students01 May 202701 September 2027
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202701 September 2027

Tuition fees

NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2026-2027€ 2694full-time
non-EU/EEA2026-2027€ 19800full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students

After your studies

Job prospects

The Bachelor programme Mathematics prepares you for a follow-up Master programme in Mathematics. Once you have finished 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
After finishing a Master 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.


The analytical skills and ability to think logically you will learn during the degree programme are highly valued 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).

Job examples

  • Researcher
  • Consultant
  • Analyst
  • Positions in the financial world
  • Teacher

Research

Our Bachelor's degree programme in mathematics is connected to the Bernoulli Institute.

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:

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Contact

  • Admissions Board Bachelor Programmes (for students with different Dutch qualifications like HBO-P or Colloquium Doctum)
    Email: admissions.board.bsc.fse rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)50 3637361
  • Admissions Office (contact form for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976
  • Ask Our Students! (Like to talk about the programme and student life with someone currently studying Maths?)
    Email: mathstudents rug.nl
  • Academic Advisors FSE
  • faq (Here you find answers for prospective students to all frequently asked questions.)
  • Study Science (For general questions for all prospective students)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl
Testimonial of Wietske de Vos
Groningen is perfect because I don't need to go abroad to meet international students
– Wietske de Vos
I'm from the Zaanstreek and chose to study in Groningen because it's far enough from home, but still a great place to be. I knew I wanted to study Mathematics, so I made a list of all six universities offering the programme. After visiting open days, Groningen stood out for two reasons: I love the city because it's not overrun by tourists, and I enjoy the international atmosphere, which is unique to Groningen or the VU in Amsterdam. I've met many international friends and even visited one in Northern Ireland this summer.

I discovered my love for mathematics in high school, especially through activities like the Kangaroo competition and the Math Olympiad. I wasn't always the best, but I enjoyed the challenges, which made me realize how much I loved the subject. What I really enjoy about the programme is that once something is proven in math, it's absolute—unlike other fields like psychology, where things are less certain.

Mathematics here is what I expected, though it's different from high school. Thanks to the Olympiad, I had already experienced this more theoretical side of math. My favorite topics are Number Theory and Group Theory, with the current course, Algebraic Structures, building on Group Theory. I love how math focuses on finding the underlying structures, rather than just solving problems.
Groningen is perfect because I don't need to go abroad to meet international students.

After my Bachelor's I am planning to do a Master's in Mathematics here.

Outside of my studies, I'm involved with the Math Olympiad as a trainer and coordinator, and I enjoy reading and playing badminton.
Testimonial of Augustin Procopi
A lot of freedom in organizing my study time
– Augustin Procopi

Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to study mathematics and to make a career out of it. This was determined by my passion to transform real-world problems into mathematical questions and to solve them in a rigorous way.

I wanted to move from Moldova to the Netherlands for my Bachelor’s degree because of the country’s advanced and modern educational system. I picked Groningen because of the highly accredited university here, and it seemed like the best fit for me given that this city is very accommodating to both Dutch and international students.

If I were to pick the best feature of my degree programme, it would be the possibility to study at my own pace. Most of the time, I have a lot of freedom in organizing my study time. This has taught me to be more self-organized and has given me the feeling that everything is within my reach—it just takes determination and hard work.

At the moment, I am working on my Bachelor’s thesis, and I am really excited about how it is turning out. The thesis will provide an in-depth statistical analysis of the Dutch housing market indicators, which could be further used by experts in the field to solve the incredibly worrying dynamics of this sector in the Netherlands.

During my free time, I like to play with my cat Keanu or to practise one of my hobbies, which include playing tennis, reading, fishing, cycling, roller skating, and playing chess. In the past year, I have worked in a couple of positions within the University of Groningen, which has shown me the other side of the educational process.

Testimonial of Vinnie Ko
Talk to the people who are already working in the field
– Vinnie Ko

I like maths since I was a child. Unlike other subjects, it's more 'doing' and less memorizing facts.

At this moment. I’m working as a PhD candidate in mathematical statistics. I spend around 75% of my time on research: reading articles, trying things out, programming and appointments with my supervisor. 25% of time is spent on teaching: preparing exercises/solutions for the class, giving tutorials, and grading assignments/exams. I also often go to presentations/seminars/conferences.

As a PhD candidate, I daily use the mathematical and statistical knowledge that I learned during my study. But, I think the most valuable thing that I learned during my study is how to think critically and logically. In my Bachelor’s thesis, I analyzed social, geographical, and lexical influences on Dutch dialect pronunciations. For this, I used ‘generalized additive mixed model’ which is a flexible method that can be used to analyze non-linear relationships.

When I was a student, I wondered how it would be to work at a company/university and what kind of skills I would need. Now looking backwards, the way I imagined it was very different from how it’s really like. Try to get a real glance of things that you want to do after your study. You can for example talk to the people who are already working in that field.

Vinnie Ko - PhD University of Oslo

Study associations

FMF

The FMF is an association for the Bachelor's programmes Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, Physics, Astronomy and all of the subsequent Master's programmes at the University of Groningen.
Our association pursues three objectives. The first objective is to contribute to the broadening of our members' scientific education by organizing various activities in the scientific field. Furthermore, we aim to promote contact between students, and between the students and the academic staff through informal activities. Our final objective is to represent the interests of our members, by organizing symposia, excursions, and company visits.
https://www.fmf.nl
(Binding) study advice
  • A minimum of 45 EC in the first 12 months (binding)

You will be issued a study advice at the end of your first year of study. If you have earned 45 ECTS or more out of a total of 60, you will receive a positive binding study advice. If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative study advice, you will not be allowed to continue your degree programme.

You will receive a preliminary study advice in February to make sure that you know where you are. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system.
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