How many prime numbers are there in a certain interval? How do we calculate the limit of an infinite series of function values? Can you predict an economic crisis?
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 on important issues such as the climate crisis.
Obviously, parts of the degree programme 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. Another difference with secondary school is that university mathematics has a very strong focus on reasoning and proofs.
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 programmes in both
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The first year is largely the
same for both Bachelor’s programmes, during which you explore
the programmes and gradually work towards your specialization. It
is still possible to switch programmes in the second year.
Within the degree programme in Mathematics, you can choose between
two specializations:
- General Mathematics
- Probability and Statistics
This three-year programme in Mathematics is an international Bachelor’s degree programme. 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.
Listen to the podcast!
Do you want to hear more from people who have a passion for (Applied) Mathematics? Professor Marcello Seri and Master student Marit van Straaten are hosting the podcast “It’s not just numbers” (in English) which features mathematics professors from the University of Groningen talking about the human aspects of mathematics! Episodes 5 and 6 address the differences between applied mathematics and pure mathematics.CoursesCourse Catalog > |
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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 |
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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.
wiskunde B
wiskunde B
wiskunde B
Specific requirements | More information |
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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 |
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Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
Specific requirements | More information |
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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 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
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: