Applying for the BSc Data Science & Society

You need a diploma that gives access to a Dutch research university (WO):

• Dutch VWO diploma, or

• An international equivalent to Dutch VWO*, or

• A Dutch HBO propedeuse, or

• Admission via colloquium doctum

If you are applying with a non-Dutch diploma and you have not graduated yet, you must upload a Statement of Enrolment* together with your other documents (signed by your school).

*If you don’t see your diploma / country listed, you are still welcome to apply, as applications are assessed on an individual basis, and new qualifications may be added to the list.

DSS is fully taught and assessed in English, so you need to demonstrate strong English skills.

In some cases you are exempt from submitting an additional English test. In all other cases you must complete an approved English language test.

Below you can find:

• the situations in which you are exempt from submitting a test (English test: exemptions), and

• the accepted English tests and minimum scores (English test: accepted tests & grades).

Because of the content of some courses, DSS has a mathematics requirement. You need Mathematics at VWO level (Wiskunde A or B) or an international equivalent:

Don't meet the requirements?
In this case we ask you to fill out the Mathematics Course Description Checklist and upload it with your online application. You can view an example of a completed form here: EXAMPLE: DSS mathematics course description.

If your mathematics level is deemed insufficient based on the checklist you submitted, you will be required to obtain one of the accepted Mathematics proficiency certificates before the start of the programme, see in the dropdown below.

You are exempt from submitting an English test if you:

• Native speaker + secondary education
  Are a native speaker of English and completed your entire secondary education in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada.

• Bachelor’s degree in these countries
  Have already completed an entire Bachelor’s degree programme in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (taught and assessed in English).

• Dutch VWO
  Have a Dutch VWO diploma with a final grade of at least 7 for English.

• HBO-P
  Have obtained a Dutch HBO propaedeutic diploma that is fully taught and assessed in English.

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
  Have obtained (or will obtain) an International Baccalaureate diploma with English as the medium of instruction.

• European Baccalaureate (EB)
  Have obtained (or will obtain) a European Baccalaureate diploma from a European School or Accredited European School with English as final exam subject at L1 or L2.

• German Abitur
  Have obtained the German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife with a grade of 10 for English eA, LK or LF.

• GCE A-levels
  Have obtained (or will obtain) at least three GCE A2-level certificates from an accredited examination board.

• French OIB
  Have obtained (or will obtain) the French Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB), section Britannique / Anglais.

• South African NSC + IEB AP English
  Have obtained (or will obtain) the South African National Senior Certificate with IEB Advanced Programme English and a result of 55% or higher.

If you do not fall under one of the exemptions above, you must complete an approved English language test (see English test: accepted tests & grades).

If you have not taken a test yet, indicate this in your online application. If a test is required, you will be informed in your decision letter.

Validity of tests
IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE and TOEFL certificates are valid for two years. Cambridge certificates do not have limited validity.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

If your mathematics level is deemed insufficient based on this checklist, you will be required to obtain one of the accepted Mathematics proficiency certificates:

Studielink is the system used in the Netherlands to enroll students in higher education programmes. Both the University and the Dutch government obtain their information from Studielink.

Register in Studielink for: Data Science & Society WO Bachelor

• Dutch students: log in with your DigiD.

• International students: choose “Log in without DigiD” and create a Studielink account.

Studielink is the system used in the Netherlands to enroll students in higher education programmes. Both the University and the Dutch government obtain their information from Studielink.

Register in Studielink for: Data Science & Society WO Bachelor

• Dutch students: log in with your DigiD.

• International students: choose “Log in without DigiD” and create a Studielink account.

Once your file is complete, it is assessed by the Admissions Office.

By law, the Admissions Office has 6–8 weeks to process your file. If you apply early in the year, the processing time is often shorter (around 2–4 weeks).

If you are offered a place in the programme, you will receive a conditional or provisional offer by email. Congratulations, you’re in!

To finalise your admission, you must meet all conditions in your offer (for example obtaining your diploma or proof of English proficiency or completing a mathematics exam) and send certified copies of your diploma and transcript to the Admissions Office.

After that, you can move on to the steps on our “Application accepted” and “Information for new students” pages.