Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
University of Groningenfounded in 1614  -  top 100 university
About us Faculty of Science and Engineering Education Admission and application Application route - Master Apply for a Master

Apply for a MSc Programme

Artificial Intelligence (selective)

Welcome to the Application page for the Master's programme Artificial Intelligence. This page outlines the step-by-step process for completing your application to the Master's programme Artificial Intelligence.

Questions about the Admission & Selection procedure? Contact us via admissionsupport.fse@rug.nl.

1. Admission & Selection

Am I admissible?

For admission in this Master's programme, you need a Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence or a related field including the following key subjects: Calculus & Linear Algebra, Statistics, Programming, Machine Learning, Logic, Neural Networks, Research Methodology Skills. 

Do you have a Dutch University Bachelor’s degree which covers some but not all key subjects? You can still apply, we will always consider your application. If you cannot be admitted directly, you may be offered a premaster programme, which will allow you to catch up with key subjects before starting the master. 

Students with a Dutch HBO degree are not directly admissible but may be offered a premaster programme if they have a relevant degree. 

For a selective programme like this, applicants are also checked for their academic performance and motivation. These will be assessed on the basis of your application file.

Selection

For a selective programme like this, applicants are also checked for their academic performance and motivation. These will be assessed on the basis of your application file.

For detailed information on how the selection procedure is performed, please check the official documentation (Teaching and Exam Regulation, Appendix VI, paragraph 3)

This Master’s programme does NOT have a Numerus Fixus or limited intake: this means that every applicant fulfilling the admission & selection requirements will be admitted to the programme.

Pre-master

Are you currently enrolled in a Dutch (HBO) Bachelor’s programme and interested in one of our Master’s programmes? A Pre-master's  programme may be offered to students with a Dutch Bachelor’s degree who have covered some but not all key subjects in their own degree. Also, students with a relevant HBO degree are not directly admissible but will be offered a Pre-master's  programme programme.

For the Master’s programme Artificial Intelligence, the following:

The admission & selection procedure for Pre-master's programme students is exactly the same as for all other students. Please follow the steps indicated below.

The Board of Admissions can decide to offer a Pre-master's programme to:

·         Students with a Dutch University Bachelor’s degree which covers some, but not all, key subjects needed for admission.

·         Students with a relevant Dutch HBO degree.

We offer predetermined Pre-master's programmes, which are listed in in our online course catalogue Ocasys, and individually determined Pre-master’s programmes for the Master's programme Artificial Intelligence. Please know that up-to-date programmes are published as of 1 June. 

The Admission & Selection procedure for Pre-master's students is the same as for all other applicants: please follow the instructions to hand in your application file below.

The selection procedure takes place before starting the Pre-master's programme: after successfully finishing the Pre-master's programme, you will be automatically admissible into the Master's programme.

The starting date for a Pre-master's programme is 1 September. After successful completion of the Pre-master's programme, the Master's programme can be started on September.

Pre-master's programme 1

For students with a Bachelor’s degree (except Artificial Intelligence and Computing Science) from the Faculty of Science and Engineering from the University of Groningen (UG) and for students with a Bachelor’s degree in Econometrics from the UG. The Board of Admissions may decide to include/exclude different courses on an individual basis.

Pre-master's programme 2

For students with a relevant Bachelor’s degree without a scientific background. The Board of Admissions may decide to include/exclude different courses on an individual basis.

Pre-master's programme 3

For students with a HBO-ICT degree from Hanze University Groningen in Software Engineering, Business IT & Management or Network & Security Engineering. The Board of Admissions may decide to include/exclude different courses on an individual basis.

2. Application Procedure

To apply for one of the FSE Master's degree programmes, please consider the start dates and the application deadlines in the table below. These deadlines are strict!
Start date (block)
Application deadline
September 1 (1a)
May 1
February 1 (2a)*
December 1

*This option applies only for a few Master's degree programmes. Please see 'Start dates' for more information.

The selective Master's degree programme Marine Biology has a different application deadline:

Start date (block)
Application deadline
September 1 (1a)
March 15

The application deadline for the Pre-master's programmes and/or Fast-track programmes is:

Start date (block)
Application deadline
September 1 (1a)
May 1
February 1 (2a)*
December 1

* This option applies only for the Pre-master's/Fast-track programme of Biomedical Sciences.

Your steps to take:

Submit your application in Studielink

Please register in Studielink for the (Pre-) Master’s programme (including the master track if available). Please make sure you meet the payment obligations before the starting date (single payment or in instalments).

Please note; In case you would like to start with a Pre-master's programme, please make sure you register for the Pre-master's programme instead of the Master's degree programme in Studielink. If you have questions on how to register in Studielink, please contact us.

Hand in your admission request

To file an application for admission to the (Pre-)Master's degree programme, you need to upload the following documents in the application process which is described below.

Please note; the documents should be subitted as PDF-files and in English. Other formats and languages will not be taken into consideration!
The maximum file-size is 5 MB. If it is not possible to crop your PDF file to < 5 MB, please contact us.

  1. Curriculum Vitae.
  2. Official transcript of records.
  3. A copy of your Bachelor's degree, or if you have not obtained your degree yet, a document containing a description + planning of the remaining course units in your programme.

  4. The completely filled-in checklist for the selective programme Artificial Intelligence.

  5. Written report, see the explanation in the checklists (link at point 4).

3. What to expect next?

You will recieve the decision letter by email within 6 weeks after application.

(Conditional) Admission

After the admissions board has assessed your admission request you will receive an (conditional) admission letter within six weeks.

When you have not yet obtained your bachelor's degree you will receive a conditional admission letter.

Rejection

After you have submitted your admission request the admissions board will assess your file. You will receive an admission decision letter within six weeks. When the board has determined that your educational background or allignment with the Master's degree programme is insufficient you wil receive a rejection letter.

Pre-master

After the admissions board has assessed your admission request you will receive an (conditional) admission letter by email within six weeks.

When you have not yet obtained your bachelor's degree you will receive a conditional admission letter.

Because the Master's degree programme AI is selective, this means that once you have successfully completed the pre-Master's programme, you will also be automatically admitted to the Master's programme in AI. You do need to register in Studielink. After this Admission Support will process your application.

Appeal

If you disagree with a decision, you can lodge a complaint, objection or appeal. Complaints, objections and appeals can be submitted to the Central Portal for the Legal Protection of Student Rights (CLRS).

Last modified:24 February 2026 1.53 p.m.