Expanding your knowledge and at the same time developing your skills is key. That is why you will participate in a variety of teaching activities. Most of the courses are evaluated with one or more tests. This is usually a written examination, but it can also be an essay, a report, or a presentation.

• Lectures (8 hours): Lectures give an introductory overview into the course content. You will attend them together with your fellow students. You will take notes, engage with the material, and have opportunities to ask questions. Additionally, guest lectures from experts working in various economic sectors and organisations will enrich your understanding by offering real-world perspectives.
• Tutorials (6 hours): You will work in smaller groups to discuss topics from the lectures in more depth. Exercises and practice assignments will help you apply the theory and build your problem-solving skills. Seminars come in 2 forms: plenary sessions and smaller-scale groups where you will work individually or in pairs on more advanced material.
• Practicals (2 hours): During practicals, you learn how to work with various mathematical and statistical computer programmes.
• Self-study (20 hours): During your study week, you spend time reviewing theory, revisiting lectures and seminars, and preparing for exams and presentations. This independent study time helps deepen your understanding and develop your academic skills.
• Skills & Connect: In the first 6 months of your studies, you will receive weekly coaching from a senior student in a small group. This mentor will help you learn to study more effectively and you will work together on your basic mathematics and statistics skills. In the meantime, you will also get to know your fellow students.
• Exams: At the University of Amsterdam, the academic year is divided into 2 semesters and 6 study blocks. In each block, you take courses that are assessed through exams. Almost all courses have a final exam at the end, and some also have a midterm exam halfway through. The exams are usually written and last 2 to 3 hours. You are generally allowed to use a calculator, and in some cases, a formula sheet. You are asked to solve (quantitative) exercises with pen and paper and to explain your reasoning. You receive partial credit for partially correct answers. If you fail an exam, you will have a chance to take a resit after a few weeks.

The 1^st  year focuses on developing your fundamental knowledge of mathematics, information science, probability theory, statistics, and economics. You will learn how to apply mathematical and statistical methods to economic topics such as:

• Macroeconomics: how the economic system functions at a broad level;
• Microeconomics: how consumers and firms behave in markets;
• Finance: how businesses are structured and how they make investment decisions.

 In the 2^nd half of the 1^st year, you will be introduced to the specialisations of both the Bachelor’s in Econometrics and Data Science and the Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science. These programmes share nearly the same curriculum in the first 2 years.

Hands-on courses:

• Introduction to Econometrics and Actuarial Science: In this course, you will use mathematical and statistical programming tools such as R and Python to make your first predictions and data analyses.
• Introduction to Data Science: Learn how to handle large datasets and prepare them for analysis using modern software. You’ll work with data structuring and cleaning techniques and explore compression methods similar to those used in platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The focus is on identifying key characteristics (features) in the data.

Binding Study Advice (BSA)

All bachelor’s programmes at the University of Amsterdam are subject to a Binding Study Advice (BSA). For this programme, you need to earn at least 48 out of 60 credits in your 1st year. If you do, you will receive a positive study advice and can continue into the 2nd year.

The 2nd year enhances your mathematical, statistical and research skills.

• You will start to apply these tools to econometrics and data science.
• You will take mandatory courses like Mathematical Economics and Econometrics 1&2. The focus here is on making predictions using models that incorporate observed data.
• In the course Statistical Learning, you will explore various machine learning techniques frequently used in artificial intelligence. By the end of this year, you will understand the fundamental concepts behind automatic email spam filtering, financial fraud detection, and how individuals' creditworthiness is assessed based on various financial and demographic data. You will also examine the ethical implications of such analyses, including how to avoid embedding unwanted discriminatory biases in your data models.
• In the final course Empirical Project, you will apply all your knowledge from the econometrics courses in a group project. You will assess the reproducibility of past research by, for instance, investigating the causal relationship between a country's economic growth and its colonial past, all through data analysis.

By the end of year 2, you will be able to conduct independent data analysis projects. You will combine insights from econometrics, statistics, and machine learning to solve complex research questions.

In year 3 you construct your own programme in the 1st semester. In the 2nd semester, you will specialise in one of the 2 specialisations.

1st semester (My semester: customise your programme)

Your 3rd year is all about exploring your individual academic interests. The 1^st semester of this year is all yours to construct. Options include an internship, studying abroad or free-choice electives.

• Do an internship: work at a company where you can put the experience and skills that you have gained into practice.
• Study abroad: spend a semester studying at one of our many partner universities to give you an exciting experience.
• Take a minor programme at the UvA or elsewhere: this gives you a chance to broaden and differentiate your knowledge. Minors that our students often choose, include: Programming, Mathematical Topics, and Macroeconomics.
• Deepen your knowledge with electives: choose between specialised courses in the area of business and economics to deepen your business knowledge.

2nd semester: Specialisation

In the 2^nd semester, you will specialise by choosing one of two specialisations:

1. Econometrics
   If the government increases excise duties to raise the price of petrol, fewer people will use their cars. By modelling such cause-and-effect relationships, econometricians aim to quantify and verify economic statements. Econometric models are widely used to forecast economic trends and to make evidence-based policy recommendations. In this specialisation, you will learn how to develop, interpret, and apply economic models to analyse economic issues and advise on effective solutions. Key courses include:
   • Mathematics Economics 2: How do markets and firms operate within the economy, and what policy tools can the government use to steer market operations?
   • Microeconometrics: Learn to analyse large datasets on individuals and households using modern techniques. What patterns of economic behaviour can be identified? This is an application-oriented course where you integrate knowledge from previous econometrics courses.
      
2. Data Science
   In the Data Science specialisation, the emphasis is on prediction and automation, rather than interpreting underlying causal relationships. You will work with large-scale datasets and focus on the practical use of machine learning and programming tools. Businesses increasingly rely on data scientists to unlock insights from their massive data collections to improve performance and gain competitive advantages. Machine learning and AI are at the core of this specialisation. Key courses include:
   • Text Retrieval and Mining: How can you apply computer science and machine learning to automate tasks humans perform on collections of texts? For instance, automatically grouping news articles by topic, detecting plagiarism, or identifying sentiment related to an event or brand.
   • Reinforcement Learning: Explore how agents (e.g., algorithms, robots) learn optimal behaviour through interaction and feedback. Applications include automated trading, smart energy systems, robotics, self-driving vehicles, and game AI.

There is some coursework in semester 2 of year 3, but a large part will be devoted to conducting and reporting on your own research. Is there a particular recent development that sparks your enthusiasm, or do you have a great idea of your own? Writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant research.

Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed for your graduation. Under the supervision of our researchers, you will follow a clearly defined path that will lead to your graduation with a Bachelor's degree.

This Bachelor’s offers a Dutch and an English track. If you are a Dutch-speaking student, you can choose to follow our Dutch track. Both tracks are identical in terms of level and content.

Dutch track

In the Dutch track, tutorials and some lectures will be conducted in Dutch. You will also complete assignments and exams in Dutch. Each year, the amount of English used in the programme gradually increases, ensuring you a smooth transition to a fully English-taught programme. The Dutch track can be a good choice if you want some time to adjust to the English language and prefer a gradual transition to a fully English-language programme.

English track

If you opt for the English track, all courses are in English. From year 1 you will study with both Dutch students and students from around the world. This creates a diverse and international classroom.

The transition from secondary school to university can be a major step. For this reason, you will receive intensive academic counselling as a 1st year student. You can also count on individual support during the rest of your studies.

The UvA offers a variety of minors and a wide selection of elective courses that you can undertake during your university years to broaden or deepen your knowledge.

If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours programme. You take the Honours programme alongside your regular studies. Completion results in you graduating 'with honours': an internationally recognised qualification.

During your Bachelor's programme, you could put your knowledge into practice by means of a work placement.

Studying abroad allows you to get to know a different culture, language and country, and we strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. We have made agreements with over 100 universities abroad, enabling you to study there for a semester.

Are you interested in learning Dutch? There are different options to give you the opportunity to maximise your Dutch experience and prepare for your future job in the Netherlands.

Many of our students are members of a study association. It is fun and useful for your future career at the same time. Faculty student associations are a great way to meet fellow students and future employers. They organise study trips (abroad), career events, weekly debates, parties, and receptions with drinks.

The VSAE is the primary study association for the ‘quant' within the economics department, i.e., students Econometrics and Data Science, Actuarial Science and Business Analytics. Through a membership you can purchase your textbooks and course syllabi at reduced rates. But there are other associations as well.

Overview of Study Associations

• Faculty study association Sefa
• International Student Committee (ISC, part of Sefa)
• Study Association Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics and Data Science and Business Analytics (VSAE)
• Financial Study Association Amsterdam (FSA)
• Marketing Association Amsterdam (MAA)
• International study association (AIESEC)

Amsterdam has a thriving student community with many activities organised outside of the university’s grounds. You will find student associations focusing on networking, specific interests and sports. It is only at sororities and fraternities that you can expect an initiation ritual (hazing).

At university, you are entitled to make your voice heard and assess the quality of your own education. Students can participate in the discussion on the university's education policy in various ways, such as by joining the Programme Committee, the Faculty Student Council or the student panel. You can also stand for election and dedicate your efforts to the programme and your fellow students.

Sustainability, ethics, and corporate social responsibility are introduced right from the 1st year in courses like Introduction to Econometrics and Actuarial Science, and Introduction to Data Science. In Mathematical Economics 1, you will encounter issues related to the distribution of resources in the economy. In Econometrics 1 & 2 and the Empirical Project, you will explore research in these themes. In the elective course International Partnerships for Local Global Challenges, in the first semester of the 3d year, you will take on the challenge of working with students abroad to address a societal issue, with a particular focus on these themes.

In the 2nd year course Introduction to Machine Learning, you will  learn how to mitigate unwanted biases in your research design. Climate change has become more of a concern for insurance companies, as policyholders face more frequent and severe damages due to extreme weather events. You will delve deeper into this in the course Risk Theory, where you'll explore whether risks can be insured and, if so, what premiums insurers should charge to continue covering the damages.