IB Pathways
Data Science and Society

University of Groningen · Netherlands

Data Science and Society

Programming, data analysis and machine learning taught together with the law, ethics and politics of data, with projects for real organisations on the small Leeuwarden campus.

Image: University of Groningen

Where
LeeuwardenNetherlands
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
1 May 2027A February start has an earlier deadline
Admission
Open to all who qualify
EU/EEA fee
€2,7712027/28 statutory fee
More facts
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027

Deadlines

  1. 1 December 2026*

    Create your Studielink account
    Your own plan
    Details

    Not an official deadline. With a Dutch address you log in with DigiD, which the government says takes about five days. Without one you upload a scan or photo of your passport or EU identity card and Studielink verifies it automatically. Either way, do it well before 15 January.

    Source

  2. 1 May 2027

    Application deadline for all other bachelor's
    Hard deadline
    DetailsSource

  3. 6 July 2027*

    IB results released
    Details

    Both Dutch deadlines fall well before this. How a conditional place pending results is handled is set by each institution; ask yours.

    Source

* Last year’s date, not yet confirmed.

Every date in the Netherlands

What it is

You study programming in Python, databases and SQL, big data analytics, statistical and machine learning, visualising data and statistical inference alongside science and technology studies, the governance of innovation and human rights in the digital age. Learning is discussion-based, with one-to-one mentoring and field projects for partner organisations such as the Dutch statistics bureau CBS, Datamaran and TEXroad, in Leeuwarden with its DataFryslan initiative. In year two you specialise in AI and Society or in Cognitive Technology, and year three offers study abroad or a minor, plus a bachelor thesis. Graduates become data engineers, data scientists, data analysts, data protection officers or policy advisors.

What you need

  • Any IB MathsWith a passing grade.
Requirements in full

Every IB applicant at University of Groningen

The IB Diploma counts as Dutch VWO; no minimum points. An IB taught in English waives the English test.

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on rug.nl

How places are decided

    • Everyone eligible is admitted
    Not selective: meet the requirements and you are admitted. Apply by 1 May 2027 for September; a February 2027 start has an earlier deadline.
Sources (3)
  1. Data Science and Society at RUG — checked 2026-09-25
  2. Entry requirements
  3. IB applicants at RUG

Other degrees at RUG