IB Pathways
Data Science for Global Challenges

Wageningen University & Research · Netherlands

Data Science for Global Challenges

Data science and AI applied to climate change, health and food security, such as spotting deforestation in satellite images or tracking how diseases spread.

Image: Wageningen University & Research

Where
WageningenNetherlands
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
Not published yet2026: 15 June (EU/EEA, in Studielink)
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

Not published yet2026: 15 June (EU/EEA, in Studielink)

  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, 23:59*

    Last day to keep your right to a place (programmes without selection)
    Equal consideration
    Details

    Apply by 1 May and you are entitled to admission to a non-selective programme you qualify for. The government says a first application after 1 May may be refused - the programme can still take you, but does not have to. Some institutions set earlier dates of their own, and theirs is the one that binds.

    Studielink closes at 23:59 on 1 May. The government’s rule is what makes it an equal-consideration date: apply by 1 May and you are entitled to admission to a programme you qualify for ("Aanmelding tot en met 1 mei betekent ook recht op toelating"); a first application after 1 May "kan door de opleiding geweigerd worden" - the programme may still take you, but it does not have to. Some programmes close earlier for capacity or matching reasons, and the programme’s own date is the one that binds.

    Source

  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

Year one combines life sciences, mathematics, statistics and computer science, and applies data science to global challenges. Year two moves to advanced data science and artificial intelligence techniques, with an emphasis on using them responsibly. You learn programming, statistical analysis and model building, and work with diverse data including satellite and sensor data, in group work that builds interdisciplinary collaboration. In year three you take electives or a minor, at one of nearly 50 options or another university, and finish with a capstone project applying data science to a global challenge. Graduates work as data scientists, AI and geo-data specialists, or epidemiologists.

What you need

  • Maths AA (SL or HL) or AI HL
  • Chemistry, Biology or Physics (SL or HL)
Requirements in full

Every IB applicant at Wageningen University & Research

Full IB Diploma. Strictest: Maths AI HL or AA SL/HL plus Chemistry and Physics, one at HL (2026 list). IB taught only in English, English A at 5, or English B HL 6/SL 7 covers English.

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on wur.nl

How places are decided

    • Everyone eligible is admitted
    No cap: meet the subject requirements and you are admitted. Apply early and send your marks so WUR can list any missing subjects. 2026 criteria; 2027 not yet published.
Sources (3)
  1. Data Science for Global Challenges at WUR — checked 2026-09-30
  2. Entry requirements
  3. IB applicants at WUR

Other degrees at WUR