Mathematics requirements

In order to be admitted to one of these three programs, you must prove that you have enough knowledge of mathematics. We measure this both by the level and amount of time you have taken math education, as well as your final grade.

• Are you applying before you have graduated? In the year before the final year of secondary school you will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics.
• Are you applying after you have graduated? You will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics on your final exam.

For a few secondary school systems, the specific requirements can be found below. Please note that this table is not exhaustive. If you want to be sure that you meet the math requirements, please contact the admissions office, or submit an application! You will hear from us within a few weeks whether you meet the mathematics requirement, or what your options are for reaching the right level.

Data Science is a joint degree with Eindhoven University of Technology and has a strong focus on mathematics. Therefore, proving that you have enough knowledge of mathematics is even more important than in the case of any other program. We measure this both by the level and amount of time you have taken math education, as well as your final grade.

• Are you applying before you have graduated? In the year before the final year of secondary school you will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics.
• Are you applying after you have graduated? You will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics on your final exam.

For a few secondary school systems, the specific requirements can be found below. Please note that this table is not exhaustive. If you want to be sure that you meet the math requirements, contact the admissions office, or submit an application! You will hear from us within a few weeks whether you meet the mathematics requirement, or what your options are for reaching the right level.

Econometrics and Operations Research is a program with a strong focus on mathematics. That's why it's very important to show that you have enough knowledge of mathematics. We measure this both by the level and amount of time you have taken math education, as well as your final grade.

• Are you applying before you have graduated? In the year before the final year of secondary school you will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics.
• Are you applying after you have graduated? You will need to have a passing grade for Mathematics on your final exam.

For a few secondary school systems, the specific requirements can be found below. Please note that this table is not exhaustive. If you want to be sure that you meet the math requirements, please contact the admissions office, or submit an application! You will hear from us within a few weeks whether you meet the mathematics requirement, or what your options are for reaching the right level.

A good knowledge of math is essential for being successful in the Bachelor’s programs in the field of Social Sciences. We therefore require successful applicants to have mathematics at the equivalent to Dutch VWO level. Alternatively, you are required to take (and pass) a mathematics course offered by our School during September and October. Specific requirements vary according to the educational system in each country but, generally speaking, you are required to have taken mathematics up to and including the last year of high school.

The Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences has a compulsory mathematics course in September and October of the first semester of the program. 

You will be exempt from this course if:

• you have taken mathematics as an examination subject in your final year of high school, and
• you received a passing grade, and
• your high school diploma is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma, or
• you are applying with GCSE and A levels (either UK or Cambridge International), and have taken GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above, or one of your A levels is Mathematics at grades A, B, C or D, or
• you have taken Maths Studies as part of the full IB diploma.

In all other cases, you will be required to follow (and pass!) the course. 

We will inform you about your exemption (or not!) from this course after you have registered your arrival at Tilburg University and have handed in your final diploma and list of grades.

Please note that the Tilburg University math course cannot be used for admission to other Dutch universities. For this reason, you will not receive a certificate at the end of the course.

Are you worried that you might not meet the mathematics requirement?  If you have followed maths up to and including the last year of your high school studies, we advise you to apply for admission.