Mathematics requirements

Some programs require applied or advanced knowledge of math, because math and statistics play a role in the program.

Mathematics requirements only apply for the following Bachelor’s programs:

Depending on the program you are applying for, different math requirements apply

Read the descriptions below to find out which situation applies to you.

Economics | International Business Administration

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.

Diploma (country)	Math requirement
International Baccalaureate	Current IBA Maths curriculum: Mathematics standard level New IB Maths curriculum: Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation HL
European Baccalaureate	Mathematics three hours per week in final two years
Belgium	At least four hours a week in final two years
Bulgaria	Grade 5 or higher
Germany	Grundkurs (Abiturfach)
Ireland	Mathematics HL with grade A, B or C (until 2017) or H1-H4 (from 2017)
Surinam	Mathematics 1 or 2 in final exams
United Kingdom	A-level (GCE) / Advanced Higher (SQC)
French Baccalauréat	Série S, Série ES
Netherlands	VWO: Wiskunde A; HBO-Propedeuse (the first year of a university of applied sciences): Wiskunde A certificate; Training courses and exams can be taken, for example at the Boswell-Beta Institute. Foreign students who do not meet the math requirement can also make use of the training courses and exams offered by the Boswell Institute

Data Science

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.

Diploma (country)	Math requirement
International Baccalaureate	Mathematics HL or, in the new IB Maths curriculum: Mathemetics: Analysis & Approaches HL
European Baccalaureate	English + Mathematics (5 periods/weeks)
Abitur (Germany)	LK Mathematik
American high school with Advanced Placement Tests (USA)	Calculus A/B or B/C
ASO (Belgium)	One of the following profiles: - Grieks-wetenschappen - Latijn-wetenschappen - Moderne talen-wetenschappen - Wetenschappen-wiskunde - Latijn-wiskunde - Grieks-wiskunde - Moderne talen-wiskunde - Wetenschappen-sport
Baccaulauréat Serie S (France)	You can be admitted to Data Science on the basis of a French Baccaulaureat, serie S. Please note, we require proof of English proficiency.
GCE/A-certificates (United Kingdom)	Mathematics: A2/A (score A, B or C) Please note that in total three A levels are required at A2/A level. AS level is insufficient.
VWO Surinam	Engels, Wiskunde 1
All India SSCE of the CBSE	You are eligible for admission if you hold a Standard XII diploma (academic stream) All India Senior School Certificate (by the CBSE/CISCE): - with Mathematics as mandatory subjects with the following scores: A (A1, A2) AND - 4 other examination subjects with grades A (A1, A2) or B (B1) AND - you fulfil the Proficiency requirements in English.
Netherlands	VWO: Wiskunde B; HBO-Propedeuse (the first year of a university of applied sciences): Wiskunde B certificate; Training courses and exams can be taken, for example at the Boswell-Beta Institute. Foreign students who do not meet the math requirement can also make use of the training courses and exams offered by the Boswell Institute.

Econometrics and Operations Research

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.

Diploma (country)	Math requirement
International Baccalaureate	Current IB Maths curriculum: Mathematics higher level (exceptions can be made for candidates with standard level math and a very strong grade + motivation) New IB Maths Curriculum: Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL (exceptions only assessed on a case-by case basis)
European Baccalaureate	Mathematics five hours per week in final two years
Belgium	At least four hours a week in final two years
Bulgaria	Grade 5 or higher
Germany	Grundkurs (Abiturfach)
Ireland	Mathematics HL with grade A, B or C (until 2017) or H1-H4 (from 2017)
Surinam	Mathematics 1 or 2 in final exams
United Kingdom	A-level (GCE) / Advanced Higher (SQC)
French Baccalauréat	Série S, Série ES
Netherlands	VWO: Wiskunde B; HBO-Propedeuse (the first year of a university of applied sciences): Wiskunde B certificate. Training courses and exams can be taken, for example at the Boswell-Beta Institute. Foreign students who do not meet the math requirement can also make use of the training courses and exams offered by the Boswell Institute.

Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

You must have sufficient knowledge of mathematics, equal to the Dutch VWO mathematics A or B level.

The following suffice:

International Baccalaureate: Mathematics Standard or Higher Level.
British GCE A-Levels: A-level in Mathematics. At least grade A,B or C.
Germany: Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife, including Mathematics as Grundkurs.
European Baccalaureate: Mathematics; written or oral examination, at least 4 hours during the Orientation Cycle.

Psychology | International Sociology | Global Management of Social Issues | Human Resource Studies: People Management

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. 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.
Alternatively, you are required to take (and pass) a mathematics course offered by our Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in September and October of the first semester of the program.

You will be exempt from this mathematics 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 the new IB maths curriculum, all Maths levels will be accepted.

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.

You cannot identify your situation in the tables above?

Are you worried, or uncertain if you meet the mathematics requirement?

We advise you to always apply for admission to the program. This is the best way to check whether you meet the math requirements. The admissions officer can also tell you what you can do to work on this.
You may need to take an additional math exam that is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma standard (Wiskunde A). Trainings and exams are taken for example at the Boswell-Beta Institute.

Mathematics requirements