Joint BSc in Data Science

Program 

This joint bachelor brings together the best of two universities, combining Tilburg University’s expertise in Econometrics, Business and Law with Eindhoven University of Technology’s expertise in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, and adding the expertise of both universities in Artificial Intelligence and Statistics. You will be taking courses at both universities.

• In the first year, you are introduced to the various Data Science core fields, like computer science and statistical analysis. You develop a mathematical base which you will build on during the rest of your studies. You also explore the main application domains and the broader social, ethical and economic setting of data science developments. Besides that, you complete your first Data Challenge, where you work in groups to analyze real data for real stakeholders.
• In the second year, you study the legal, mathematical, statistical, technical and business aspects of data research more in-depth. You determine part of your program yourself by selecting elective modules, which allows you to set the focus of your program. You will apply all your acquired knowledge and skills in two Data Challenges. 
• Entrepreneurship plays a greater role in the third year, which features courses such as Start-ups and Business Insights. There is a more extensive choice of electives, so that you can make sure the courses you choose provide the best preparation for the Master’s program you are planning to take. You complete the Bachelor’s program with a Bachelor's thesis.

Typical courses are:

• Data Challenges
  Learn how to set up, execute, and evaluate scientifically sound data analyses that are adequate for particular stakeholders (i.e., users, enterprise, and society) using available data sets.
• Programming
  Learn algorithmic techniques and the principles of code quality and apply these in writing programs and designing algorithms to analyze and visualize large datasets.
• Statistical computing
  Computational Statistics is the branch of statistics that heavily relies on Computer Science for dealing with very complex challenges. You will learn how you can use computer simulations to predict the outcomes of different strategies in a complex situation.

More on the program and courses

Study Data Science in Tilburg and Eindhoven

• This joint bachelor brings together the best of two universities, combining Tilburg University’s expertise in Econometrics, Business and Law with Eindhoven University of Technology’s expertise in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, and adding the expertise of both universities in Artificial Intelligence and Statistics.

• Data Science can only be exploited to its fullest potential by approaching it from multiple disciplines simultaneously. This multidisciplinary character makes our data science program unique in its kind.

• Data science will only be growing in importance, given the staggering growth of data every second of every day, and will give you great career opportunities.

A short impression of Data Science (video - 2:35 min)

What to expect when coming to Tilburg

• Why Tilburg University?
• Student life in Tilburg
• International student support
• Study in Holland

Beyond your Bachelor: Extracurricular Activities

Are you looking for an additional challenge? Your studies give you ample opportunity to develop personally and professionally.

• For the Data Challenges, for example, we always work with business and nonprofit organizations.
• You can also join the program’s study association, D.S.A. Pattern.
• Excellent students in this Joint Bachelor’s program are eligible for the honors programs of both universities.

Pursue a Master's degree

Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology’s collaboration in the field of Data Science has led to the creation of the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS). JADS offers a joint Master’s program in Data Science and Entrepreneurship. Graduates of the bachelor Data Science can also opt for other Master's programs. Some examples:

Career prospects

Because data science is important in many industries you can be employed in a wide range of companies and nonprofit/governmental institutions. Just some examples:

• Companies may want to know more about the purchasing behavior of their customers.
• The police uses big data to detect crime.
• Health care organizations share global data on rare diseases for research purposes.
• And data science start-ups develop all kinds of personalized and intelligent apps.

You can either choose to work as a data scientist within a company/organization, or decide to work as a data entrepreneur, running your own data science business.

Admission requirements

Dutch students can check their eligibility in the application procedure for Dutch students.

The admission requirements for this program for international students are, in short:

• You have a secondary school diploma which is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma. Examples of diplomas which are accepted are the International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate and most European high school diplomas which allow direct access to a university in your own country. 
• You need to prove your English language proficiency. Tilburg University accepts Academic IELTS (6.5 overall, minimum of 6.0 on individual parts), TOEFL (minimum score of 90 internet based), and Cambridge English test results: C1 advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 proficiency (formerly CPE). For both C1 and C2, we accept a score of A, B or C.
• Mathematics plays a very large role in the Data Science program. This means that besides having a secondary school diploma which prepares you for a research university, you must be able to prove that you have a sufficient level of mathematics.

Go to application and admission

Tuition fees for international students

Information about tuition fees

Monthly cost of living

Living in Tilburg is relatively inexpensive compared to other student cities in the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Utrecht. An indication for your monthly cost of living (including rent, food and drink, books, and insurance), of course depending on your lifestyle:

Related Bachelor's programs

• In line with using mathematics and statistics to optimize complex processes, and applying your analytical skills to tackle economic, societal, and organizational challenges, Econometrics and Operations Research may be of interest to you.
• Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence could also be a fit if you are interested in studying how intelligent systems work and in linking this to knowledge about the functioning of the human brain.