The programme
Our BSc Business Analytics integrates 3 important fields. Together they make up the international working environment of the business analyst. It is this distinctive combination that will make your degree stand out to future employers:
Analytics | including math, statistics, econometrics, operations research/optimisation, artificial intelligence; |
(Business) economics | including accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, marketing, strategy; |
Computer science | including programming, algorithms/data structures, databases, data mining, processing and retrieval as well as information systems and infrastructures. |
All courses are taught in English and combine theory and practice. You will work on exciting business cases and learn how to execute data science and business analytics projects from beginning to end. Although the focus differs significantly from that of our BSc Econometrics, you will share lectures and study groups in some parts of the programme.
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Year 1: develop a solid foundation
You will gain a basic understanding of how organisations work and interact with their environment. At the same time, you learn how to apply quantitative methods and techniques to analyse these processes and activities.
- Mathematics 1: Calculus (6 EC)
- Analytics for a Better World (6 EC)
- Probability Theory and Statistics 1 (6 EC)
- Microeconomics for AE (6 EC)
- Introduction to Programming (6 EC)
- Mathematics 2: Linear Algebra (6 EC)
- Finance for AE (6 EC)
- Probability Theory and Statistics 2 (6 EC)
- Business Law & Ethics for Business Analytics (6 EC)
- Introduction Data Science: Data Preprocessing (6 EC)
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Year 2: specialise in business analytics & develop entrepreneurial skills
You will acquire entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to develop a new company with a digital business component. You will also further develop your ability to model business problems in different fields of business, using analytic methods from data science, AI/machine learning and computer science.
- Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear Algebra and Real Analysis (6 EC)
- Algorithms and Data Structures in Python (6 EC)
- Operations Research: Deterministic Methods (6 EC)
- Machine Learning (6 EC)
- Management Consulting / Operational Excellence (3 EC)
- Econometrics 1 (6 EC)
- Operations Research – Stochastic Methods (6 EC)
- HR Analytics (6 EC)
- Accounting and Control (6 EC)
- Entrepreneurship Hackathon (6 EC)
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Year 3: customise your programme
In the 1st semester of your 3rd year you can choose from a number of options:
- Choose 5 electives from a list of Bachelor’s courses.
- Study a semester abroad.
- Do an internship.
- Take a minor programme in a completely different field.
Besides this, you take common courses:
- Text Retrieval and Mining (6 EC)
- Marketing Analytics (6 EC)
- Computer Systems and Engineering / Information and Data Management (6 EC)
- Bachelor Thesis and Thesis Seminar Business Analytics (12 EC)
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Thesis
Is there a particular recent development that sparks your enthusiasm or do you have a great business idea of your own? While writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant and valuable research.
Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed in order to graduate. Supervised by our researchers, you will follow a clearly defined path that will lead to your graduation with a Bachelor's degree.
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Analytics for a Better WorldPeriod 16
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Mathematics 1: CalculusPeriod 16
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Microeconomics for AEPeriod 26
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Probability Theory and Statistics 1Period 26
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Introduction to ProgrammingPeriod 36
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Finance for AEPeriod 46
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Mathematics 2: Linear AlgebraPeriod 46
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Business Law and Ethics for Business AnalyticsPeriod 56
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Probability Theory and Statistics 2Period 56
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Introduction Data Science: Data PreprocessingPeriod 66
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Algorithms and Data Structures in PythonPeriod 16
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Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear Algebra and Real AnalysisPeriod 16
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Machine LearningPeriod 26
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Operations Research - Deterministic MethodsPeriod 26
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Management Consulting - Operational ExcellencePeriod 36
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Econometrics 1Period 46
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HR AnalyticsPeriod 46
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Accounting and ControlPeriod 56
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Operations Research - Stochastic MethodsPeriod 56
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Entrepreneurship - HackathonPeriod 66
Student coaching
The transition from secondary school to university can be a major step. For this reason, you will receive intensive academic counselling as a 1-year student. You can also count on individual support during the rest of your studies.

Hi, I'm Melis! I'm a Bachelor’s student in Business Analytics from Turkey. Got questions about studying at the UvA? Get in touch.Chat with Melis
Your study week
Expanding your knowledge and at the same time developing your skills is key. That is why you will participate in a variety of teaching activities. Most of the courses are evaluated with one or more tests. This is usually a written examination, but it can also be an essay or presentation.
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Lectures
Lectures give an introductory overview into the course content. You will attend them together with your fellow students. You take notes and have the opportunity to ask questions.
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Seminars
During seminars you will discuss specific subjects from the lectures in small groups. Exercises and practice assignments will help you to become adept with the theory.
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Practicals
During practicals you learn how to work with various mathematical and statistical computer programmes.
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Self-study
During your study week, you spend time to study theory, and prepare lectures and seminars, exams or presentations.

In your 2nd year, you get the chance to acquire entrepreneurship knowledge and skills. Team-up with fellow students and develop a novel digital product. Do you have a solution for a major consumer problem? Or maybe you can help solve an important company issue? The 24-hour hackathon is a pressure cooker for exciting ideas to come to life. The event is part of the Entrepreneurship course where your goal is to successfully create a new company.
Additional options during your studies
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Minors and electives
At UvA there are all sorts of activities you can undertake during your university years to explore and develop your network, talents and skills.
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Honours programme
If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours programme. You take the Honours programme alongside your regular studies. Completion results in you graduating 'with honours': an internationally recognised qualification.
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Internships
During your Bachelor's programme, you could put your knowledge into practice by means of a work placement. Internships are not part of the programme, although they can be very useful.
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Studying a semester abroad
Studying abroad allows you to get to know a different culture, language and country, and we strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. We have made collaborative and exchange agreements with over a 100 universities abroad, enabling you to study there for a semester.
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Dutch language course
Are you interested in learning Dutch? There are different options to give you the opportunity to maximise your Dutch experience and prepare for your future job in the Netherlands.
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Study associations
Many of our students are members of a study association. It is fun and useful for your future career at the same time. Faculty student associations are a great way to meet fellow students and future employers. VSAE is the main study association where Business Analytics students gather and mingle among themselves and with other students. They organise study trips (abroad), career events, weekly debates, parties and receptions with drinks. Sometimes you can also purchase your textbooks and course syllabi at reduced rates.
Overview Study Associations
- Faculty student association Sefa
- International Student Committee (ISC, part of Sefa)
- International Student Network Amsterdam (ISN, part of Sefa)
- Study Association Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics and Operational Research (VSAE)
- Financial Study Association Amsterdam (FSA)
- Marketing Association Amsterdam (MAA)
- International study association (AIESEC)
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Student associations
Amsterdam has a thriving student community with many activities organised outside of the university’s grounds. You will find student associations focusing on networking, specific interests and sports. It is only at sororities and fraternities that you can expect an initiation ritual (hazing).
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Student participation
At university, you are entitled to make your voice heard and assess the quality of your own education. Students can participate in the discussion on the university's education policy in various ways, such as by joining the Programme Committee, the Faculty Student Council or the first-year focus group. You can also stand for election and dedicate your efforts to the programme and your fellow students.

Interactive Online Learning at UvA Economics and Business
During your Bachelor’s, you will experience an inspiring combination of both offline and online education. We work with a blended learning teaching method. By applying this method, you will be able to combine different types of learning into 1 approach and enjoy mastering knowledge at your own pace. During class there will be more time for in-depth analyses and interaction with your lecturer and peers.
Types of education
In this programme, you will find that in your education there’s a balance between innovative teaching methods and traditional forms. Writing an academic paper can be alternated by an online challenge. A peer-feedback assignments or a video recording with explanation can also be part of the teaching method.
Our Centre for Educational Innovation and our Teaching and Learning Centre are continuously working on improving our teaching methods. We take the interactions between students, teachers, and learning resources into account. In doing so, we hope to offer you the right combination of challenging, effective, and efficient education.