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Bachelor
Econometrics and Data Science
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The study programme

In the Econometrics and Data Science Bachelor’s we train you to use mathematical and statistical methods to help solve problems in society or in the business world. With your expertise you can advise organisations on the effect of economic policies. Or help businesses use extensive data analysis to shape their strategies. You will examine case studies and learn to work with advanced software. After the 2nd year, you can choose between 2 specialisations: Econometrics or Data Science.

The programme

The first 2 academic years of the BSc Econometrics and Data Science are in common with the Bachelor's programme in Actuarial Science. After the 2nd year you specialise in either Econometrics or Data Science.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Macroeconomics for AE
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 1: Calculus
    Period 1
    6
  • Microeconomics for AE
    Period 2
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 1
    Period 2
    6
  • Introduction Econometrics and Actuarial Science
    Period 3
    6
  • Finance for AE
    Period 4
    6
  • Mathematics 2: Linear Algebra
    Period 4
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 2
    Period 5
    6
  • Programming and Numerical Analysis
    Period 5
    6
  • Introduction Data Science: Data Preprocessing
    Period 6
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Life Insurance Mathematics
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear Algebra and Real Analysis
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 4: Multivariate Analysis
    Period 2
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 3
    Period 2
    6
  • Statistical Learning
    Period 3
    6
  • Econometrics 1
    Period 4
    6
  • Mathematical Economics 1
    Period 4
    6
  • Econometrics 2
    Period 5
    6
  • Empirical Project
    Period 6
    6
  • Restricted-choice electives
    Period 5
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Free-choice electives: Minor's programme/Studying abroad/Company Internship/Electives
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    30
  • Specialisation Data Science: Text Retrieval and Mining
    Period 4
    6
  • Specialisation Data Science: Time Series Analysis
    Period 4
    6
  • Specialisation Data Science: Reinforcement Learning
    Period 5
    6
  • Specialisation Data Science: Bachelor's Thesis and Thesis Seminar Data Science
    Period 5
    Period 6
    12
  • Specialisation Econometrics: Mathematical Economics 2
    Period 4
    6
  • Specialisation Econometrics: Time Series Analysis
    Period 4
    6
  • Specialisation Econometrics: Microeconometrics
    Period 5
    6
  • Specialisation Econometrics: Bachelor's Thesis and Thesis Seminar Econometrics
    Period 5
    Period 6
    12
Compulsory course
Elective
Specialisation
  • 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, a report, or a presentation.

    Lectures (8 hours)
    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.

    Also, you can expect guest lectures from experts working in a wide range of economic organisations and fields.

    Seminars (6 hours)
    During seminars you will discuss specific subjects from the lectures in smaller groups. Exercises and practice assignments will help you to become adept with the theory. There are two types of seminars, those with plenary sessions and the small scale groups where you will work individually.

    Practicals (2 hours)
    During practicals you learn how to work with various mathematical and statistical computer programmes. 

    Self-study (20 hours)
    During your study week, you spend time to study theory, go over lectures and seminars, and prepare for exams and presentations. 

  • Year 1: develop a solid foundation

    This year is all about your basic knowledge of mathematics, information science, probability theory, statistics and economics.

    • Familiarise yourself with the possible specialisations: Econometrics and Data Science (of the BSc in Econometrics and Data Science) and Actuarial Science (BSc in Actuarial Science, you take lectures together with students from this programme).
    • Examine case studies and learn to work with advanced mathematical and statistical software like R for programming.
  • Year 2: extend the foundation

    The 2nd year enhances your mathematical, statistical and research skills. You will start to apply these tools to econometrics and data science. You will take mandatory courses like Mathematical Economics, Econometrics 1&2 and Statistical Learning.

  • Year 3: extend your knowledge and specialise

    Specialisation

    In year 3 you will specialise and choose one of the 2 specialisations: 

    1. Econometrics
      If the government increases excise duties to raise the price of petrol, fewer people will use their cars. By modelling reality, econometricians attempt to prove such statements. These econometric models are used to forecast the economy and make recommendations on economic policy. There is a great demand for people with an understanding of economics who are capable of quantitative analysis and modelling. Econometrics trains people to do this.
    2. Data Science
      Nowadays firms collect enormous amounts of data, so here is a large demand for data scientists. This data contains valuable information to improve sales and profits. Contrary to econometrics, the focus is on doing predictions and not so much on understanding the underlying processes. Consequently, the emphasis is more on programming and finetuning tools than on the statistical background of the methods. Machine learning and AI are at the core of this track.

    First semester

    My Semester: customise your programme

    In the 3rd year you are offered the opportunity to design your own programme in the 1st semester. You can choose from a number of options:

    • Study a semester abroad; participate in the UvA Exchange programme.

    • Take a minor programme at the UvA or elsewhere. For the specialisations the chosen minor should be relevant and offer a valuable contribution to it.
    • Attend a special programme at the UvA: 3 compulsory courses plus an internship or 2 electives.
  • Thesis

    There is some coursework in semester 2 of year 3, but a large part will be devoted to conducting and reporting on your own research. Is there a particular recent development that sparks your enthusiasm or do you have a great idea of your own? Writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant research.

    Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed for your graduation. Under the supervision of our researchers, you will follow a clearly defined path that will lead to your graduation with a Bachelor's degree.

  • Watch the recording of the online information session
    Online information session Econometrics and Data Science
    Watch the online information session

    Learn more about the Bachelor's programme in Econometrics and Data Science and in Actuarial Science. Our Programme directors explain what you can expect of these challenging Bachelor's programmes. Additionally, our students share their experiences with this Bachelor’s, study association VSAE and student life in Amsterdam. 

Additional options during your studies

Experience the study

What is Econometrics and Data Science about and what will you learn?
What is Econometrics and Data Science about and what will you learn?
How much mathematics is there in Econometrics and Data Science?
How much mathematics is there in Econometrics and Data Science?
Real-life case: battle against hunger and poverty

The availability of satellite imagery makes it possible to estimate crop yields on the basis of weather conditions and crop growth. Machine learning techniques are used to transform the imagery to useful data, that would be hard to get otherwise. In this way particularly vulnerable populations can be identified, and help by NGO’s like the WFP can be effectively targeted. In the 2nd year of your Bachelor’s you will learn how to identify relevant characteristics in various data resources, and how to use these to make reliable estimates and predictions.

Responsibility, sustainability and ethics integrated to the curriculum

In this Bachelor's programme, you’ll learn how to use mathematics, probability and statistics to quantify (financial) risks and solve problems in society or the business world. Social issues increasingly play a role in this. The study programme therefore regularly covers topics such as sustainability, ethics and social responsibility. For example, you will learn how to research how many people choose more sustainable ways of travelling if fuel excise duty is increased.

How are these themes integrated into the curriculum?

Through practical assignments, you will directly apply the knowledge you acquire during your studies to current topics in the media and real business cases. These topics are often related to ethics, corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability. This starts in the 1st year in Introduction Econometrics and Actuarial Science and Introduction Data Science. Furthermore, there is an explicit focus on ERS themes in courses such as Mathematical Economics 1 and 2, Econometrics 1 and 2, and Empirical Project.

Throughout this 3-year programme, themes related to sustainability, ethics and corporate social responsibility will remain important topics. 

Copyright: UvA / Economie en Bedrijfskunde
Data analysis, programming and statistics suit me down to the ground. It's like doing extremely advanced puzzles. You can get stuck sometimes, but once I find that solution, I'm over the moon. Liselotte Siteur, student Econometrics and Data Science Read about Liselotte's experiences with this Bachelor's
Frequently asked questions