Bachelor's Computer Science - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Make computers work for us

Computer Science is everywhere and the possibilities are endless. This Bachelor programme provides you with knowledge of different aspects of computer science, such as programming, project work, mathematics, internet and network technology, and the social aspects of computers.

During the Bachelor Computer Science, you will:

Learn to speak and understand the language of computers;
Investigate the logic on which computers are based and gain insight into a variety of programming languages;
Learn how computer networks share information efficiently and securely;
Explore the nature of the interaction between computer and user;
Study the hardware of computers;
Delve into subjects such as linear algebra, software design, web technology, algorithms, intelligent systems, and databases.

There are seven areas of study during the programme:

Theory (15%)
Programming (15%)
Systems (15%)
Mathematics (15%)
Software (10%)
Data and AI (5%)
Other – research or academic skills (25%)

You will be taught by top lecturers with expertise from a variety of fields, such as Computer Systems and Security, Theoretical Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Bioinformatics. In addition, there are guest speakers from industry, and a thesis fair where you can get in touch with companies. This way, over the course of three years, you will gain a solid footing in the field.

Mathematics
The maths in the Computer Science programme partly builds on the Mathematics B you know from (Dutch) secondary school. Some examples:

In Logic & Sets, you will encounter functions and relations; new topics include propositional logic and predicate logic.
In Discrete Math & Calculus, you will encounter limits, continuous functions, and integrals; new topics include graph theory and combinational permutations.
Statistical Methods partly builds on secondary school mathematics, with topics such as probabilistics and hypothesis testing.

In other courses, such as Data Structures and Algorithms, Automata & Complexity, and the elective Logic & Modelling, you will be introduced to types of maths that you most likely did not encounter during secondary school.

Start date
The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

Facts and Figures

VU Bachelor's Day

Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November 2025

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1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

In the first year you are familiarised with the world of computer science. You work with your first programming language, learn about computer architecture and get acquainted with computational thinking. In the Web Technology course, you build your own website. In the second half of the year you study computer networks and logic. The year concludes with a project in which you program an application yourself, making use of everything you have learnt so far.

Students will have to spend approximately 200 euro per year for buying books. Students are expected to possess a laptop computer, running either Windows 10 or mac OSX, for participating in educational activities (approx. 200 euro per academic year).

Subjects

Computer Programming
English Language Test
Logic and Sets for CS
Data Structures and Algorithms for CS
Pervasive Computing
Web Technology
Computer Organization
Requirements Engineering
Computer Networks
Discrete Math and Calculus
Systems Programming Project

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Second year

In your second year you learn several more programming languages and you dive into linear algebra, static methods and algorithms. In the second block you learn more about computer operating systems. Other important themes are software design and, at the end of the year, a course on human-computer interaction: what makes a user interface user-friendly, and how do you design it? You also work on your professional skills and explore how to take advantage of the career opportunities available to you after your Bachelor’s degree.

Subjects

Object-Oriented and Functional Programming
Statistical Methods
Networks and Graphs
Operating Systems
History of Science for CS
Linear Algebra
Software Design
Databases

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Third year

In the first semester you choose a minor, such as Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Deep Programming, Data Science, or Web Services and Data. Alternatively, you might opt for a minor that trains you for a teaching career. You also investigate machine learning and explore the ethical side of information technology. Finally, you design and complete a Bachelor’s project. This is an individual project in which you delve into a topic of your own choosing and showcase what you have learnt during the Computer Science programme.

Subjects

Bachelor Project Computer Science
Automata and Complexity
Machine Learning
Philosophy and Ethics

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

1st year
First year

In the first year you are familiarised with the world of computer science. You work with your first programming language, learn about computer architecture and get acquainted with computational thinking. In the Web Technology course, you build your own website. In the second half of the year you study computer networks and logic. The year concludes with a project in which you program an application yourself, making use of everything you have learnt so far.
Students will have to spend approximately 200 euro per year for buying books. Students are expected to possess a laptop computer, running either Windows 10 or mac OSX, for participating in educational activities (approx. 200 euro per academic year).

Subjects
Computer Programming

English Language Test

Logic and Sets for CS

Data Structures and Algorithms for CS

Pervasive Computing

Web Technology

Computer Organization

Requirements Engineering

Computer Networks

Discrete Math and Calculus

Systems Programming Project

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.
2nd year
Second year

In your second year you learn several more programming languages and you dive into linear algebra, static methods and algorithms. In the second block you learn more about computer operating systems. Other important themes are software design and, at the end of the year, a course on human-computer interaction: what makes a user interface user-friendly, and how do you design it? You also work on your professional skills and explore how to take advantage of the career opportunities available to you after your Bachelor’s degree.

Subjects
Object-Oriented and Functional Programming

Statistical Methods

Networks and Graphs

Operating Systems

History of Science for CS

Linear Algebra

Software Design

Databases

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.
3rd year
Third year

In the first semester you choose a minor, such as Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Deep Programming, Data Science, or Web Services and Data. Alternatively, you might opt for a minor that trains you for a teaching career. You also investigate machine learning and explore the ethical side of information technology. Finally, you design and complete a Bachelor’s project. This is an individual project in which you delve into a topic of your own choosing and showcase what you have learnt during the Computer Science programme.

Subjects
Bachelor Project Computer Science

Automata and Complexity

Machine Learning

Philosophy and Ethics

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

After earning a Bachelor of Computer Science degree you can specialise further by following a master’s degree programme. Alternatively, you can join the the workforce, as a software engineer or consultant at a large company, as an independent entrepreneur, or as an ethical hacker employed by the government.

Explore your future prospects