Bachelor's Computer Science - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Make computers work for us

Computer Science is everywhere; the possibilities are endless.

How do you identify a potential weakness in a computer network? What are the options when it comes to sustainable and energy-conscious software? How do you ensure that an application is user-friendly?

Information technology (IT) is everywhere and provides us with an unprecedented range of possibilities. In essence, computer science is about how humans interact with information and the role computers can play in this regard. Consider health apps, public transport information systems, minuscule hearing aids and self-learning robots.

During the Bachelor of Computer Science programme, you will learn to speak and understand the language of computers. You will investigate the logic on which computers are based and gain insight into a variety of programming languages. You will learn how computer networks share information efficiently and securely, and explore the nature of the interaction between computer and user. You will study the hardware of computers, but also subjects like linear algebra, software design, web technology, algorithms, intelligent systems, and databases.

You will be taught by top lecturers and guest speakers from the industry, as well as visiting companies regularly to look behind the scenes. This way, over the course of three years, you will gain a solid footing in the field. From the development of self-driving cars to the protection of sensitive data, there are countless ways in which you can make a valuable contribution to the fascinating world of IT.

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

Facts and Figures

International Bachelor’s webinar

Stream the on-demand recording on admissions, housing and more

Watch now via My Study Choice

International applications

Want to know if you can be admitted?

Check your eligibility

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