Education Research Current Organisation and Cooperation NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar Energy in transition
Israël and Palestinian regions Women at the top Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

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 1st.

Facts and Figures

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

Change your future with the Computer Science programme

Change your future with the Computer Science programme

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
Student at the window, in the background office buildings of the Zuidas

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2024 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam