Master's Mathematics - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The language of science

A unique combination of pure and applied mathematics

This two year programme is divided into core courses, elective courses and seminars, and concludes with the Master’s project.

You’ll have the opportunity to specialise either in Pure or in Applied Mathematics, or to opt for the Educational specialisation to get your science teacher degree. Each specialisation has suggested tracks. Can’t decide? Don’t worry – you can switch tracks later on, and you’ll have plenty of freedom to choose your own study path.

In the specialisation Pure Mathematics you focus on one of the classical sub-fields of mathematics. Within this specialisation three tracks are offered, which correspond to fields in which mathematicians at VU Amsterdam do active research:

Algebra, Geometry and Number Theory
Analysis and Dynamical Systems
Probability and Statistics

In the specialisation Applied Mathematics you can choose one of the following tracks:

Biomedical Mathematics
Data Science and Optimization

Both tracks contain a mixture of courses laying mathematical foundations and courses that focus on specific applications.

Last but not least you can choose the Education specialisation. You’ll come away with a teaching certification for secondary education. You’ll not only become a specialist in your field but you’ll also get to share your passion and inspire the scientists of tomorrow.

The start dates of this programme are September 1^st and February 1^st.

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1st year
2nd year

First year

Depending on which track you decide to specialise in, during year one you’ll take a number of compulsory core and elective courses based on your chosen study path. Throughout the entire first year, all students take part in the weekly 'Introduction to the Master Mathematics'. This seminar is led by active mathematicians who will introduce you to the local research groups in your field of specialisation. You will also learn about possible thesis projects, practice giving advanced mathematical presentations, and experience what it means to be part of an active research community.

During the entire Master's programme, you can choose from 50+ courses in Mastermath – a nationwide programme offered jointly by the nine Dutch universities with a Master’s programme in mathematics. Over 25% of these courses are offered at the VU campus, and the rest elsewhere. The variety of choice is endless!

You can find all the electives and more information in the Study Guide.

Second year

In your second year, you can select electives relating to your chosen area of specialisation. You will continue choosing Mastermath courses. The last semester of your second year is dedicated to the Master’s project. This is either a research thesis under the supervision of a staff member, or an external internship at a company or research facility. If you choose an internship, you’ll have an on-location advisor as well as a supervisor from the Department of Mathematics. To complete your Master's project, you’ll write a thesis and present your results in a colloquium.

Are you interested in teaching? You can change the scope of your Mathematics Master's programme by choosing a specialisation on education. Choose this specialisation (only in Dutch) and receive a teaching certification for secondary education.

You can find all the electives and more information in the Study Guide.

Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines

Summary

Motivate & inspire students as a teacher in the STEM disciplines - This specialisation is taught in Dutch.

During the specialisation Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines, you will learn how to transfer your knowledge and motivate and inspire students in your field of study, whether it is Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. For computer science, there is another route: the one-year teacher training programme. The courses for this teacher training specialisation are taught in Dutch and your teaching qualification will be valid in the Netherlands.

As a teacher, you make an important contribution to the future of young people, society and education in the Netherlands. In our knowledge economy, specialists in the area of knowledge transfer are indispensable. With an abundance of jobs in secondary education, obtaining a teaching qualification guarantees job security and—flexibility—because in addition to being a teacher, you are also a scientist in your field.

The teacher training programmes at VU Amsterdam are unique because of their modular structure that is built around 20 themes (core practices). You will apply these teaching practices directly in the classroom, as you will be working in a school for more than 50% of your study programme. At VU Amsterdam, personal attention and individual guidance are top priority. You will have a mentor from VU Amsterdam and a workplace supervisor who is an experienced first-degree subject teacher.

With this specialisation, you will obtain a specialist Master's degree in a STEM discipline and a first-degree teaching qualification (eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid). This means that in two years, you will be qualified to teach both lower and upper secondary vocational education (HAVO/VWO) and pre-university education (VMBO) in the Netherlands. All teachers in the STEM disciplines are also qualified to teach the STEM elective NLT (Nature, Life and Technology).

The teacher training specialisation in the STEM disciplines starts every academic year in September and February, unless you are following a Master's programme in Ecology, Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or Biomedical Technology and Physics. Within these Master's programmes, you can only start the specialisation in September.

Second year

What makes you unique as a STEM teacher? We explore your strengths as a teacher while focussing on personal attention, customisation and guidance. You will follow an integrated programme, which includes a practical component (internship) in secondary education and didactic theory at VU Amsterdam. You will be taught general didactics related to core practices as well as specific subject-related didactics for your school subject. The theory is always applied and tested in practice at the school where you conduct your internship. You will start immediately with the practical component. Internships are arranged by VU Amsterdam.

You can find the complete course overview in the study guide.

Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines

Summary

Motivate & inspire students as a teacher in the STEM disciplines - This specialisation is taught in Dutch.
During the specialisation Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines, you will learn how to transfer your knowledge and motivate and inspire students in your field of study, whether it is Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. For computer science, there is another route: the one-year teacher training programme. The courses for this teacher training specialisation are taught in Dutch and your teaching qualification will be valid in the Netherlands.
As a teacher, you make an important contribution to the future of young people, society and education in the Netherlands. In our knowledge economy, specialists in the area of knowledge transfer are indispensable. With an abundance of jobs in secondary education, obtaining a teaching qualification guarantees job security and—flexibility—because in addition to being a teacher, you are also a scientist in your field.
The teacher training programmes at VU Amsterdam are unique because of their modular structure that is built around 20 themes (core practices). You will apply these teaching practices directly in the classroom, as you will be working in a school for more than 50% of your study programme. At VU Amsterdam, personal attention and individual guidance are top priority. You will have a mentor from VU Amsterdam and a workplace supervisor who is an experienced first-degree subject teacher.
With this specialisation, you will obtain a specialist Master's degree in a STEM discipline and a first-degree teaching qualification (eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid). This means that in two years, you will be qualified to teach both lower and upper secondary vocational education (HAVO/VWO) and pre-university education (VMBO) in the Netherlands. All teachers in the STEM disciplines are also qualified to teach the STEM elective NLT (Nature, Life and Technology).
The teacher training specialisation in the STEM disciplines starts every academic year in September and February, unless you are following a Master's programme in Ecology, Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or Biomedical Technology and Physics. Within these Master's programmes, you can only start the specialisation in September.
Second year
What makes you unique as a STEM teacher? We explore your strengths as a teacher while focussing on personal attention, customisation and guidance. You will follow an integrated programme, which includes a practical component (internship) in secondary education and didactic theory at VU Amsterdam. You will be taught general didactics related to core practices as well as specific subject-related didactics for your school subject. The theory is always applied and tested in practice at the school where you conduct your internship. You will start immediately with the practical component. Internships are arranged by VU Amsterdam.
You can find the complete course overview in the study guide.

A Master’s degree in Mathematics will set you up well for an exciting (international) career. Your analytical mind and problem-solving skills will make you a valuable asset for all kinds of employers.

Explore your future prospects

Do you have any questions about the curriculum of this programme?

If you have any questions regarding this Master's programme, please contact the master coordinator Thomas Rot by sending an email to: t.o.rot@vu.nl

Mathematics

Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines

Admission requirements Leraar Voorbereidend Hoger Onderwijs Bètawetenschappen

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Change your future with the Mathematics programme

Change your future with the Mathematics programme

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