How can you develop an autonomous car? How can you teach a computer to recognize speech or even emotions? How can software and devices be aligned to the way humans think?
In the international Bachelor's degree programme in Artificial Intelligence you will study existing intelligence as we see it in the world and develop 'intelligent' and user-friendly products.
This international degree programme focuses on human thinking, artificial thinking (computers, robots) and behaviour in social systems (e.g. group behaviour). You will study the underlying processes in order to predict or simulate intelligent behaviour.
Interdisciplinary curriculum
Artificial Intelligence draws on knowledge from various disciplines, such as cognitive psychology, linguistics, data science, computing science, logic and philosophy, and teaches you to apply this knowledge in smart digital systems. You will develop skills in these areas in the first year, after which you deepen your knowledge in the subdiscipline you prefer, such as machine learning, robotics or cognitive science.
Programming and mathematics are an important part of the programme because these are the foundations for building and simulating new intelligent systems. Do you already know how to program? Then you can build on that in your first year. Do you lack programming experience? Then you’ll have to work harder to get up to speed.
Translating knowledge into practical applications
There are many applications in which intelligent and usable technology are indispensable. For example, in the chatbot on your bank’s website for the prediction of electricity use in households or how full the train will be. Artificial intelligence is also applied in research in other disciplines. Researchers working on the Dead Sea Scrolls have extracted new secrets about the writers of these ancient handwritten manuscripts.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (5 EC) | ||||
| Introduction to Neuroscience (5 EC) | ||||
| Calculus for Artificial Intelligence (5 EC) | ||||
| Imperative Programming (for AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Autonomous Systems (5 EC) | ||||
| Introduction to Logic (AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Algorithms and Data Structures (AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Cognitive Psychology (5 EC) | ||||
| General Linguistics (5 EC) | ||||
| Fundamental Artificial Intelligence (5 EC) | ||||
| Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Knowledge and Agent Systems (5 EC) | ||||
| Object-Oriented Programming (for AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Scientific Skills (5 EC) | ||||
| Architectures of Intelligence (5 EC) | ||||
| Introduction to Machine Learning (for AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Signals and Systems (for AI) (5 EC) | ||||
| Advanced Logic (5 EC) | ||||
| Natural Language Processing (5 EC) | ||||
| Philosophy of AI and Cognition (5 EC) | ||||
| Applied Machine Learning (5 EC) | ||||
| Data Analytics and Communication (5 EC) | ||||
| Ethics in Artificial Intelligence | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Agent Technology Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Cognitive Modelling Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| AI Engineering Practical (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Knowledge Technology practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Language Technology Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Reinforcement Learning Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Computational Methods in Neuroscience Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Social Robotics Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Bachelor's Project (15 EC) | ||||
| Interaction Design Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Robotics Practical (5 EC, optional) | ||||
In the first year you will acquire knowledge of the most
important disciplines for artificial intelligence. In the second
year you will start connecting these disciplines and applying your
knowledge. Later in the programme, there is room to deepen your
knowledge in the areas that most interest you in practicals (15
ECTS) and electives (30 ECTS). You will round off your bachelor's
degree with a small research project (15 ECTS), which you will
complete under supervision of a researcher in the field of
Artificial Intelligence at the Bernoulli Institute.
You can find a complete overview of all courses on:
https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/56981
Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.
wiskunde A of wiskunde B
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| language test |
Language proficiency certificate for English (except for applicants with a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) as well as the exemptions listed on the language exemptions webpage). More information: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Before you apply! When you cannot fulfil the vwo requirement, due to deficient profile or if you want to be admitted on the basis of a successfully passed first year of HBO or colloquium doctum, you need to submit an additional admission request via the Admission Board Bachelor programmes. Please go to this website for more information. |
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Although the advice is not binding participation is compulsory. More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
Please note: for your application in Studielink, please choose the option without the 'Numerus fixus programme' label.
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Although the advice is not binding participation is compulsory. More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Secondary education equivalent to Dutch pre-university (vwo) is required. A list of qualifications that are considered equivalent to pre-university education in the Netherlands can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/contact/ |
| additional subject |
Sufficient background knowledge in Mathematics is required. The Admissions Board will determine whether your background knowledge in this subject is sufficient to start the Bachelor's degree programme of your choice. |
| language test |
You will need to submit proof of English proficiency in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Please find our English language requirements (exemptions, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and more) on this page: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-bsc/language |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
Please note: for your application in Studielink, please choose the option without the 'Numerus fixus programme' label.
A degree in Artificial Intelligence equips you for a wide range of fields, precisely because your knowledge is so broad and you can approach matters from various perspectives. You can also communicate well with specialists from different disciplines. That makes you highly employable in companies and organizations. You will have broad knowledge and a logical reasoning ability… therefore excellent career prospects!
Finding work when you graduate
Many graduates find suitable jobs in the business sector in the Netherlands or abroad, or set up their own business. Once they have their Bachelor's degree, most students choose a related Master's programme in Artificial Intelligence or Computational Cognitive Science.
If you choose Artificial Intelligence you can work at institutions that work with large data files, like hospitals or banks. You can also find a job at research and development departments of multinationals and build autonomous systems. When you go for Computational Cognitive Science, you can become a cognitive ergonomist and develop software and devices.
With your Master's degree you are employable in companies that produce software or devices. Among other things, your work will involve making these as user-friendly as possible. Students usually find an interesting job related to their study shortly after graduation. Examples of companies our graduates currently work at are: Accenture, Ethical Hacker, TNO, Deloitte, Educational game researcher, Nederlands Forensisch Instituut, ORTEC, KPN Consulting, Achmea, en Almende.
The mission of the Bernoulli Institute is to perform outstanding academic research and teaching in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, and to maintain international leadership herein; to foster these disciplines as a living body of knowledge, and to make it relevant to society in its broadest sense.
The symbiosis between pure and applied science, and between mono- and multidisciplinary research and teaching, is a distinguishing characteristic of our institute. As an important part of this mission we aim to transfer our results to other areas of science and technology, and initiate and expand inter- and multi-disciplinary research collaborations.
The following research groups within the Bernoulli Institute focus on Artificial Intelligence:
Autonomous Perceptive Systems
Cognitive Modeling
Multi-Agent Systems
