Econometrics and Operations Research

You qualify for admission:

• If you hold an International/European Baccalaureate (including Maths Higher or Maths Standard/Methods and English);

• If you hold a secondary school or pre-university diploma from an EEA country that grants admission to a Business Studies programme at a university in your own country (including equivalents of the IB/EB Maths Higher or Maths Standard/Methods and a proof of English language skills);

• If you hold a secondary school or pre-university diploma from a non-EEA country, your diploma will be compared with the Dutch University Preparatory Certificate (VWO) and the IB/EB.

Students with deficiencies with regard to Maths and/or English may be asked to take a Maths entrance examination and/or a recognized English language ability test such as TOEFL or IELTS. You need a TOEFL score of at least 580 for the written version, 240 for the computer version, 92 for the internet version, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or Cambridge Certificate Advanced English A, B or C.

Application:

You can apply online, please go to www.rug.nl/howtoapply

Applications are assessed on an individual basis by the admissions office. The deadlines are:

• 1 December for applicants who wish to apply for a scholarship
• 1 May for non-EEA nationals (requiring a visa to enter the Netherlands)
• 1 June for all other students

In the first year you take lectures in the five subjects mathematics, statistics, economics, IT and modelling.

With the help of modelling, you begin to understand how economics, mathematics and statistics can be translated into practice.

With IT being an indispensable tool for your studies, you learn to use software packages that can translate techniques for solving problems into a form that the computer can process as well as working with computer simulations that run models on the computer.

Economics, of course, also forms part of the programme: microeconomics looks at decisions by individual economic 'subjects', such as an individual consumer or producer. Here the focus is on the functioning of markets and how price-making forces operate.

In the first half of the third year, you will receive introductory and the first in-depth courses in the four majors: mathematical economics, econometrics, actuarial studies and operations research.

In the final year you supplement your major with courses from the Faculty of Economics and Business and other faculties and put together a programme of study that closely matches your own interests. You could choose to specialize still further, or to expand your horizons.

And of course after your Bachelor's degree you can study the master Econometrics, operations research and actuarial studies.

Econometrists have a broad-based qualification and are therefore very versatile, working in diverse fields, both at home and abroad. After the Bachelor's degree, most students continue their studies, selecting a Master's programme that matches their interests. The jobs mentioned here all presuppose that you have completed a Master's degree in the Faculty of Economics and Business.

Econometrists have a range of options in the business world. Many find jobs in the fields of finance, insurance, marketing logistics or market research. Some examples are: financial expert at Shell, market researcher at Philips, logistics manager for the Dutch railways or insurance expert for Achmea. Furthermore non profit organizations like trade unions, consumer organizations or consultancies need econometrists.

Other econometrists find a job with the government working on economic and social problems. They frequently work with one of the ministries, such as Economic Affairs or Social Affairs. They are researching economic problems for the Ministry in development projects.

Some qualified econometrists choose to carry out academic research after their studies. To do academic research at a university, you have to gain a place as a PhD student. This will allow you to conduct independent research that leads to a doctorate (the title of dr). In addition, you will undertake further study and give lectures to students.

Bachelor of Science in Econometrics and Operations Research

Tuition fees for 2010-2011:

For EU/EEA students: Approx. EUR 1,620 per year
For non-EU/EEA students: Approx. EUR 6,800 per year

Study at the University of Groningen: a highly reputed European university!

Founded in 1614 the University of Groningen is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and enjoys an international reputation as one of the leading research universities in Europe. It is a university with a modern, student-oriented vision on education and a wide range of high-quality degree programmes that covers the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. Utilizing its heritage to generate innovation the University of Groningen combines research and knowledge with an interdisciplinary approach.

The dominant principle at the university is permanent and systematic quality improvement, both in education and research and the school's degrees have all been accredited by the Dutch Government as well as being internationally acknowledged.

All students are offered balanced educational packages in diverse subject areas and the university also provide space for the personal ambitions and qualities of students. As a student at the University of Goningen you can make use of the top class computer facilities, high-speed access to e-mail and internet as well as an online student support system.

The University of Groningens have libraries that contains more than three million titles, over 15,000 periodicals and an online electronic library as well as a Language Centre that offers courses in many languages at various levels. The school's very own sports centre is open 7 days a week, offering a large selection of both indoor and outdoor activities and the student societies are there for students to socialise and meet likeminded people. For creative minds there is the cultural centre's theatre, exhibitions and various courses providing high quality entertainment and training options.

Facts & Figures of the University of Groningen:

• 26,700 students (October 1, 2009)
• 6,000 first year students (October 1, 2009)
• 4,691 fte staff
• 364 fte professors
• 1,500 PhD students
• 60 Bachelor's programmes, 115 Master's programmes
• 75 English-taught Master's programmes, of which 10 Double Degree programmes
• 8 English-taught Bachelor's programmes
• 16 Research Masters
• 9 faculties, 9 Graduate Schools
• Turnover: 550 million