BSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Leiden, Netherlands
- The Hague, Netherlands
BSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Apr 2027*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,694 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Apply by 1 April 2027 (non-EU/EEA students) or 1 May 2027 (EU/EEA students).
** Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: EUR 2,771 per year (2027/2028).
Key Summary
About: You study a BSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Leiden University, combining computer science, mathematics, statistics, machine learning, cognitive science, and human–robot interaction. Teaching draws on LIACS and the Institute of Psychology research; you'll engage in research projects, develop programming, algorithmic and computational thinking skills, and choose interdisciplinary minors via the Leiden‑Delft‑Erasmus alliance.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as data scientists, machine learning engineers, AI consultants, business intelligence developers, or computer research scientists. You can enter industry across sectors or continue to a master's, including Leiden's Computer Science master with specializations in Artificial intelligence and Data science.
Are you interested in human cognition? Are you eager to understand AI, and how the technology works? In the bachelor Data Science & Artificial Intelligence you will develop a strong fundamental basis in computer science, mathematics and statistics combined to advanced machine learning, cognitive science and AI competence.
This programme is aimed at students who have a strong interest in programming, computer science, and have strong mathematical skills, as well as an interest in the human brain and information processing.
Why Data Science & Artificial Intelligence in Leiden?
- Computational thinking and data science: In Leiden we believe: a competent AI engineer, is first and foremost a skilled computer scientist. You will learn to understand how information is created, gain insights into algorithms and learn programming skills.
- Research University: Teaching is directly inspired by current research, students can participate in research projects, and they will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking and develop problem solving skills. Lectures will be given by research staff from LIACS (Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science), Institute of Psychology and Leiden University Centre for Linguistics.
What you will learn
The Bachelor's degree trains future computer scientists in the fields of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. When you graduate you will be ready for a range of career options. Students graduating from the bachelor’s programme can continue with a master’s programme in Computer Science in Leiden, or other AI or computer science master programmes at Dutch or international universities. Graduates will have developed key competencies in data science and AI. You will possess both theoretical knowledge as strong pratical skills. You will be able to work as a data scientist in a wide range of industries, or continue your study after achieving the Bachelor's programme.
How you will learn
The programme offers a balanced mix of theory and practice. Most courses include exercise classes in which students practice theory. For instance, they solve mathematical problems, or practice with programming assignments. The exercise classes take place in groups of 25 to 30 students and are led by student-assistants or more experienced teaching-assistants under supervision of the course lecturer. Assignments will be either individual or in groups of two or three students.
Career prospects
Examples of careers are:
- Data & AI specialists / analist / consultant / engineer
- Machine Learning engineer
- Data scientist
- Computer Research Scientist
- Business intelligence developer
Master's programme
You can also move on to a master's programme:
- Master Computer Science
- ICT in Business and the Public Sector
- Media Technology (after an interview, and with conditions)
- Statistics and Data Science
After completing a pre-master's programme
- Astronomy: Astronomy and Data Science
- Psychology
- Data or AI specialist
- Machine Learning engineer
- Data scientist
- Computer Research Scientist
- Business intelligence developer
Programme structure
The programme focuses on six learning trajectories: computational thinking, mathematical skills, basic AI, intelligent systems, cognition, and research skills.
First-year
The first year will give a thorough grounding in the mathematical foundation of data science and artificial intelligence. Mathematical support courses are needed to understand the core concepts of modelling and algorithms for implementing intelligence.
You will get familiar with the basis of logical reasoning and will be introduced to computational models, data science and artificial intelligence.
In addition, academic skills and methodology are an essential part of the first-year programme. Special attention is paid to social and ethical issues related to data science and artificial intelligence.
Second year
The second year is dedicated to further enrichment in some of the key areas of artificial intelligence and data science: search and decision-making, cognitive and behavioural data sciences, autonomous and multi-agent systems statistics, human-robot interaction, and machine learning. In addition, you will deepen your knowledge of computational models and algorithms.
Third year
Minor
Students can choose to follow a minor at Leiden University, Delft University or Erasmus University Rotterdam (LDE); follow electives offered by LIACS or study abroad.
Individual research project
The bachelor’s program is concluded with the research project (15 EC). Some students participate in existing research projects; other students do a more independent project in collaboration with one of the research groups.
Leiden University has a number of scholarship programs for international students. There are also a range of scholarships offered by Dutch governmental and EU organizations.
The Bachelor's degree trains future computer scientists in the fields of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. When you graduate you will be ready for a range of career options.
Careers
Graduates will have developed key competencies in data science and AI. You will possess both theoretical knowledge and strong practical skills. You will be able to work as a data scientist in a wide range of industries or continue your studies after completing the Bachelor's programme.
Examples of careers are:
- Data & AI specialists/analyst/consultant/engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data scientist
- Computer Research Scientist
- Business intelligence developer
Master's programmes
Students graduating from the bachelor’s programme can continue with a master’s programme in Computer Science in Leiden, or other AI or computer science master programmes at Dutch or international universities. Leiden offers a two-year master’s programme in Computer Science with 7 specialisations:
- Advanced computing and systems
- Artificial intelligence
- Bioinformatics
- Computer Science and Education
- Computer Science and Science Communication and Society
- Data Science: Computer Science
- Foundations of Computing
Is this the program for you?
- This program is aimed at students who have a strong interest in programming and computer science, as well as an interest in the human brain and information processing:
- Do you want to learn how to analyse information, detect patterns and relationships, and solve problems on a complex level?
- Do you have strong mathematical skills?
- Are you interested in the functioning of the brain, and in understanding and creating intelligent self-learning systems?