Wageningen University and Research
Bachelor Data Science for Global Challenges
Wageningen, Netherlands
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,800 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-eu students | EUR 2601 - for eu-students
Key Summary
Are you passionate about (big) data, AI, algorithms, and programming?
Do you want to use data science to tackle real-world challenges?
Then our new bachelor’s programme Data Science for Global Challenges, starting in September 2025, is made for you!
In today’s world, data is a driving force, and its impact is only growing. During this programme, you’ll collaborate with top lecturers to develop innovative solutions for pressing global issues like food security, climate change, and healthcare. You’ll learn how to harness the power of data to create meaningful change and provide valuable insights for organisations worldwide.
With a strong data science foundation and a focus on global issues, you’ll be ready to make a real difference. The world needs data experts like you—are you in?
Why this programme?
- In this unique program, you will apply your science and technology knowledge to climate, health, and food security.
- You will build a strong foundation in data science and work with state-of-the-art tools to take your expertise to the next level.
- This program is offered bilingually (Dutch/English), preparing you well for a global career.
Study programme
The bachelor's programme Data Science for Global Challenges is a three-year programme, and includes 180 ECTS credits (60 credits per year). The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is an international system in which each credit represents around 28 hours of study.
The Wageningen University & Research academic year is divided into six teaching periods. Usually, the first six weeks of each period are devoted to classes and practicums; the seventh week is for private study, to prepare for the exams that are given in week 8.
Students take two subjects per teaching period: one morning subject and one afternoon subject.
The study programme follows 5 learning lines:
- Computer Science
- Statistics/Mathematics
- Domain of Global Challenges
- Electives
- Integration – Data Science for Global Challenges
Year 1
In the first year, you learn the broad data science basics (mathematics, statistics, computer science and data science) but also the basics of life sciences. Additionally, you learn the basics about applying this knowledge to better understand or solve global challenges in life sciences.
Year 2
The second year continues with life sciences and shifts towards more advanced data science and AI topics, and further integrates the domains. With the disciplinary grounding of the first year, the focus gradually shifts from understanding the domains and analysing problems to finding common ground and working on challenges and solutions.
Year 3
The first half of the third year allows students to broaden or deepen their scope by following a minor, choosing electives or partaking in an international exchange opportunity. The second half of the third year aims to integrate the different perspectives from the domains in an individual research project.
During the BSc Data Science for Global Challenges programme, you will learn to become a ‘bridge builder’ between the fields of data science and life sciences. You will develop data science knowledge and skills on the one hand, and learn the key concepts of life sciences on the other hand. To be able to interconnect the domains of agri-food, health and environment with data science will develop unique skills and the attitude of a bridge builder.
- You will be comfortable with speaking both the language of data scientists and life scientists.
- You will possess strong knowledge of both data science and AI quantitative methods and techniques, and disciplinary knowledge and skills. The depth of data science, AI and disciplinary knowledge may differ per student, depending on your own choices within the programme.
- You will be able to empathise with the interests and (ethical) concerns of life scientists in data science and the other way around (i.e. data scientists' interests and concerns in life sciences).
After completing your bachelor’s programme, you can opt for a master’s programme. You have direct access to a number of master’s programmes at Wageningen University & Research, such as Bioinformatics, Geo-information Science, Biosystems Engineering, en Data Science for Food & Health. There are also other master’s degrees in life sciences that are possible if you have taken certain electives.
Depending on your master’s choice, you can pursue a career as a data scientist, engineer, analyst, programmer, IT specialist, consultant, geo-data specialist, epidemiologist, or consumer researcher.