Are you interested in human cognition? Would you like to learn how to program and develop smart computers and systems? Are you eager to understand AI, and how the technology behind it works? In the bachelor's programme Data Science & Artificial Intelligence you gain a solid basis in computer science and mathematics. You are going to study how to get insights from data and how to build smart machine capable of performing complex tasks. This requires human intelligence in order to provide useful applications for society.

The focus of this programme is on computer science, and its applications in Artificial Intelligence. You will receive a strong basis in mathematics, statistics and computer science, combined with advanced knowledge of machine learning, cognitive science and human-robot interaction. Additionally, you will learn to develop and program systems based on knowledge of the human brain. 

The first year gives a thorough grounding in the mathematical and formal foundation of data science and artificial intelligence. Mathematical support courses are needed for understanding the core concepts of modelling and algorithms. Special attention is paid to social and ethical issues related to data science and artificial intelligence.
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 science, autonomous and multi-agent systems, statistics, human-robot interaction, and machine learning. In addition, students deepen their knowledge in computational models and algorithms.
The third year consists mostly of electives and the bachelor’s project. Students can be assigned to research groups at the institute, and can follow a minor at Leiden University, Delft University of Technology or Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The knowledge with a Data Science & Artificial Intelligence diploma can be used to make computers and systems function in better ways and is used in many sectors: for example in business, where machine learning chatbots are used in customer service, in the production of automated news messages or in healthcare where automation ensures accurate diagnoses. Examples of careers in data science & artificial intelligence are:

• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Business Intelligence Developer

Students with a Dutch VWO diploma with Mathematics B (preferably within the VWO profile Nature & Technology or Nature & Health) are admitted directly to the bachelor's programme, after completing the compulsory matching activity. International students should have an equivalent of a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma with a comparable level on Mathematics. The equivalent of Dutch VWO Mathematics can be acquired through:

• Having obtained the passing grade for the Online Mathematics Placement Test (OMPT-D);
• Having obtained the mathematics B certificate of Boswell Beta at the Boswell-Bèta Institute;
• For the mathematics requirements for the most common diplomas, see the document at the admission requirement page on our website: universiteitleiden.nl/admission-and-application.

Location: Leiden