Use big data to tackle the big issues

Econometrics and Data Science

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If you choose to study Econometrics and Data Science, you’ll first get a broad and solid foundation in mathematics, programming and data science. Afterwards, you will be further trained in computer science, econometrics, machine learning and statistics. These are important tools in our data-driven society to analyze and understand, for instance, financial and economic data and to make predictions for such data.

For instance, how to design machine learning methods that ensure that all customers in the financial sector have fair access to financial services, regardless of their background? Thanks to super-fast computers the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has a large data set with hundreds of macroeconomic variables. Which traps are there when analyzing such big data and how to avoid them?

You will attend lectures covering theoretical concepts, engage in group assignments, analyze case studies, and gain firsthand experience with various companies. Your instructors are experts at the forefront of their respective fields, actively participating in research, and some also hold positions in the business sector when not teaching at the university. This dual involvement ensures that the program remains both relevant and up-to-date. The Econometrics and Data Science programme has been rated as a “topopleiding” (high-quality education) by the Keuzegids Universiteiten four years in a row. Kraket, our active study association, adds a fun social side to your programme, organizes careers events, invites representatives from large companies such as KLM, and even plans trips to companies abroad!

Are you curious about the differences between the bachelor's programmes in Econometrics and Data Science, Econometrics and Operations Research, and Business Analytics? Then check out this comparison chart!

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

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VU Summer Course for Prospective EOR/EDS Students

1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

In your first year you will receive a broad introduction to data science. You will develop your methodological skills in data analysis, linear algebra, probability, and statistics. You will receive an introduction to macroeconomics and to finance, and you will start learning how to program. You will also learn key skills such as academic writing and how to cite sources. Almost all the first-year courses for operations research and data science are the same, so it is easy to switch tracks if you discover you are more interested in operations research after having started.

Subjects

SAM Programme EOR
Analysis I
Introduction to Data Science
Introduction to Programming
Linear Algebra
Data Analysis 1
Macroeconomics I
Analysis II
Statistics
Finance I
Academic Skills: Probability and Inference

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Second year

Your second year will build on your core foundation. You will deepen your methodological skills when it comes to econometrics, computer science, and statistics. You’ll learn how to set up and structure a database, for example, and how to create and work with algorithms. You’ll deal with statistical models for multivariate data. Plus, you’ll study the ethical dilemmas behind using data. You’ll work on real-life case studies in small groups, in which you’ll use the data analysis techniques you’ve learned to develop practical solutions. You’ll also report on and present the results of your project, learning how to give and receive feedback.

Subjects

Data Structures and Algorithms
Econometrics I
Numerical Methods
Database Fundamentals and Applications
Data Science Practical
Multivariate Statistics
Econometrics II
Ethics
Data Science Methods
Data Science Project

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Third year

In your third year, you’ll broaden your horizons by choosing a minor – either within the faculty or outside it. Alternatively, you can study abroad at one of VU Amsterdam’s partner universities. In the second half of the year, you’ll follow in-depth courses on machine learning and multivariate econometrics, plus you’ll write a Bachelor’s thesis on a subject of your interest. For example: if a bank fails, what is the risk to other banks within the same financial system?

Subjects

Thesis Econometrics and Data Science
Econometrics III
Machine Learning for Econometrics and Data Science

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

1st year
First year

In your first year you will receive a broad introduction to data science. You will develop your methodological skills in data analysis, linear algebra, probability, and statistics. You will receive an introduction to macroeconomics and to finance, and you will start learning how to program. You will also learn key skills such as academic writing and how to cite sources. Almost all the first-year courses for operations research and data science are the same, so it is easy to switch tracks if you discover you are more interested in operations research after having started.

Subjects
SAM Programme EOR

Analysis I

Introduction to Data Science

Introduction to Programming

Linear Algebra

Data Analysis 1

Macroeconomics I

Analysis II

Statistics

Finance I

Academic Skills: Probability and Inference

Please consult the Study Guide for more information
2nd year
Second year

Your second year will build on your core foundation. You will deepen your methodological skills when it comes to econometrics, computer science, and statistics. You’ll learn how to set up and structure a database, for example, and how to create and work with algorithms. You’ll deal with statistical models for multivariate data. Plus, you’ll study the ethical dilemmas behind using data. You’ll work on real-life case studies in small groups, in which you’ll use the data analysis techniques you’ve learned to develop practical solutions. You’ll also report on and present the results of your project, learning how to give and receive feedback.

Subjects
Data Structures and Algorithms

Econometrics I

Numerical Methods

Database Fundamentals and Applications

Data Science Practical

Multivariate Statistics

Econometrics II

Ethics

Data Science Methods

Data Science Project

Please consult the Study Guide for more information
3rd year
Third year

In your third year, you’ll broaden your horizons by choosing a minor – either within the faculty or outside it. Alternatively, you can study abroad at one of VU Amsterdam’s partner universities. In the second half of the year, you’ll follow in-depth courses on machine learning and multivariate econometrics, plus you’ll write a Bachelor’s thesis on a subject of your interest. For example: if a bank fails, what is the risk to other banks within the same financial system?

Subjects
Thesis Econometrics and Data Science

Econometrics III

Machine Learning for Econometrics and Data Science

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

After the Bachelor’s programme, you can specialise by following a Master’s programme. When you graduate as an econometrician or a data scientist, you could work as a data analyst, statistician, trader, consultant or data scientist in large firms that use data analysis, forecasting or data-driven decision making, such as banks, consultancies, online retailers and tech companies.

Discover your future prospects