Applied Mathematics

Why does one car have more air resistance than another? How can the frequency of the electric power smart grid be kept constant under external disturbances?

Applied Mathematics involves the development and application of mathematical tools to analyse and design the dynamical systems required by modern technology. Mathematical modelling of the problems encountered plays a fundamental role, followed by numerical analysis, computer simulation, and controller design to make the systems behave according to the desired specifications. Interaction with other disciplines and with specialists in the fields of application is essential.

During your two-year Master’s programme you will be embedded in the Applied Mathematics research group of your choice. You will be supervised by staff during your research project, which can also take the form of an internship, for example within a company’s research division.

Three specializations

Systems and Optimization
Computational Mathematics
Statistics and Data Science

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Applied Mathematics

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .

Programme options

Computational Mathematics (specialization)

Systems and Optimization (specialization)

Statistics and Data Science (specialization)

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional

For an average of 20 weeks

Maximum of 60 EC

Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.

Internship: This programme offers you the opportunity to carry out a research project of a variable number of months at a company in the Netherlands or abroad, as part of your thesis. Our choice of industry partners ranges from large multinationals (such as Shell, Philips, Unilever) to dynamic small and medium enterprises in the Groningen area.

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Applied Mathematics

Job prospects

A Master's degree in Applied Mathematics opens up many job opportunities. During the Master's programme you will learn to think in a logical, systematic, and problem-oriented way within a multidisciplinary environment. When you have completed the programme, you will be able to apply mathematics to a technical problem and to work at the interface between theory and practice, skills that are highly valued by a wide variety of employers. You will find job opportunities in industrial companies, rese.

Job opportunities are available in industrial companies, research institutes, as well as in universities. Examples of companies looking for applied mathematicians include Gasunie, Philips, Stork, Shell, Tata Steel, KPN and small engineering bureaus. Examples of research institutes are the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR, the picture on these pages comes from the NLR), WL/Delft Hydraulics, KNMI and TNO.

You can start a university career by working as a PhD student, which means working for four years on a research project and writing a thesis. After having successfully defended this thesis, you will be awarded a PhD degree. Afterwards you can continue an academic career or start a career in industry.

Job examples

Universities
Research institutes
Engineering bureaus
Industrial companies

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Applied Mathematics

Previous education

A Dutch bachelor's degree in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics gives direct access. In case of other bachelor's or master's degrees, the Board of Admissions will decide if you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge. A special pre-master programme is available for holders of a relevant Dutch HBO Bachelor's degree. In case you have a Dutch bachelor's degree in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics which is not obtained at the University of Groningen, or a relevant Dutch HBO bachelor's degree, please contact the academic advisor.

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/(...)pply-msc/nl-diploma/

Other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/(...)plication/apply-msc/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. The Board may decide that you have to take supplementary courses or follow a bridging programme before being admitted.

Do you prefer an early decision on your request of admission? Don’t wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master’s programme (for a course start on 1 September).

If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:

Application - Decision:

1 December – 15 January

1 February – 1 March

15 March – 15 April

1 May - 15 June

Application deadlines

Type of student Deadline Start course

Dutch students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

15 October 2025 01 February 2026

EU/EEA students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

15 October 2025 01 February 2026

non-EU/EEA students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

15 October 2025 01 February 2026

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Applied Mathematics - Impressions of your Masters study

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Overview of Masters programmes - University of Groningen

		Applied Mathematics
		Applied Physics
		Artificial Intelligence
		Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences
		Biology
		Biomedical Engineering
		Biomedical Sciences
		Biomolecular Sciences
		Computational Cognitive Science
		Computing Science
		Ecology and Evolution
		Energy and Environmental Sciences
		Industrial Engineering and Management
		Marine Biology
		Mathematics
		MSc Astronomy
		MSc Mechanical Engineering
		Nanoscience
		Physics
		Systems and Control
		Accountancy and Controlling
		Applied Cognitive Neuroscience
		Arts and Culture
		Business Administration
		Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology
		Economic Development and Globalization
		Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
		Ethics of Education: Philosophy, History and Law
		Global Criminal Law
		History
		Human Movement Sciences
		Human Resource Management
		International Business and Management
		International Relations
		Literary Studies
		Marketing
		Media Studies
		Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment
		Philosophy, Politics and Economics
		Philosophy, Science and Humanities
		Population Studies
		Religion and Cultural Heritage
		Religion, Conflict and Globalisation
		Sport Sciences
		Sustainable Entrepreneurship
		Theory and History of Psychology
		Tourism Geography and Planning
		Voice Technology

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