🎯Master's Programs
Overview of master's programs you can pursue after the AI bachelor.
Most AI bachelor graduates continue with a master's degree. Here's an overview of your options.
Use welkemaster.nl to check which master's programs you're eligible for based on your specific bachelor's degree. Enter "BSc Kunstmatige Intelligentie, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam" and browse the results.
Getting into the VU MSc AI
Since 2025-2026 the VU MSc AI selects, on top of the regular admission requirements:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 7.0 (or international equivalent).
- A motivation letter and CV showing relevant knowledge and skills. Worth covering: relevant AI courses and projects, your bachelor thesis topic, your tentative MSc plan (track and electives), internships, work experience, publications.
A 7.0 GPA is a real bar. If you want to continue at VU, your grades matter from year 1 onwards.
AI Master's in the Netherlands
| University | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VU Amsterdam | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Natural continuation of the bachelor. Tracks in Cognitive Science, AI for Health, and more. Selective since 2025-2026, see above. |
| UvA | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Top-ranked in Europe. Core courses in ML, NLP, Deep Learning, Computer Vision. |
| TU Eindhoven | MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | Engineering-oriented, combining advanced DS and AI methods. |
| Utrecht | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Interdisciplinary (informatics, logic, cognition, philosophy). Selective, strong grades matter. |
| Groningen | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Research-oriented. Selection procedure includes reference letter and written report. |
| Maastricht | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Two intakes (Feb & Sep). |
| Radboud | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Also offers a Data Science and AI specialisation. |
| Tilburg | MSc Cognitive Science and AI | Combines cognitive science with deep learning and Bayesian modelling. Great if you leaned towards the socially oriented courses. |
Other Master's Options in the Netherlands
| University | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VU/UvA (joint) | MSc Computer Science | Joint degree between VU and UvA. |
| TU Delft | MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Technology | Focuses on AI + data management and engineering. |
| Leiden | MSc Computer Science (AI specialisation) | Focus on ML, optimisation, decision support. Pre-master's available. |
| Twente | MSc Computer Science | Specialisations in Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Technology. |
| VU | MSc Information Sciences | 1-year program. Generally accessible from an AI background. |
Related Fields You Can Pivot To
- Data Science at TU/e, Radboud, or TU Delft. Good overlap with the AI background.
- Cognitive Science / Neuroscience at VU (MSc Neurosciences, MSc Cognitive Neuropsychology Research). May require a GPA of 7.5-8.0+ and biology prerequisites.
- Computational Linguistics / NLP at UvA (within the AI master), Groningen, or Radboud.
- Philosophy of Neuroscience at VU, a unique interdisciplinary option.
- Bioinformatics at VU/UvA (joint program). Requires biology prerequisites.
- Business Informatics at Utrecht. May need bridging in IS-specific courses.
Prestigious International Programs
| University | Programs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich (Switzerland) | MSc CS, MSc Data Science | World-class. Very competitive. Low tuition (~CHF 730/sem). |
| EPFL (Switzerland) | MSc CS, MSc Data Science | Strong in ML, computer vision, NLP. Similarly affordable. |
| University of Edinburgh (UK) | MSc AI, MSc ML, MSc NLP | One of the oldest AI departments in the world. |
| UCL (UK) | MSc Machine Learning, MSc Data Science & ML | Strong math prerequisites. Tuition ~£35,000/year for internationals. |
| TU Munich (Germany) | MSc Informatics, MSc Data Engineering & Analytics | Low tuition. Strong industry connections. |
| KU Leuven (Belgium) | MSc Artificial Intelligence | Nearby, high quality, affordable for EU students. |
| MIT (US) | MEng in EECS | Extremely competitive. Integrates AI ethics and research (CSAIL). |
| Stanford (US) | MSc CS (AI specialisation) | Home to Stanford AI Lab (SAIL). Very expensive. |
| CMU (US) | MSc in AI, MSc in ML | Separate dedicated AI and ML master's. Top for robotics, ML, HCI. |
| U of Toronto / McGill (Canada) | MSc CS (ML focus) | Strong ML ecosystem (Vector Institute, Mila). |
Start thinking about this early
Seriously, start looking into master's programs by the end of your second year. Don't wait until Year 3 to figure this out.
If you're not sure whether you'll be admitted to a specific program, email them. Most of the time, even when the website says something vague like "admission is not guaranteed" or "will be assessed on a case-by-case basis," emailing the admissions board gives you a clear answer. More often than not, you'll find out you can get in. Maybe you need a specific minor, maybe a bridging course, worst case a short pre-master. But you won't know unless you ask. Don't be afraid to reach out. The earlier you do, the more time you have to adjust your minor or course choices accordingly.
Practical Tips
- Check welkemaster.nl first for a quick eligibility overview
- Email the admissions board of any program you're interested in but unsure about, don't just go by what the website says
- Choose your Year 3 minor wisely, if you want a CS master's, a CS-focused minor can fill gaps and make you eligible
- Technical constrained-choice courses (DSA, Databases, Automata) keep more technical master's options open
- Start early with applications for selective/international programs (deadlines are often in January for a September start)
- GPA matters for selective programs and international universities