What master did you do? And where?
Data Science: Business and Governance at Tilburg University.

Were there any admission requirements?
For me, there were no admission requirements. I went to the master directly from the bachelor CIS. As far as I know, you have to do a pre-master when you did higher professional education before, and possibly when you did an academic study that has too little overlap with Data Science.

Why did you choose this master?
I chose this master, because I did a course in my bachelor about computer programming (Seminar Data Processing) and I thought it was very interesting. Thereafter, I searched for more information about it and by chance a new master Data Science started that year. For me it was a logical decision to choose this master. Besides that, I didn’t know yet what other CIS master was interesting and finally, the improved job opportunity contributed to my choice.

What courses did you do?
I did the following courses:
• Data Science Regulation & Law (620087)
• Research Skills: Data Processing (880254) – I already did this course in the bachelor, but it is compulsory in the master Data Science
• Social Data Mining (880022)
• Research Skills: Text Mining (880091)
• Governance and Policy making (620089)
• Research Skills: Statistical Programming with R (880256)
• Business Analytics and Emerging Trends (320091)
• Research Skills: Data Processing Advanced (880082)

Did you live in a dorm?
I already lived in Tilburg during the bachelor.

How did you like it?
At the moment that I am writing this, I’m midway the master, but I like it. You learn practical skills that you can use later on (programming languages and specific programs) and theoretical background from company and law perspectives too. I think it’s a lot more fun than the ‘normal’ CIS master; it actually does not have a lot to do with communication. Therefore, I always say that I study Data Science, not communication. In the CIS bachelor, I often thought that it was interesting, but I didn’t have any idea what I would have to use when I had a job.

Was is hard to switch?
I think, Data Science is harder than other CIS masters. The difference in level with the bachelor is clear too. You have to keep up your work every week, otherwise you will drop behind. The speed some professors maintain in the lectures is very high too. With the programming courses, I had the benefit that I had a little bit of experience with it. Some people who did other bachelors, had a tough time during the courses.

Did you know someone else who did this master?
I knew someone who I knew because of Flow and the study. We often do projects together, that is easier and more fun. Besides that, you get to know other people spontaneously when you are discussing projects. I’m also not a person who finds it hard to do things alone. That could have helped too, I was never afraid of it.