This dataset contains the metadata of the three datasets used in the research study "The effect of a general versus narrow undergraduate curriculum on graduate specialization: The case of a Dutch liberal arts college" (DOI:10.1002/curj.158). The datasets include academic performance and personal background data of two groups of students enrolled in three MSc programmes at Maastricht University: Dataset 1: International Business at the SBE; Dataset 2: Psychology at FPN; Dataset 3: Research Master in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at FPN. The data included in these three datasets is as follows: - Type of undergraduate education (1 = UCM degree; 0 = specialized bachelor's); - Dropout status (1 = dropped out; 0 = graduated); - Master GPA (10-point scale); - Thesis grade (10-point scale); - Bachelor GPA (10-point scale); - Duration of master's studies (in years); - Age (at the time of first registration); - Gender (1 = female; 0 = male); - Academic semester of first enrolment (1 = February; 0 = September)*; - Academic year of first enrolment; - Specialization track; - Type of specialization track (1 = narrow/basic science tracks; 0 = broad/more applied tracks)**. * only included in Dataset 1 ** only included in Dataset 1 and Dataset 2