MASTER OF
SCIENCE
ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING
1 | Electrical Engineering
INTRODUCTION
MASTER ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING
Would you like to expand your knowledge of design, analysis and research with regard to innovative electrical
engineering systems? Do you see designing, developing and producing electrical and electronic systems and
processes as an exciting challenge? The Master’s in Electrical Engineering at the University of Twente (UT)
challenges you to develop new methods and technologies for high-tech electronics-based systems in
nanotechnology, electronics, power electronics, radio or biomedical systems and make the next step to our all
future.
FOCUS AND DISCIPLINES
CAREER PERSPECTIVES
The Master’s in Electrical Engineering teaches you how
modern technology can be used to further enhance,
accelerate or scale down electronics-based systems. It will
provide you with skills and expertise that you can apply in
nearly all fields of technology. You will be challenged to
improve high-tech systems with an emphasis on themes
such as sustainability, health and safety.
The Master’s in Electrical Engineering provides you with the
knowledge and skills you will need to be successful in
almost any area of technology. It is an innovative
engineering discipline in which you will develop new
methods and technologies. Electrical engineers are highly
employable, largely because their training encompasses a
branch of science rather than focusing on a specific
profession. Many of our graduates start their careers in R&D
departments at companies such as Philips, ASML, NXP,
Demcon and Thales, but also with SMEs.
RESEARCH AND SPECIALISATION
Our research focuses on many areas, ranging from
nanoelectronics integrated circuit design/architecture to
power electronics and biomedical applications. You can
tailor a large part of the programme to suit your own
personal interests (ranging from technical to managerial
aspects).
QUICKFACTS
Degree
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering CROHO
Faculty
Electrical Engineering Mathematics and Duration
Computer Science
Language
English-taught
Start
Web
https://ut.onl/ee
60353
2 years
1 Feb 2023
1 Sep 2023
2 | Electrical Engineering
MASTER'S STRUCTURE
HOW TO COMPOSE YOUR
MASTER'S?
You have a good deal of freedom in structuring this Master's by choosing a specialisation that suits your interests
and ambitions. By working towards your ideal Master’s, you get to develop your own expertise and become the
unique electrical engineer you want to be.
You will collect 120 EC within two years. In your first
year you attend a set of core and elective courses and in
your second year you gain practical experience by carrying
out an internship and conducting your master’s thesis
within the research group connected to your specialisation.
WHAT IS EC?
Student workload at Dutch universities is expressed in EC,
also named ECTS (European Credit Transfer and
Accumulation System), which is widely used throughout
the European Union. In the Netherlands, each credit
represents 28 hours of work.
CO-DECIDE THE CONTENT OF YOUR MASTER'S
This Master's is all about specialisation: there are no core
courses that have to be taken by all students. Instead, each
specialisation has its own core and elective courses. Your
personal curriculum will be designed in consultation with
your programme mentor.
3 | Electrical Engineering
How to compose the Master's in Electrical Engineering?
What your curriculum looks like, depends on the choices
you make in composing your Master’s.
INTEGRATED OPTICAL SYSTEMS
There are two steps in doing so.
LAB-ON-A-CHIP SYSTEMS FOR BIOMEDICAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
STEP 1: CHOOSE A MASTER’S SPECIALISATION
Before you start with your Master's, you need to choose a
specialisation, in order to specialise within the field of
Electrical Engineering. The Master’s in Electrical
Engineering has twelve specialisations:
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Communication Networks focuses on the design &
implementation of dependable networked systems, such as
communication systems and methods/techniques to
support this design.
UT.ONL/EE-DACS
COMPUTER VISION AND BIOMETRICS
Computer Vision & Biometrics focuses on signal
processing and pattern recognition to retrieve information
from (biometric) signals.
UT.ONL/EE-SAS
DEPENDABLE INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
Dependable Integrated Systems focuses on computer
architectures such as streaming applications in the highperformance domain, architectures for embedded systems
and ICT for energy management.
UT.ONL/EE-CAES
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN
Integrated Circuit Design focuses on smart IC design
techniques to create portable, fast and energy-efficient
communication systems.
UT.ONL/EE-ICD
Integrated Optical Systems focuses on
microscale/nanoscale integrated on-chip optical devices.
UT.ONL/EE-IOS
Lab-on-a-chip Systems for Biomedical & Environmental
Applications focuses on electrical, fluidic, and optical
functions integrated in a microsystem in (bio)chemical and
medical fields.
UT.ONL/EE-BIOS
MICRO SENSORS AND SYSTEMS
Miniaturization allows the creation of highly sensitive,
compact, light-weight sensors and sensor systems.
UT.ONL/EE-IDS
NANO ELECTRONICS
Nanoelectronics examines the electronic and magnetic
properties of systems at the nanoscale. Its subfields include
hybrid inorganic-organic electronics, spin electronics and
quantum electronics.
UT.ONL/EE-NE
NEUROTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMECHATRONICS
Neurotechnology & Biomechatronics focuses on neural
engineering, interfacing with the neural system and on
monitoring and influencing body functions on distance
through such interfaces.
UT.ONL/EE-BSS
4 | Electrical Engineering
POWER ELECTRONICS
Power Electronics is found in almost every system where
electricity is used and is a key technology for improving
energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.
UT.ONL/EE-PE
RADIO SYSTEMS
This specialisation concentrates on optical signal
processing and networks, mobile communications,
microwave techniques and radiation from ICs and PCBs.
UT.ONL/EE-RS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY
Transistors, diodes and capacitors: the topic of study in
this track. Research in this area involves the invention and
improvement of devices and (micro)fabrication processes.
UT.ONL/EE-SDT
STEP 2: COMPOSE YOUR INDIVIDUAL STUDY
PROGRAMME
After registering for your Master’s specialisation, you will
compose your own study programme, in consultation
with your programme mentor. Each specialisation
contains a number of core courses and a master’s
assignment that reflects the nature of the specialisation.
Furthermore, you have the opportunity to participate in a
wider selection of Electrical Engineering courses and even
electives beyond the programme, both inside and outside
of the University of Twente!
● Curious about what your curriculum looks like?
Choose a Master's specialisation and find out which
courses you can take.
You are supposed to remain critical of the choices you
made in composing your study programme. Your
interests may shift during your studies, or you might think
that a different elective would better suit your ambitions.
That’s why you keep the opportunity to adjust your
curriculum during the programme, in consultation with
your programme mentor.
5 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
FOCUS: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES TO ASSIST PEOPLE
Within the category biomedical applications, we offer
the specialisation Neurotechnology & Biomechatronics.
NEUROTECHNOLOGY & BIOMECHATRONICS
Neurotechnology & Biomechatronics focuses on neural
engineering, interfacing with the neural system and on
monitoring and influencing body functions through such
interfaces. Research is conducted at three levels:
● At cellular and network level, you will look at neuroelectronic interfacing of live neural tissue on electrode
substrates, learning and memory in cultured circuits
and neural endcap prosthesis.
● At human function level you will study
neuromodulation and dynamic identification with
reference to pain, motor control and heart function;
diagnosis, functional support and neurofeedback
training in rehabilitation.
● At healthcare level you will explore areas of
telemedicine, such as remote monitoring and remotely
supervised treatment using wearable interfaces and ICT
systems.
The specialisation Neurotechnology and
Biomechatroniccs is directly linked with the
researchgroup Biomedical Signals and Systems and
research institute the Technical Medical Centre.
6 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
COMMUNICATION
FOCUS: MAKE IT FASTER
We offer two specialisations focused on communication:
Communication Networks and Radio Systems.
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Communication Networks focuses on the design &
implementation of dependable networked systems, such as
communication systems and methods/techniques to
support this design.
A dependable system is designed to satisfy the changing
requirements of its users. You will learn to design and
implement dependable networked systems, focusing
primarily on communication systems (wired, wireless, or
embedded in other systems) as well as on methods and
techniques to support the design and dimensioning of such
systems. All of this is done to ensure dependability in all
phases of the lifecycle (availability, reliability, performance
and security). The specialisation Communication Networks
is directly linked with the research group Design and
Analysis of Communication Systems and the Digital Society
Institute.
RADIO SYSTEMS
It is hard to point out any aspect of modern life which does
not depend on radio systems. The rapid development of
wireless communications has revolutionised our lives and
our understanding of the world.
The research in the Radio Systems group covers a wide
range, including designing the physical layer (PHY) for
wireless communication systems, radar systems, signal
processing algorithms, radio propagation and channel
modeling, and antenna design. In addition to the theoretical
components, we are interested in practical aspects. That is
why, implementation of signal processing algorithms,
prototyping communication systems using Software
Defined Radios (SDRs), building and testing the designed
antennas and practical channel measurements are also
integral part of the research work in our group. We try to
give (at least) a touch of practical experience wherever
possible. The specialisation Radio Systems is directly linked
to the research group Radio Systems within the Electrical
Engineering department and the Digital Society Institute.
7 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FOCUS: MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT
Within the category energy systems, we offer the
specialisation Power Electronics.
POWER ELECTRONICS
Power electronics is nowadays found in almost every
system where electricity is used for computing,
communication, renewable energy harvesting and
transportation. It is a key technology for improving energy
efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. Many of our
projects involve integrating power electronic converters in
systems dealing with modelling and optimizing the
interaction between the components; such as batteries,
solar cells, electrical machines and electromechanical
actuators. Working as an engineer in real life you will
often have to solve problems related to power quality,
electromagnetic compatibility and overheating while
tuning the system for best performance.
Our research focus is on battery electronics, conducted
and radiated electromagnetic interference and power
electronic packaging. One special theme of the
programme is small solar systems with battery storage to
provide off-grid electric services to three billion people
living in energy poverty. It is a challenging research field
because it not only requires innovative and reliable
technology, but the solutions need to be sustainable from
a socio-economical point of view.
8 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
IC DESIGN/COMPUTER
ARCHITECTURE
FOCUS: HARDWARE DESIGN
We offer two specialisations that are focused on IC
design/computer architecture: Dependable Integrated
Systems and Integrated Circuit Design.
DEPENDABLE INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
Dependable Integrated Systems focuses on computer
architectures such as streaming applications in the highperformance domain, architectures for embedded systems
and ICT for energy management.
A dependable system is a system that has been designed to
satisfy the changing requirements of its users. While the
Communication Networks specialisation concentrates on
communication systems, the emphasis in Dependable
Integrated Systems is on computer architectures. Topics
include streaming applications in the high-performance
high-tech domain (e.g. phased array antenna systems,
medical image processing and signal processing on board
satellites), architectures for embedded systems and ICT for
energy management (e.g. smart grids). The specialisation
Dependable Integrated Systems is directly linked with the
research group Computer Architecture for Embedded
Systems and research institute the Digital Society Institute.
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN
Integrated Circuit Design focuses on smart IC design
techniques to create portable, fast and energy-efficient
communication systems.
Integrated circuits are at the heart of the rapid developments
in mobile telecommunications, multimedia, the internet and
numerous other applications. IC design is of major
industrial importance, and this is even more true of
analogue circuit design, an area in which the European
electronics industry is leading the way. You will focus on
integrated transceivers in CMOS technology. This includes
transmitters and receivers for wireless and wired
communication systems. Smart IC design techniques are
being developed to create portable, fast and energy-efficient
communication systems. Current projects are in the field of
frequency synthesizers, radio frontends, RF beam-forming
and cognitive radio. The specialisation Integrated Circuit
Design is directly linked with the research group Integrated
Circuit Design and the Digital Society Institute.
9 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
IMAGE AND SIGNAL
PROCESSING
FOCUS: IMAGE PROCESSING AND BIOMETRICS
The specialisation Computer Vision & Biometrics is part
of the category image and signal processing.
COMPUTER VISION & BIOMETRICS
Computer Vision includes methods for acquiring,
processing, analysing, and understanding images or
image sequences from the real world in order to produce
information, e.g., in the forms of decisions. It is the
combination of Image Processing and Statistical Pattern
Recognition. Biometrics deals with the recognition of
persons based on physiological characteristics, such as
face, fingerprint, vascular pattern or iris, and behavioural
traits, such as gait or speech. It combines Computer
Vision with knowledge of human physiology and
behaviour.
Data Management and Biometrics research group
researches Computer Vision and Biometrics and their
applications in the area of public safety.
The research of the group is both fundamental and
application oriented; they develop new theoretical
concepts, such as new methods for combining classifiers,
as well as technology for practical applications. Current
research topics are for example face recognition at a
distance, intelligent video surveillance, biometrics for
border control, finger vein recognition, 3D face modelling
and recognition, and forensic biometrics.
10 | Electrical Engineering
CATEGORY
MICROSYSTEMS
FOCUS: MAKE IT SMALLER
Within the category microsystems, we offer five
specialisations: Lab on a Chip Systems, Semiconductor
Devices and Technology, Nanoelectronics, Micro Sensors
and Systems, and Integrated Optical Systems.
LAB ON A CHIP SYSTEMS
Lab on a chip Systems focuses on electrical, fluidic, and
optical functions integrated in a microsystem in
(bio)chemical and medical fields.
A ‘Lab-on-a-Chip’ (LoC) consists of electrical, fluidic, and
optical functions integrated in a microsystem, and has
applications in (bio)chemical and medical fields. The core of
the Lab on a chip system is a microfluidic channel structure,
through which fluid samples of less than a nanolitre are
propelled by hydraulic, electro-kinetic or surface forces. The
fluid sample is then analysed by the LoC’s circuitry. LoCs
can be used for diagnostic devices in clinical measurements
and in life sciences, for experiments on the microscale and
nanoscale, in microreactors, for the manipulation and
analysis of cells and biomolecules and in tissue
engineering. You will learn more about nanofluidics and
nanosensing, and about new micro and nanotechnologies
for Lab on a chip systems and the potential of LoC
applications. The specialisation Lab on a chip Systems is
directly linked with the researchgroup Bios Lab-on-a-Chip
and research institutes MESA+ and the Technical Medical
Centre.
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY
Transistors, diodes and capacitors: the topic of study in this
specialisation. Research in this area involves the invention
and improvement of devices and (micro)fabrication
processes; and the development of fundamental
understanding of the underlying device physics. Integrated
circuits take center stage, but also solar cell technology is
studied. The Nanolab fabrication facility allows us to
demonstrate such new ideas on a variety of devices and
develop the science of working principles and design, with
the aim to transfer this knowledge to the industry.
The research spans from materials via process integration
and device physics to device reliability. Examples are:
deposition and characterisation of few-nm thin metal films;
transistors and capacitors employing the negativecapacitance effect; and self-healing in CMOS transistors.
The specialisation Semiconductor devices and technology
is directly linked with the research group Integrated Devices
and Systems (IDS) and the MESA+ Institute.
NANOELECTRONICS
NanoElectronics examines the electronic and magnetic
properties of systems at the nanoscale. Its subfields include
hybrid inorganic-organic electronics, spin electronics and
quantum electronics.
The specialisation in NanoElectronics comprises the study
of the electronic and magnetic properties of systems with
critical dimensions at the nanoscale, i.e. sub ~100 nm. Its
key areas include hybrid inorganic-organic electronics, spin
electronics and quantum electronics and it combines
aspects of Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry,
Materials Science, and Nanotechnology. The specialisation
NanoElectronics is directly linked with the research group
NanoElectronics and MESA+ Institute.
MICRO SENSORS AND SYSTEMS
Miniaturisation allows the creation of highly sensitive,
compact, lightweight sensors and systems. Besides their
small size, a fascinating aspect of such sensors is that
multiple subfields of physics, chemistry and electrical
engineering come together when we want to make and
understand such systems.
The research on micro sensors and systems spans from
materials via process integration and device physics to
device reliability; you can usually find us in or around
Nanolab. Examples are: ultra-low-noise accelerometers for
noise reduction in the detection of gravitation waves and
microfluidic measurement systems for medical drug
delivery. The Micro Sensors and Systems specialisation is
directly linked with the research group Integrated Devices
and Systems (IDS) and the research institute MESA+.
INTEGRATED OPTICAL SYSTEMS
Integrated Optical Systems focuses on
microscale/nanoscale integrated on-chip optical devices.
This specialisation focuses on microscale and nanoscale
integrated on-chip optical devices. We are particularly
interested in the integration of active nanodevices and
microdevices (e.g. amplifiers and lasers) in passive photonic
technology platforms. We also investigate how to utilise the
beneficial aspects of plasmonics to produce integrated
devices with novel and/or improved functionalities. Our
main focus is applications in sensing and communication
(i.e. on-chip optical interconnects). The specialisation
Integrated Optical Systems is linked with the research group
Optical Sciences and MESA+ Institute.
11 | Electrical Engineering
Electronics are an integral part of our daily lives and a growing industry that continues to develop. I want to take up
the challenge of working with the technology of the future. Besides improving current techniques, there is a lot to
innovate. For my bachelor's I chose the University of Twente (UT) because the programme is taught in English and
the campus atmosphere appealed to me. For the master's, it was logical to stay in Twente.
SPECIALISATION POWER ELECTRONICS
IMPACT ON SOCIETY
GREEN FUTURE
I want to put my knowledge and skills to good use for
society. This is why I think my challenges in the future lie in
the energy transition or space travel, both very emerging
fields.
My specialisation is about Power Electronics. An interesting
subject in this area is 'Power Electronic Converters'. An
example: our entire electricity network works with AC
(alternating current), which is ideal for transporting
electricity because it can easily be brought to a higher
voltage to minimise losses. However, almost all of our
devices require DC (direct current). This, therefore, requires
a power converter. It is an essential component in any
electrical device.
If we rely completely on green energy sources in the future,
such as wind and solar power, we will need to store energy.
After all, how do we supply energy to homes when the sun
does not shine or the wind does not blow? Our electricity
grid works with AC voltage, an energy storage can often
only supply DC (such as batteries). An efficient conversion
is therefore important to make this step possible. I would
like to contribute to this.
As an Electrical Engineer, you will have to deal with
problems from society. For example, how do you get as
much energy as possible out of a battery/solar panel to use
it as efficiently as possible to charge an electric car? Or how
to generate the strongest possible magnetic field for the
MRI scanner of the future. In both cases, this has a direct
impact on society in terms of the latest electric cars that
drive further or charge faster or for discoveries in the
medical world.
I find energy transition very interesting. It is a fact that we
must minimise the use of fossil fuels. So we'd better work
on our green future as soon as possible. For example, the
car of the Solar Team Twente runs on solar energy. During
my time with this team, I was the Lead Electrical Engineer. I
was responsible for the entire electrical system. I made sure
that everything was finished in time, was at the right place
and that everything worked in the end.
My specialisation was the solar panel and all the associated
electronics. The combination of working with the most
advanced technology in the green energy industry and
being able to optimise that to gain as much energy as
possible during our race in Australia was something I
enjoyed doing and learned a lot from.
"I want to take up the challenge of working with the
technology of the future."
- Rob Kräwinkel -
12 | Electrical Engineering
NEED AND NICE-TO-KNOW
STUDENT INFORMATION
There are a couple of things you should know before you apply for the Master's in Electrical Engineering. In
addition, you will find some nice-to-know information about this Master's. For example, the promising career
prospects.
The demand for electrical engineers is eminent and still
growing, as their training encompasses a branch of science
rather than focusing on a specific profession.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
This Master’s provides you with the knowledge and skills
you will need to be successful in almost any area of
technology. It is an innovative engineering discipline in
which you will develop new methods and technologies.
You will be trained in development teams for all kinds of
new technologies. Without electrical engineers there would
be no cars, aircraft, mobile phones, tablets, PCs or TVs.
WHERE DO GRADUATES WORK?
Many of our graduates start their careers in R&D
departments. Our research groups enjoy close ties with
major companies such as Philips (consumer and medical
electronic devices), ASML (machine fabrication to produce
chips), NXP (chips), and Thales, but also with SMEs. These
ties could help you find your first job, often with an
internship as a first step. You might also decide to
specialise further by becoming a PhD researcher at one of
our research groups. You could then go to work as a
specialist for a company, or start your own business as
many of our past graduates have done.
13 | Electrical Engineering
You start your studies in September or February. In case you need to follow the Pre-Master’s first, you can only start
in September and continue with your Master's in February.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the Master’s in Electrical Engineering
should have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent
qualification from a recognised university or accredited
academic institution in a discipline related to that of the
Master’s in Electrical Engineering such as a Bachelor of
Science (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Physics
or a related field.
Additional requirements
International students: English-language test results.
Academic IELTS, overall band score of at least 6.5, or
TOEFL, internet-based (TOEFL-iBT) of at least 90, or
Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). For the minimum CPGA of your
country, please visit our master’s website: utwente.nl/
go/master/country-list
DUTCH UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Depending on your previous education and your grades,
you may need to complete a pre-master’s first. The
starting date of the pre-master’s is in September. After
finishing your pre-master’s successfully, you can directly
enter the Master’s. It is also possible to complete the premaster’s as a minor during your Bachelor’s degree. Minor
students can enter the Master’s in February or September
after finishing the pre-master’s. For more specific
admission requirements, please visit our website:
utwente.nl/go/ee
DO THE ONLINE ELIGIBILITY CHECK
Our eligibility check is designed to assist you as a student
holding a non-Dutch diploma. This online test gives
you an indication of your eligibility to be admitted to the
master's of your interest and takes about five minutes to
complete. Start the check!
GET IN TOUCH
Questions about a study programme of your
interest? Whatever your question is, we will be
happy to help you.
University of Twente
Drienerlolaan 5
7522 NB Enschede
Phone:+31 (0)53 489 5489
Mail: study@utwente.nl
Whatsapp: +31 (0)6 51842633
FACTS & FIGURES
WHY CHOOSE TO STUDY AT UT?
As a UT student, you will learn how to use innovative technologies to influence today's societal
challenges in a meaningful way. We call it High Tech Human Touch.
You will benefit from excellent, highly personalised education and research in fields ranging from social sciences to
engineering and natural sciences to life sciences. You will learn to work with experts from other disciplines
and cultures. In doing so, you will develop in-depth professional knowledge and intensive personal growth.
Your study location is our campus: a dynamic community for young people to work, live and socialise. It's a breeding
ground for brilliant ideas, where you follow academic education and apply your new skills in the various state-ofthe-art labs. This is also where you meet up with friends, play sports or visit the theatre. You can even go for
groceries or catch up in the bar.
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