MASTER OF SCIENCE  60331


CROHO

EMBEDDED 9
DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES OF

SYSTEMS

STUDENTS

3887
NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES IN
THE FIELD OF THIS MASTER’S
1 | Embedded Systems

INTRODUCTION
MASTER EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Contribute to scientific research and advanced solutions in industrial processes by designing the software and
hardware of complex embedded systems in vehicles, pacemakers, chipsets, and other devices.

DESIGN FOCUS
The design of embedded systems is at the core of In this two-year, English-taught Master’s, you will learn
technological and industrial progress. Embedded to tackle the increasing complexity of modern embedded
systems are building blocks of medical devices, systems by integrating both hardware and software from
automobiles, industrial machinery, GPS systems and the early stages of the design process. You will gain the
many other. Even your car’s antilock braking system necessary engineering skills and knowledge in
(ABS) is an embedded system. The design of such embedded artificial intelligence, real-time operating
systems is crucial for their functionality. If an embedded systems, digital hardware design, computer architecture,
system can’t perform the required task in time with the embedded software development and sensor integration,
required quality, this has an immediate effect on the among others. By the end of the Master’s, you will be
safety of the person. Furthermore, cost- and energy able to design embedded systems that meet the desired
efficiency are crucial. Within the Master’s in Embedded performance requirements, such as time latency, power
Systems at the University of Twente, you will learn to consumption, reliability, and cost efficiency for various
design, build, and program intelligent software and applications.
hardware that comply with strict requirements
concerning time latency, power consumption, reliability,
and cost efficiency.

QUICKFACTS
Degree Master’s degree in Embedded Systems CROHO 60331
Faculty Electrical Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science Duration 2 years
Language English-taught Start 1 Sep 2025
1 Feb 2026
Web [Link]/esys
2 | Embedded Systems

CAREER PERSPECTIVES
Embedded systems are an integral part of industrial robots, cars, and magnetic resonance imaging in
hospitals, among others, and their demand will only continue to grow. This is why there is an ever-increasing
need for embedded systems engineers who can design, develop, test, and maintain embedded systems for
time-critical applications such as pacemakers or brake controllers.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER WHERE DO GRADUATES WORK?

The demand for Embedded Systems alumni is eminent Wherever your interests lie, this Master's prepares you
and still growing, as there is a great need for engineers for a broad range of positions in a wide range of
with skills that bridge the gap between hardware and companies.
software. This Master’s provides you with the knowledge
and skills needed to understand the interaction of Potential positions
embedded systems within their physical and network ● Full Stack Developer
environments. You’ll get to know all about resource- ● System Engineer
boundedness, dependability and approaches to systems
● Solution Architect
design.
● Consultant
You might join the R&D department of an industrial
company, or you could pursue a career in consultancy or Potential employers
research. Alternatively, you can expand your specialist ● ASML
expertise by pursuing a PhD or EngD programme as ● Philips
facilitated by UT's Twente Graduate School (TGS).
● Alliander
[Link]/phd-eng
● Capgemini
● Nedap
● NXP
● Thales
● Benchmark Electronics

LET CAREER SERVICES Our Career Services Team is here to help you in
thinking about your future,so that your career gets off
HELP YOU OUT! to a flying start as soon as you get your diploma!

[Link]/career-services
3 | Embedded Systems

MASTER'S STRUCTURE
HOW TO COMPOSE YOUR
MASTER'S?
As a student, you have a great deal of freedom in tailoring your Master’s in Embedded Systems to your own
interests and ambitions. Whatever your field of interest, you can compose your ideal master's and, by doing so,
build your own expertise.

The Master’s in Embedded Systems takes two years and In addition, you need to choose elective courses that can
you will collect a total of 120 EC. In your first year, you help you specialise in a distinct theme. You can also take
will take compulsory courses and choose elective courses from the Master’s in Computer Science and the
courses. In your second year, you will do an internship Master’s in Electrical Engineering.
and a Master’s thesis project.
In the second year, you will do an internship at a
The first year consists of a core programme for all company or a research institute. If you have a degree
students. You will take six compulsory courses that focus from a university of applied sciences, you will take
on the most important aspects of designing embedded elective courses instead. You will complete your Master’s
systems. by doing a Master’s thesis project.
4 | Embedded Systems

CONTENT OF THIS MASTER'S

Learn to design embedded systems for any application: from tiny parts in devices such as digital watches to
MRI and machines in the high-tech industry.

In essence, the Master’s in Embedded Systems is about WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
specialising in software and hardware engineering. You After completing the Master’s in Embedded Systems,
learn to design a system architecture including the you:
software and hardware components. This means you will ● have in-depth knowledge of the functional and non-
develop and test not only the software that runs on the functional requirements (such as power consumption,
embedded system but also the hardware. Moreover, you costs) for the performance of an embedded system
will investigate if the integrated software and hardware and you know how to use the available resources
meet the intended use, functionality, and performance. optimally;
As you will learn by doing, you will use logic analysers, ● can conduct scientific research and take a scientific
oscilloscopes, vector network analysers, spectrum approach to complex problems regarding the design
analysers, soldering irons, computer boards, sensors,
of embedded systems.
and actuators at our labs to design efficient embedded
● can design an embedded system that satisfies the
systems.
functional and non-functional requirements and
By the end of the Master’s, you will be able to design an monitor its performance throughout its lifetime.
embedded system for any application and domain: for
instance, embedded software that maximises the energy COMBINE TWO MASTER’S
efficiency of a power grid. Or think of radar systems on If you want to expand your knowledge and skills in
ships that need to meet strict requirements concerning another domain, you have the opportunity to combine
reliability and power consumption. While you can focus your Master’s in Embedded Systems with, for example, a
on a broad range of topics, we advise you to choose a Master’s in Industrial Design Engineering, Robotics, or
theme by following a set of elective courses. We Biomedical Engineering.
recommend you to choose the theme at the beginning of
your Master’s. However, you are free to take elective This will result in a three-year programme (180 EC). You
courses that don’t comprise a specific theme. need to be eligible for both Master's, so check the
admission requirements for both programmes.
The five themes are:
● Computer Architecture This type of double Master’s programme is always tailor-
● Embedded AI made. If you are interested in the possibility of combining
● Internet of Things
your Master’s in Embedded Systems with another
programme, contact the study adviser for more
● Dependable Computing
information.
● Cyber-Physical Systems
5 | Embedded Systems

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
EXPERIENCE OF EWOUT
“So many new technologies are being developed today, and embedded systems are at their core. I’m gaining
hands-on experience in designing, programming, and testing these systems, and I’m sure this will help me
contribute to future innovations once I graduate.”

I did my Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering in Zwolle. The projects are my favourite part of the programme. It's
During my graduation project, I met someone who was great that almost every course has a project component:
studying the Master’s in Embedded Systems at the these assignments keep me motivated. For example, I
University of Twente. He explained what the programme got hyped about a project where we had to design a
was like, why he chose it, and the projects he was functional processor from scratch. Figuring out the logic
working on, and I thought this might be a good fit for me behind it helped me understand how real-world
too. So, why Embedded Systems? I like electrical computing systems work at a basic level, which is
engineering, but it leans heavily on physics and theory, important if you’re going to focus on embedded systems
which isn’t my main interest. Embedded Systems, or hardware design. Besides, the whole process —
though, is more about design — exactly what I enjoy. learning how everything works inside, designing each
The focus is on what’s between computer science and part, and testing it — was rewarding.
electrical engineering, like designing a processor and
figuring out how it would work in a real-world system. EMBEDDED SYSTEMS BEYOND EARTH
For my thesis, I’m designing a system that can run on a
THE UBIQUITY OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS chip in space, where protons and neutrons can hit these
Embedded systems are small, powerful computers chips and mess up the data stored on them, causing
embedded into a larger device to perform a specific task, errors. This isn't an issue on Earth, but in space satellites
often without us even noticing! Imagine a tiny chip and other tech can get damaged. So, I’m trying to figure
controlling how information moves across networks, out how this happens and how to prevent it.
ensuring your video call is smooth. These tiny systems
are everywhere: for example, in medical equipment at After designing the system, I will test it on an actual chip
hospitals and in machinery in high-tech industries. in a lab in Delft: there aren’t other labs like this in the
They’re not like general-purpose computers; they’re built Netherlands. In Delft, they have equipment that can
for one task, and that’s what makes them so interesting shoot protons and neutrons at the chip to simulate space
to me. conditions.

HANDS-ON LEARNING MY FUTURE

There are six mandatory courses in the programme, and I’m still exploring my career options. I might continue
beyond that, you have the freedom to pick any courses into research, but my thesis also got me excited about
that interest you. I love this flexibility, though it can be the space applications of embedded systems. Companies
overwhelming for some students. But you can ask the such as TNO or the European Space Agency are on my
study advisor or programme coordinator to help you if list, so I'm going to apply for jobs there and see where
you find it difficult to choose. My electives focus on this will take me.
wireless design, like radar and 5G technology, so I can
build expertise in this area.

"The focus is on what’s between computer science and

electrical engineering, like designing a processor and
figuring out how it would work in a real-world system."
- Ewout -
6 | Embedded Systems

NEED AND NICE-TO-KNOW

STUDENT INFORMATION
There are a couple of things you should know before you apply for the Master's in Embedded Systems. In
addition, you will find some nice-to-know information about this Master's.

NEED MORE CHALLENGE? GET SUPPORT 24/7 DURING YOUR APPLICATION

Broaden your horizon by adding an extra programme to Do you have questions about your transfer options,
your Master's. You have many opportunities to expand deadlines, starting dates or costs, to name just a
your knowledge outside of your own Master’s. You could fewtopics? Collecting all relevant information to apply for
choose to combine two master's programmes, take part a study can be daunting. Even though everything can be
in one of our Master Honours Programmes, or found on our websites, the amount of information you
incorporate the Transdisciplinary Master-Insert within need to read can seem overwhelming. This is where
your Master's. chatbot Sam comes in! Together with this handy and fast
[Link]/emsys-extracurricular conversation method, you can browse through all the
information you need to apply. Start up a chat!
[Link]/chatbot
7 | Embedded Systems

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.

APPLY NOW! DO THE ONLINE ELIGIBILITY CHECK

Have you decided that you want to study the Master's in Find out if you are admissible to this Master's within five
Embedded Systems at the University of Twente? Find out minutes with our eligibility check! This e-check is created
if you are admissible and apply via our website. for upcoming master's students with an international
[Link]/emsys-admission bachelor's degree to verify that they meet the specific
admission requirements for this Master's. For students
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS with an international degree, it is mandatory to
Applicants for the Master’s in Embedded Systems should complete the e-check. Start the check, it takes about
have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification five minutes to complete it.
from a recognised university or accredited academic [Link]/check
institution in a discipline related to that of the Master’s in
Embedded Systems such as a Bachelor of Science in DUTCH UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Depending on your previous education and your grades,
Telematics/Telecommunication or an equivalent you may need to complete a pre-master’s first. The
qualification. Find out if you are admissible using our starting date of the pre-master’s is in September. After
transfer tool. finishing your pre-master’s successfully, you can directly
[Link]/transfertool enter the Master’s. It is also possible to complete the pre-
master’s as a minor during your Bachelor’s degree.
Additional requirements Minor students can enter the Master’s in February or
International students: English-language test results. September after finishing the pre-master’s. For more
● Academic IELTS, overall band score of at least 6.5; specific admission requirements, please visit our website.
● TOEFL, internet-based (TOEFL-iBT) of at least 90; [Link]/emsys-admission
● Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

For the minimum CPGA of your country, please visit our

master’s website:
[Link]/countrylist

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