Study Programme

Programme structure and overview

The master’s programme Sustainable Energy Technology (SET) is divided in two years that consists of 60 EC each. The first year consists of 12 compulsorily courses of 5 EC each. These courses form a well-balanced programme aimed to provide the student a broad foundation with elements from technology as well as from entrepreneurship and innovation. This core programme is made up of courses related to four themes:

1. Energy sources;
2. Technology and sustainability;
3. Socio-economics;
4. Design and system integration.

Whereas the first year is designed to educate the student to become an engineer with broad basic technical knowledge in several fields of sustainable energy and basic skills in implementing technology-driven changes in energy markets worldwide, the second and final year is intended to specialise in a certain field which can have a more technical either a more social focus. However, the final Master’s assignment should contain elements of both. The major part of the second year focuses on research and/or design through the final Master’s assignment (30 EC). Elective courses (15 EC) and an internship* (15 EC) give students the possibility to acquire in-depth knowledge to effectively carry out a Master’s thesis project in one of the research areas of Sustainable Energy Technology.  

First year

The first year primarily consists of coursework. There are 12 courses, each worth 5 EC, which are compulsory*. In most cases, these courses include a practical part in which the newly acquired knowledge is applied.  

The curriculum for the academic year 2024-2025 is as follows:

* Students can request 2 wildcards to replace a compulsory course with another course (only 1 per theme) -> use the form on Canvas!

Second Year

specialisation year

In the second and final year students choose advanced and specialized courses as preparation for the master thesis research. The year consists of elective specialisation courses (15 EC), an internship* (15 EC) and the Master’s assignment (thesis project). 

The Master's assignment (research thesis) is 30 EC. This individual master’s assignment is the completion of the master’s programme. The main objective of the research thesis is that the student learns and proves that he is able to define, perform, complete and reflect a research project at a large degree of independence. During the master’s thesis work, a student proves his level of understanding and ability to carry out a scientific research or design project, using the acquired competences, i.e. knowledge, skills and attitude.

After successful completion of the SET Master's programme, the graduate is trained to be an engineer that is not only technical technically skilled but also a person that can operate in the total innovation chain towards sustainable energy supply, from the idea towards the final implementation. SET engineers work as engineers, as researchers, as a consultant or start their own company. They are employed in industry at large companies such as Philips Research, Royal HaskoningDHV, at electricity network companies such as Alliander and PLN (Indonesia), at universities and other companies such as, Remeha (domestic heating systems and heat pumps), Senvion (wind turbine manufacturer), Ventilex (manufacturer of drying solutions).

*Bachelors entering from a university of applied sciences (hbo) who have considerable industrial experience are not obliged to do an internship (stage). Instead of an internship, they follow 15 EC master courses.