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 consists primarily of coursework. There are 12 courses of 5 EC each, 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 2023-2024 is as follows:

Quarter 1

Theme

Energy Conversion Technology

Technology and Sustainability

Business Models for Sustainable Energy

Socio-economics

Basics for Process Simulation

Design and system integration 

Quarter 2

Theme

Hydrogen Technology

Energy Sources

Electrical Power Engineering and System Integration

Design and system integration 

Thermodynamics and Flowsheeting

Design and system integration  

Quarter 3

Theme

Solar Energy

Energy Sources

Energy Storage

Technology and Sustainability  

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Socio-economics 

Quarter 4

Theme

Wind Energy

Energy Sources

Life-Cycle Strategy

Technology and Sustainability

System Innovation and Strategic Niche Management

Socio-economics  

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 Royal Dutch Shell, 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).

Second year: Sustainable Energy Technology

60 EC

Internship* or specialisation courses

15 EC

Specialisation courses

15 EC

Master thesis assignment

30 EC

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