Graduate program

Automotive Systems
The graduate program offers various opportunities
for students and researchers that are interested in
a multi-disciplinary, systems oriented approach to
automotive engineering. Automotive Systems is part
of the strategic research area Smart Mobility, and
focuses on the challenges faced by the automotive
industry today: a systems approach to problems
relating to mobility and fuel-efficient automotive
systems, including communication systems and
electric driving. The main technological/scientific
objective of the program is to deliver solutions for
clean, safe and sustainable smart mobility.
Within the Automotive Systems graduate program,
the following programs are available:
Masters program
- Automotive Technology
Designers program
- Automotive Systems Design
PhD programs
- Automotive research projects related to the
themes efficient vehicles and connected cars
Department of Mechanical Engineering
More information about
the graduate program
Graduate program director:
Prof.dr.ir. M. Steinbuch
e-mail: m.steinbuch@tue.nl
www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/as
PhD programs
A Masters degree and PDEng degree enables you
to apply for a PhD position within the Automotive
Systems graduate program during which you will
become an independent researcher for a period of
four years. Under the supervision of a professor,
you will undertake a study within the Automotive
Technology domain and produce a dissertation.
You will write scientific articles, give presentations
at conferences and seminars to scientists from
your field, and undertake some teaching. TU/e also
offers PhD students numerous opportunities to
develop themselves, for instance, through courses
and training geared to personal development and
supplementary scientific courses.
TU/e PhD students are employed by the university,
which means that you receive a salary during your
PhD program. You are also entitled to attractive
secondary employment benefits. When you
complete your program with a dissertation and gain
your doctorate, your career prospects will be good,
in both worlds of science and industry.
- Study possibilities: Full-time
- Degree: PhD
- Language: English
- Times of entry: All year round
- Duration: 4 years
- www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/as
About TU/e:
- Leading in Engineering, Science & Technology
- Excellent and modern student facilities
- Scholarships available
- More than 70 nationalities present
- International contacts with leading universities
- TU/e students in high demand among employers
- Brainport Eindhoven, the Dutch high-tech region
- English spoken everywhere in the Netherlands
More information about
TU/e, admission and enrollment
Education and Student Service Center
tel. +31 (0)40 247 4747
e-mail: io@tue.nl
www.tue.nl/graduateprograms
Where innovation starts www.tue.nl/graduateprograms
TU/e Graduate School
2013-2014
Masters program

Automotive Technology
Vehicles present all kinds of challenges for
technicians and scientists. Increasing vehicle
intelligence (electronics, software) and the
introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles
and vehicles that run on new fuels demand
multidisciplinary engineers. Such developments
demonstrate that automotive engineers need a
background in mechanics, electronics, computer
science and chemistry, as well as human-machine
interaction. As a future automotive engineer you
should have knowledge of all these aspects.
TU/e offers a unique automotive oriented Masters
program that teaches students to see the car as a
system. On top of this it gives students in-depth
knowledge about one of the essential parts of
a vehicle. The Automotive Technology program
consists of a multidisciplinary core program and
plenty of electives for you to specialize in one field
of interest related to the research field of your
choice. Graduates acquire an outstanding starting
point for a successful career in the automotive
industry, education or research institutes.
Graduation options
The embedding of the Masters program within
smart mobility research as well as the unique
positioning of the university within the high-tech
Brainport Eindhoven region offer ample
opportunities to finish the Master with an in-depth
thesis. Over 15 groups across six TU/e departments
are participating in the program and carry out top
quality research on automotive systems. Our unique
lab facilities, complemented with the facilities at
the High Tech Automotive Campus in Helmond, offer
an inspiring and challenging environment, updated
with the newest technology.
- Study possibilities: Full-time
- Degree: Master of Science
- Language: English
- Times of entry: September or February
(Students from abroad can only start in September)
- Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS)
- www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/as
Designers program

Automotive Systems Design
With a MSc degree in a relevant field (Mechanical
or Electrical Engineering, Automotive Technology,
Mathematics, Computer Science, Industrial
Design or comparable), you can continue on to the
Designers program Automotive Systems Design
within the Automotive Systems graduate program.
High-tech industry needs experienced designers
able to design complex new products and
processes. A Masters degree may well give you
the requisite theoretical knowledge but you still
lack sufficient practical experience. A Designers
program gives you that practical experience, which
boosts your market value for industry. You graduate
with a Professional Doctorate in Engineering
(PDEng) degree.
The Automotive Systems Design program begins
with a 15-month course followed by a major
in-company design assignment of nine months.
The program focuses on systems engineering
design, during which the PDEng trainees
concentrate on strengthening both their engineering
and non-engineering competencies related to the
effective and efficient design and development of
technologies and applications for modern high-tech
automotive systems in the context of smart mobility
and the related societal challenges. In particular,
the program focuses on the multidisciplinary design
aspects of project-based research and engineering
in high-tech automotive systems, and the
challenges being faced by the automotive industry:
a systems approach to problems around mobility
and fuel efficient automotive systems, including
communication systems and electric driving.
- Study possibilities: Full-time
- Degree: Professional Doctorate in Engineering
- Language: English
- Times of entry: October
- Duration: 2 years
- www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/as
The Technological Designers programs are
coordinated in the 3TU.School for Technological
Design, Stan Ackermans Institute. The institute
represents the three universities of technology in
the Netherlands and was established in mid-2006.
Alumnus Carlo van de Weijer
Managing director of TomTom Eindhoven
Theres been a need for highly trained engineers in the automotive
industry for years, from ourselves as well as other companies. TomTom is
mainly a software company, but our electronic products increasingly have
to meet demands for resistance to temperature, shocks and vibration, and
for integration into the overall vehicle systems. Theres currently a lack of
system thinkers who can combine all the different disciplines. Up to now
weve depended mainly on software developers or electrical engineers who are
interested in cars. Companies will be eagerly waiting for the first Automotive
Technology Masters graduates, and were sure to be among them. TomTom is
growing rapidly, and were finding it hard to fill our vacancies. Even in a company
like ours, where youre working on fantastic products like navigation systems.
Student Bobby Johny Varocky
Master Automotive Technology
As a child I was always very interested in things that moved: cars, bikes,
aircrafts, trains. I could recognize literally every make and type of car.
So it wasnt surprising that I decided to do a Bachelors in mechanical
engineering. And now that Im doing the Masters program Automotive
Technology, I can really put my love of cars into practice. What I like most
about this program is that I can make a contribution to the development
of sustainable and environment-friendly cars. At the same time its very
interesting to optimize aspects like handling and comfort. Why I chose TU/e as
an international student? The Netherlands is close to Germany, which is the heart
of the European automotive industry. But also because a lot of important research
is carried out in the Brainport Eindhoven region. And of course, everyone here
speaks English, thats also very handy!