Frequently asked questions

Electrical Engineering is regarded as one of the most challenging degree programmes at TU Delft. The programme demands a lot of your time. It is important to work hard from the beginning and to spend an average of about 42 hours a week on your studies. Provided you have the right background (such as good mathematical knowledge and skills, see below), if you study hard, participate actively in lectures, laboratory work and projects, and keep up with your work, you will be able to complete the programme successfully.

There is a large amount of mathematics and physics in the first year, because mathematical knowledge is essential for Electrical Engineering. Which means that the programme will be difficult for students who are struggling with mathematics B and physics. The figures are self-explanatory : last year only 30% of students with a grade of 6 or lower for mathematics B were able to continue with the programme after the first year.

Would you like to be sure that your maths skills are at the required level before you start the programme in September? Then take the MOOC Pre-University Calculus course. 

Apply via Studielink before 1 May. The Dutch admission requirements apply to this programme.
International high-school students have to enrol before 1 April.

The Electrical Engineering degree programme is offered at Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Twente and TU Delft. The basics of the Bachelor’s degree programmes are not that different. Each degree programme does have its own specialisations, though.

TU Eindhoven offers many electives, which are less directly associated with electrical engineering. All first-year students at TU Eindhoven also take a number of general courses, such as natural sciences and technical design. As a result, the Bachelor’s degree programmes at TU Eindhoven are relatively similar to each other and may stay at the surface in some areas.

In the first year, the University of Twente has a system with large modules of 15 credits (a whole quarter), which you have to take and complete in their entirety. Also, ‘electric energy’ is not part of the Bachelor’s programme at the University of Twente.

The degree programmes also differ per university in atmosphere and character. It’s best to experience this yourself by visiting to one of the open days or a shadow day.

Did you know that...

• There are special opportunities for talented students at the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS)? Read more about the Honours Programme and top-level sports in the flyer (only in Dutch).
• TU Delft is famous for its dream teams? These student teams design and build things as rockets, cars (like Nuna), robots and boats. Well-known teams include the Nuon Solar Team and Formula Student Team. It is possible to do a graduation project with one of these dream teams, and also to be part in a team alongside your studies.
• YES!Delft offers students and engineers help with successfully starting a company? 

At a university of applied sciences, the emphasis is much more on the application of existing knowledge to solve a problem. It is more practically oriented.

Academic degree programmes are concerned with finding solutions for new problems. At university, for example, you would ask yourself: ‘Why do I do something in this way?’ and ‘Could this be done better?’ In many cases this generates new knowledge. Such knowledge then filters through to HBO level, where students learn to apply that knowledge in practice. A sound theoretical foundation in mathematics and physics is essential for developing new knowledge. At HBO level, mathematics is more hidden in formulas and working methods. 

Although it is rather difficult, there are students who combine the Bachelor’s degree programme in Electrical Engineering with Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics or Computer Science and Engineering, for example. To enrol in a double degree programmes, it is necessary to request prior permission from both programmes. A double programme generally comprises 240 credits, while a single Bachelor’s programme comprises 180 credits. Different programmes can have similar modules, which you do not have to take twice. Hence, the reduced additional credits if you do a double degree programme. A double Bachelor’s degree programme is customised to an individual student. The timetable, however, cannot be adapted, which means the student must have great organisational skills. In general, we advise to successfully complete your first year first, before opting for a double degree. 

Within the Electrical Engineering programme men are traditionally in the majority, with a M/F ratio of around 10 to 1. However, there are more women studying at the faculty in the Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and Engineering programmes. The number of women studying Applied Mathematics is currently at 40%. 

The courses in the Bachelor's degree programmes are listed on the degree programme website. All of the individual courses of our degree programmes can be found on this page. Are you curious about the first-year lectures? If so, please visit OpenCourseWare, where you can view videos of lectures from the courses.

In the first year, mathematics courses take up 25% of the programme. Add 20% physics courses and 55% Electrical Engineering courses and that is basically your first year. The mathematics that you learn will be an essential tool for the rest of your career. You will continue to apply the mathematics that you have learned during the Electrical Engineering courses. If you found mathematics at pre-university education very difficult or less enjoyable, then chances are that the Electrical Engineering degree programme is not the best choice for you.

The official language remains Dutch, however almost the whole programme will be taught in English. An adequate knowledge of English is therefore essential in order to participate

For the Bachelor's and Master’s degree programmes, all books are in English. 

• 1st and 2nd hours 08:45 - 10:30 
• 3rd and 4th hours 10:45 - 12:30
• Break
• 5th and 6th hours 13:45 - 15:30 
• 7th and 8th hours 15:45 - 17:30 
• 9th and 10th hours 17:45 - 19:30

This does not mean that you have ten hours of lectures a day: you can find your timetable at www.roosters.tudelft.nl

Yes, every student should have a laptop. TU Delft has a range of computer rooms, but you are expected to purchase your own laptop. You will need a laptop for laboratory courses and projects, and it is also useful for self-study. It is up to you which operating system you choose. Thanks to the laptop project you can buy a good laptop at the university, which also comes with support. If your laptop develops a problem, you can bring it in for repair while you will be issued with a temporary replacement laptop. 

Examinations at TU Delft are both written and digital. This can vary per course. You can find the relevant details in the digital prospectus. A written examination usually lasts three hours and takes place in a large hall with the entire group of first-year Electrical Engineering students. In a written examination, you will usually answer a number of questions, which requires applying the knowledge and skills you have learned in the course. They can be open or closed questions, or a combination of both.

In the first year you will have interim examinations for most courses mid-term through the quarter (5th week), and there will always be a final examination at the end of the quarter (10th week) for the courses that you have completed that quarter. In addition, there are tests to measure your progress and to determine if you have understood the material. The grades that you receive for that will have a small influence on your final grade for the relevant course. The resits from the first quarter are held after the Christmas break and those of the other quarters are held in the summer break.

In the first two years of the degree programme, you will work on projects in addition to the courses, in which you will work in a team of students on the practical application of Electrical Engineering. These projects are usually assessed by a combination of a written report, presentations, an oral defence and an assessment of the results.

The bachelor project in the third year concludes with a written report and an oral defence. 

The degree programme in Electrical Engineering includes compulsory mentorship in the first year. The focus is on study skills as well as getting to know each other, the faculty, the world of academia and TU Delft. You will learn more about this at the beginning of your degree programme.

There is also an academic counsellor to discuss your progress, study schedule and other plans. Students with a functional disability, such as a physical disability, dyslexia or an autism spectrum disorder, can call on the academic counsellor for assistance. 

TU Delft also organises various workshops and training courses on study skills, such as stress management, thinking constructively and studying with dyslexia.  

The academic year is made up of four ten-week terms. The fourth quarter has an additional week to compensate for the large number of public holidays during that term. Scheduled examinations also take place in these four terms. The non-teaching terms are split between two weeks during the Christmas period, one week in the spring and nine weeks in the summer. Most resits take place in the summer (weeks 3 and 4 of the summer break), so your summer will be shorter if you need to retake examinations or catch up with other work (such as writing reports). 

Yes, for example during the minor in the third year if you participate in an exchange programme, or during your graduation project. You can also go abroad on an educational trip or an internship. Or you can complete part of your Master’s programme abroad. Visit buitenland.tudelft.nl for more information. 

The earlier you register, the greater the chance you will find a room quickly. So register on time, for example, with duwo.nl (the largest provider of student accommodation in Delft). For more information on student housing, click here. You can also find a room via kamernet.nl, but this may involve a voting-in process as these rooms are privately offered.

The study associations are linked to a particular programme and represent the interests of its students, organise study-related activities such as educational trips, lectures and excursions, and arrange leisure activities. Each degree programme at TU Delft has its own study association. The study association for Electrical Engineering is the Electrotechnische Vereeniging (ETV).

Student associations are not affiliated with a degree programme or with TU Delft. They have more of an external social function. There are all kinds of student associations, ranging from general interest to associations based on culture, sports or politics. 

No, you don't, but it is a good way of getting to know people, especially if you are new to Delft. You can find more information about student associations here. 

The Delft Honours Programme is for students who are looking for a challenge over and above what their curriculum offers. This is in addition to the regular study programme. It gives you the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge in or outside your field of specialisation, to work on your personal development and to collaborate with students on other programmes.