Course selection & restrictions
STUDY PLAN, EXAMINATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
TU Delft uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) shared by all universities in the European Union. One academic year consists of a total of 60 EC. One EC is equivalent to a study load of 28 hours (including lectures, laboratory courses, practical work, assignments, projects, private work as well as examinations or other assessment activities. Bachelor programmes at TU Delft consist of 180 EC and Master programmes, 120 EC. The academic year at TU Delft consists of two semesters that are each divided into 2 periods. The first semester contains education period 1 and 2 and the second semester contains education period 3 and 4.
Study Plan
When choosing courses students have to look carefully if the chosen course is taught during their exchange period. Exchange students coming to the TU Delft must take a course load equal to 24-30 EC per semester. Even if the home university of the students requires less than 24 EC, students are not allowed to choose a course package less than 24 EC. We recommend to choose a course package consisting of a maximum study load of 12 to 15 EC per period. Exchange students may only stay for a maximum of 1 academic year. Extensions for a full semester can be requested with the expected study load of 24-30 EC, only with the permission of your home university and TU Delft.
We expect students to carefully prepare a study plan according to our guidelines and discuss them with their home institution as soon as possible, to make sure the choices are available in the desired semester. The study plan is a crucial factor whether students will be accepted or not.
Our course advisors will check whether you meet the pre-requisites and confirm that the requested subjects are available and appropriate. They may request subject’s outlines (syllabi) to check the required pre-requisites. If the proposed course package is not appropriate the course advisors will recommend alternatives.
The majority of courses (if not all courses) should be chosen from one faculty which is included in the student exchange agreement. Check with your home coordinator which TU Delft faculties participate in the agreement. Additional courses may be chosen from other faculties which are included in the exchange agreement. Should you choose courses at a faculty not participating in the agreement motivate your course request in a motivational letter.
All faculties have their own requirements regarding the amount of courses that must be taken at their own faculty.
• Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering requires a 100% of courses within IDE, only in exceptional cases can 10% of the courses be taken at other faculties.
• Faculty of Architect and the Built Environment requires 100% of courses within AR.
• Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences offers fixed course packages. In some cases, students can follow one or two additional courses at another faculty. Click here for more information.
• Faculty of Aerospace Engineering requires a minimum of 51% of courses within AE, but strongly advises a minimum of 70%.
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science requires a minimum of 70% of courses within EEMCS.
• Faculty of Maritime, Mechanical and Materials Engineering requires a minimum of 70% of courses within 3ME.
• Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management requires a minimum of 51% of courses within TPM.
• Faculty of Applied Sciences requires a minimum of 51% of courses within AS.
TU Delft’s study guide (studyguide.tudelft.nl) outlines all available courses for 2023-2024. The study plan should be based on this current study guide. Minor changes may occur as the course catalogue is updated every May. Students are advised to carefully check in which period the courses they wish to follow will take place. A study guide manual is available to help. Students can also check per faculty which BSc courses are available to them by consulting the list of TU Delft courses taught in English.
For students enrolled in faculties not offering fixed course packages in case of exceptional circumstances, they are given a two-week period at the start of each semester to make any modification to study plans, pending that these changes are approved by all parties.
For these students TU Delft’s faculties cannot guarantee a place in any individual course as each course placement is subject to availability, the fulfilment of certain preconditions, and timetabling factors. We advise to be flexible and, before arrival at TU Delft, have alternative courses ready and approved by the home institution academic advisors.
Any further queries regarding courses can be emailed to your faculty exchange coordinator.
Examinations
Each student is expected to attend classes, submit assessments and sit final exams for all courses in which he/she is enrolled at TU Delft obtaining a minimum of 20 EC. They are expected to complete all examinations and assessments associated with any course/units/modules for which they register, regardless of the courses required for the transfer of credits to their Home Institution.
It is only possible to take examinations during the period of enrolment as an exchange student at TU Delft, after that, students cannot take examinations (including distance examinations). This means that re-sit exams taking place in the next semester are not available. No extensions to a student’s stay will be granted for this purpose.