You probably use chip technology every day without even thinking about it.
Your smartphone, laptop, car, medical devices and even the machines used to manufacture other technologies all rely on chips.
As these technologies become smaller, smarter and more powerful, the semiconductor industry is growing fast – and so is the demand for people who know how to design, develop and apply them.
So, if you’re thinking about a tech career, there’s a good question to ask:
What should you study to get there?
There’s no single path into chip technology
You might think that working with chips means studying Electrical Engineering or Physics.
But chip technology is much more than that.
It brings together physics, chemistry, electronics, materials science, computer science, engineering, robotics and even mathematics. That means there are different ways to enter the industry, depending on what you’re interested in.
At the University of Twente, for example, several Master’s programmes can lead you towards a career in chip technology.
Into the science behind chips?
A Master’s in Applied Physics can take you into areas such as nanophotonics, materials science and quantum physics – helping you understand the fundamental principles behind semiconductor technology.
More interested in building the technology?
With Electrical Engineering, you can explore areas such as integrated circuit design, semiconductor devices, nanoelectronics and power electronics.
Or, if you’re fascinated by what happens at the smallest possible scale, Nanotechnology lets you work with materials and devices at the nanoscale, with access to facilities such as the universities’ NanoLab and cleanroom.
Prefer the software side?
Chips need software to actually do something.
A Master’s in Embedded Systems combines hardware and software, covering areas such as system-on-chip design and embedded AI. Computer Science can also take you towards the software-hardware interface, from embedded code to AI and real-time systems.
Want to see what chips can make possible?
You can also approach chip technology from the application side.
With Robotics, for example, you can work on intelligent systems that rely on sensors, processors and embedded technology. Other programmes, such as Sustainable Energy Technology, explore how chip-based technologies can be used in smart grids and renewable energy systems.
And these are just some of the options.
Find your path into chip technology
The great thing about chip technology is that you don’t have to follow a single academic path to become part of it.
Whether you’re interested in physics, engineering, software, robotics, energy or mathematics, there is a Master’s programme that connects your interests with one of Europe’s most exciting technology sectors.
The University of Twente offers 11 Master’s programmes relevant to chip technology, each approaching the field from a different perspective. Find the one that fits your interests.
Your future in chip technology might start with a degree you didn’t expect.