Your programme at the School of Engineering and Automotive (AEA) is organised into various educational units (MRAs), which in turn are grouped into semesters (half-years). In each MRA, you take classes and practicals in a number of knowledge areas, and you carry out a project assignment with a group of fellow students.

How will you be trained?

Throughout your programme, you will be trained in professional skills, such as reporting and presenting. All MRAs are concluded with an exam or several partial exams, usually during the 4 exam weeks.

Propaedeutic phase (1st year)

You now start the “propaedeutic phase” (1st year) of your studies. In this year, you can earn 60 study credits. One credit equals 28 hours of study. This is an average indication. This is laid down by law.

In the propaedeutic year, many basic subjects are on the programme, such as (depending on the chosen study programme) mathematics, mechanics or networks with associated practicals. In addition, there are projects, designed to apply the knowledge and skills learned and also to teach you to work together in a planned way.

Have you passed all the exams of the propaedeutic phase? Then you will complete this phase and have passed your propaedeutic phase, for which you will receive a certificate.

Post-propaedeutic phase (main phase)

The propaedeutic phase is followed by the “post-propaedeutic phase”, also called the “main phase”. In this phase, you deepen your knowledge and work towards the final qualifications of your bachelor’s programme.

Have you also passed all the exams of the post-propaedeutic phase? Then you close this phase and have passed your bachelor’s exam. You will then receive the bachelor’s degree certificate.

Freedom of choice and autonomy for you as a student (e.g. in projects, internships, graduation programmes)

• Working in the triangle: education – research – industry
• Collaboration in projects (also with students from other programmes within the AEA  School)
• Emphasis on sustainability, climate change and the energy transition (clean, smart and social)
• Research and an inquisitive attitude
• International orientation

Within your programme, you have several options and therefore space to profile yourself. You will work on real-life projects from the field and on relevant social issues, in which research plays an indispensable role. After the foundation year, prior to the start of the new semester, you choose the projects you want to work on in the various semesters. This gives you the opportunity to specialise or to receive generalist training.

English versus Dutch

A number of our programmes are also offered in English (Automotive Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems and Mechanical Engineering). Part of the education in the Dutch-language programmes is also offered in English. You will therefore also be in a mixed class later in the programme and do projects with students from Dutch-speaking classes. During your programme, attention will be paid to this.

This gives you advantages. International business has a great need for internationally educated students with an Engineering and Automotive background. Working with international students gives you extra opportunities for personal development and depth of study. It often even serves as a stepping stone to carry out your higher-year projects, internship, minor and/or graduation abroad.

Incidentally, Dutch students in the English-language bachelor’s programme are allowed to take their written tests in Dutch.

Source and photography: HAN  AEA