Electrical and Electronic Engineering — Advanced Sensor Applications

Study a Bachelor's in Sensor Technology in the Netherlands

The 240 ECTS Sensor Technology programme consists of four years: one introductory year and a three-year main phase. Each year is composed of two semesters. Students are taught through theoretical classes and a wide range of practical labs. Project group work is an intrinsic part of each semester, whereby small groups of students work together on tasks. In addition to classroom examinations, designing working prototypes, demonstrations and presentations are crucial to accomplishing each semester. The possibilities seem endless. There is a range of about 500 different sensors that students may use to implement in their project work. A practical instructor is present every afternoon to support creative ideas. Also, students are allowed to work independently in our biology, chemistry and electronics/ICT labs. Students are allowed to use the 3D printers, laser cutter, PCB milling machine and DNA analysers.

Sensor technology is everywhere

The Sensor Technology programme creates professionals with a great understanding of ICT and electronics. All graduates have a large amount of technical knowledge, broad professional skills and entrepreneurial experience, by the time the programme has been completed. The programme revolves around the utilisation of existing sensors. Smart cities, smart mobility, smart industry, smart phones, smart watches ... Everywhere, sensors and their data are helping. Also in health care, sports, agriculture and the energy sector. Even in places you don’t expect. During the programme students participate in applied research through the application of sensors in order to develop and improve existing appliances, products and services, for instance in the fields of healthcare, energy, leisure and  robotics.

First year

The semesters of the first year focus on healthcare and energy, respectively. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects related to sensor technology, electronics, mathematics, computer programming, biology and chemistry, as well as extensive English and professional skills lessons. Students gain the knowledge required to enter the main phase of the programme.

Second year

The main phase of the bachelor’s programme begins in the second year. Subjects are based on the themes around monitoring and control, signal processing and robotics. Examples of subjects you will have in this year are modelling and simulation, robotics, object oriented programming, data communication in sensor networks and control theory.

Third year

The third year provides students with more in-depth knowledge regarding sensors. The socially relevant nature of each semester becomes more apparent by solving sensor related problems for external customers. Students are also able to make the programme more personal during the third year. This year is centred around the themes Research and Development and Internet of Things. In the third year you will also start a student company with students from other bachelor programmes.

Fourth year

In the final year of the bachelor’s programme students can specialise in one of the following areas: Research and Development or Entrepreneurship. The focus area Research and Development strengthens the practical skills required for system engineering and integration jobs when employed by a company with sensor-intensive interests. The focus area Entrepreneurship strengthens the entrepreneurial skills required for starting a new business in the sensor application field. During the first semester students complete a minor related to their specialisation. This is followed in the second semester by a graduation project at a national or international company
or organisation. After successful completion of the bachelor’s programme, graduating students are awarded an internationally recognised Bachelor of Science degree.

Both Dutch and international students are welcome to apply for the bachelor’s programme. International students need to have completed their secondary school qualifications, which need to be equivalent to the Dutch HAVO diploma. Mathematics and physics are also needed for entry into both programmes. As Sensor Technology is taught in English, you may have to prove your English language proficiency, depending on your educational background and nationality.

Tuition Fees 2018-2019

EU/EEA students: € 2,060 
Non-EU/EEA students: € 7,700

Careers prospects

Many of our graduates will be employed in areas where the emphasis is on creating new systems, and therefore will become Technical Designers. A smaller number of the graduates become Technical Advisors. There will also be graduates who may become Project Leaders or Academic Researchers. You may even use the entrepreneurial skills you have developed to set up your own company.

Hanze UAS Master's Programmes

Another possibility is to continue with a master’s programme, like Sensor System Engineering. The master’s programme concentrates on finding relevant information and services in big data, moving from a proof of concept to a prototype.