Program and curriculum

Overview

The Edu4Chip program is a two-year, cutting-edge Master's degree in advanced chip design, offered in partnership by the partner universities. It is designed to give you both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, the program's highlight is the Chip Design Tape-Out Project, where you will design, manufacture, and test your own chip. An opportunity you will not find in typical microelectronics programs.

Content

The program offers a blend of theory and practice and covers four areas.

Foundations

You will build a strong foundation in digital and analog design. Core courses introduce you to the principles of chip architecture, circuit design, and essential tools used in the industry.

Front-end design

You will dive deeper into front-end design topics, gaining advanced knowledge in areas like system-on-chip integration, verification techniques, and preparing for the chip design project.

Back-end design

Specialized courses focus on back-end design and physical design. This is when you will begin working on the practical stages of the tape-out project, bringing your chip design to life.

Master's thesis

The final stage is dedicated to your Master’s thesis, often in collaboration with industry partners. You'll finalize your tape-out project, and after manufacturing, test and evaluate your chip.

Flexibility and international exchange

Edu4Chip is all about flexibility. You can tailor your learning experience by choosing from a wide range of specialized courses at each partner university. Want to focus on digital design in one unversity, then dive into analog circuits in another? The program allows you to do just that. Student exchange opportunities make it easy to take advantage of each university’s strengths, ensuring you get the most out of your education.

Implementation at the partner universities

Each partner university integrates Edu4Chip within its existing curriculum, customizing the program according to local regulations and academic structures. Here is how Edu4Chip is implemented across the universities:

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

A new master's program, Microelectronics and Chip Design, is being developed with two specialization tracks—Analog/Mixed-Signal and Digital Design. The program heavily features the chip design tape-out project, which spans four semesters.

Visit TUM program page

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

The program is integrated into the existing Embedded Systems Master’s program, particularly within the Embedded Electronics track. KTH emphasizes System-on-Chip design, where students work on all aspects of the design flow, from specification to tape-out.

Visit KTH program page

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Edu4Chip is integrated into the existing Computer Science and Engineering MSc program, specifically within the "Digital Systems" specialization. Students from various specializations can participate in Edu4Chip courses as electives.

Visit DTU program page

Tampere University (TAU)

Edu4Chip is part of the existing Master’s Programme in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in System-on-Chip Design. Students undertake chip design projects focused on front-end and back-end design, with strong industry collaboration.

Visit TAU program page

Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT)

The program is offered in the last two years of IMT Mines Saint-Etienne’s ISMIN engineering curriculum, and is focused on digital or analog design through a dedicated ASIC track. IMT is also developing a new post-master’s program in Microelectronics Circuit Design (starting October 2025).

Visit IMT program page

Course curriculum

Content expected early 2025.