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Master System Design

Master System Design

Your study programme

Get a good impression of what your study programme will look like.

What will you learn?

The part-time MSc in System Design at Fontys allows you to master system architecture, mechanics, and AI, preparing for roles in high-tech industries, all while balancing your professional commitments.

Student of Master System Design
  • Learn to think in conceptual and technical terms and have a holistic view on relevant technical disciplines.

  • Work on assignments for leading organizations in the Brainport region at large OEMs, medium-sized suppliers and also smaller sized industries.

  • Gain insight into your talents and what is needed in the industry, and enhance your career opportunities.

What will the next 3 years look like?

Enrol in the Fontys part-time Master System Design and accelerate your career while working. Focus on high-tech system design, gaining practical experience in the Brainport region. Partner with industry leaders like ASML, Philips, and VDL, enhance leadership abilities, and position yourself as a leader in innovative, global solutions.

From the start, you will choose a specialisation track to tailor your studies:

  • Systems Engineering: focus on managing complex, multi-component systems. Your projects will challenge you to design, integrate, and optimise systems across different disciplines.
  • Precision Engineering: focus on high-precision mechanical and mechatronic systems. You will work on projects that demand detailed engineering, accurate manufacturing, and innovative solutions.

Each track comes with track-specific electives and learning goals, so while all students share core courses, your projects and assignments will reflect the focus of your chosen track. This approach ensures that by the end of the program, you have both the breadth of systems knowledge and the depth in your specialization.

For the academic year 2025/2026, the teaching day for first-year students has been scheduled for Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For second-year students, classes will take place on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Student of master system design
Year 1 & 2
Eindhoven

Year 1 and 2

In the first year of the Master System Design, all students follow four core modules that provide a comprehensive foundation in topics such as system design, mechanics, electronics, and artificial intelligence. These modules ensure a solid understanding of the principles needed to tackle complex high-tech systems.

The programme focuses on real technical challenges in high-tech environments, emphasizing design, measurement, realization, and testing. Through modeling, simulation, and advanced sensor and design techniques, you will learn to analyze and optimize complex systems.

While the first-year modules are shared across all students, your track choice subtly shapes the focus of your learning and projects. Students following the Systems Engineering track will encounter content that emphasizes system integration, control engineering, and the interplay between hardware and software, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of large-scale systems. In contrast, the Precision Engineering track provides deeper attention to mechanical and mechatronic systems, including aspects such as materials, high-precision design, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Across both tracks, you will gain the technical skills and professional competencies, such as leadership, collaboration, and communication, needed to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, equipping you with the skills to enhance system stability, precision, and performance in dynamic and demanding settings.

student of master system design
year 1
Eindhoven

Year 1

Courses:

System Design: Architecture & Engineering: You are mainly concerned with the technical aspects required to successfully run, manage, design and implement (large) complex high-tech systems.

Mechanics / Design principles: Physical effects make it difficult to achieve predictability and reproducibility at high process rates. You will learn to analyze systems and manage these effects.

Dynamics / Thermo Mechanics: You are able to change the structure of a system to make it less dependent on dynamic forces and thermal disturbances. You are able to find solutions to dilemmas in accuracy versus speed in the construction of high-technology systems.

Data & Image Processing: You will gain an understanding of the way Neural Networks work. Neural Networks is covered within the domain of Artificial Intelligence.

Students of master system design
year 2
Eindhoven

Year 2

Modelling & Simulation: This course focuses on modelling techniques to optimize designs of high-precision dynamical systems based on simulation results.

Measurement systems, Sensors & Actuators: It is about designing a measurement system for high precision motion systems. The sensors data after being processed drive the active elements. The accuracy of this measurement data and the choice of the active elements and sensors define the capability and the performance of the whole system.

Innovation Engineering, Research Methods: Innovation perception, creativity, patent development and research methods enhances your conceptual skills.

Control Engineering: You can tune the structure of a system to ensure robust stability and performance by including knowledge of disturbances such as dynamic forces.

students of master system design
year 3
Eindhoven

Year 3

In your third year, you'll complete a final project at your current workplace, integrating your professional experience into your Master's thesis. Enhance leadership, innovation, and professional skills essential for system design engineers. You will focus on product innovation, developing a business plan & strategy roadmapping and decision making, project communication.

With guidance from industry experts, tackle real-world challenges and secure your role as a T-shaped professional in the tech industry.

Student experiences

‘This master programme taught me how to systematically integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to improve a system as a whole.’

Marieke

Student

‘After completing my Bachelor programme in Automotive Engineering, I wanted to broaden my perspective without diving into the full academic depth of a technological university. The MSc System Design programme appealed to me because of its T-shaped approach, combining broad interdisciplinary understanding with the opportunity to specialise in a specific field.

Automotive Engineering is already quite broad, but this master taught me how to systematically integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to improve a system as a whole. It’s not just about deepening your own expertise, it’s also about coordinating and supporting others so everything comes together in one coherent design. I’ve particularly enjoyed exploring Precision Engineering, which was new to me and incredibly insightful. I’m also continuing to develop in Systems Engineering, which I’ve learned grows not only through study but through experience in the field.

My advise for future students? Don’t underestimate the study load. It’s an intensive program that requires you to work independently and think critically. You’ll recognize many concepts from your previous education, but here you’ll explore them in greater depth. It’s challenging, but if you’re committed, it’s also extremely rewarding.’

Check all deadlines

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Go over the entire admission process.

Please note! If you wish to apply for housing through Fontys, the housing application deadline is June 15.

Master System Design

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Check out the entire admission process.

  • Start your orientation

    Have you attended a study orientation event already?

    Take a look at our orientation events
  • Application deadline

    Sept 1 (NL), May 15 (Non-EEA), Jun 15 (EEA)

    Apply through Studielink
  • Submit required files

    Submission and assessment of grade lists, diploma and proof of language. For non EEA-students: additional steps can be required.

  • Complete your payment

    The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation.

    Everything about finances
  • Arrange student housing

    Fontys can offer housing for a limited number of international students. Fill in the housing application form before the deadline (June 15).

    More info about housing
  • 31 August 2026

    Start study programme

Study choice events

You can sign up for online and live events throughout the academic year.

Open Day

Wondering if this programme is right for you? Visit our Open Day and find out! Meet students and teachers, learn more about the programme through presentations and take a walk around the campus. Check the full programme and register today!

Open day Master System Design

Saturday 25 October
10:00 - 16:00 CEST
De Rondom 1, Eindhoven

Keep me informed: Open day 18 January 2026

18 January 2026

Do you have a question?

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Ask Fontys Eindhoven your questions