Next Level Engineering – a multidisciplinary master’s program for a field with complex challenges

This challenging program focuses on the future professional field and is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach. A field with complex issues requires engineers with broad training, who look beyond their own discipline and possess so‑called transdisciplinary skills. Program manager Wianda Visser, lecturer Caroline Mok, and students Erik, Jun Kit, and Luuc share more about the master’s program.  

“The master’s program started because of a clearly growing demand from the sector”, explains program manager Wianda Visser. “The way of working where everyone handles just one part of a process, and then someone else takes another part, those issues have simply become too complex. Companies are really looking for people who can combine disciplines, and partners from the field brought that request to us. We entered into discussions with those partners, who also contributed to the curriculum. Then, with a small proactive team, we set out to develop this master’s program.”  

That was about four years ago, and the third cohort of students is now enrolled. The curriculum focuses primarily on working with key technologies such as data science, 3D printing, robotics, and photonics, as well as research, design, and collaboration in transdisciplinary teams. The program content has remained fairly consistent in these first years, but the assignments change annually. “We have a curriculum that can adapt well to the assignments students receive, which always come directly from the professional field. It’s complex and dynamic. We work with current projects and never reuse last year’s material”, Wianda adds.  

The ‘Next Level Engineering’ master’s program is closely connected to the six research groups of the faculty. These groups also provide the assignments students work on. In addition, the program has an Advisory Board that advises on content, research, and assignments. Excursions further strengthen the link with industry. Often these companies are already clients or may become so. “As soon as I explain how broad our master’s program is, companies become more interested in working with our students”, Wianda says proudly.  

Focus on the semiconductor industry

What’s new this year is the addition of semiconductors as a key technology. Caroline explains that this subject is richly integrated into the study program. “We organize guest lectures by professionals from the field and regularly arrange excursions to companies in the semiconductor sector. We also carry out assignments and experiments directly related to semiconductor processes, such as chip manufacturing.” In this way, the master’s program aligns well with the broader effort to attract more talent to the semiconductor industry through the Beethoven Zuid-Holland program.  

Students choose breadth

The broad scope of the program is something students find appealing. Erik, Jun Kit, and Luuc all highlight this aspect. Erik initially wanted to specialize in mechanical engineering, but when he discovered that ‘Next Level Engineering’ had a much broader focus, he immediately found it more interesting. “I see this as a way to reach a management or project leader role sooner. This master’s program, with its multidisciplinary approach, is very useful to have completed.”  

Jun Kit and Luuc both studied applied physics and were also looking for ways to broaden their expertise during their master’s. “I’m doing this master’s so that I won’t only be specialized in optical technology, but also gain knowledge in other fields. I also just enjoy working with different subjects and techniques”, says Jun Kit. Luuc adds that he finds broadening himself much more enjoyable than only deepening his expertise. “Through a classmate’s brother I learned more about this master’s program, and I quickly became enthusiastic. Everyone is an expert in their own field, but by bringing all these people together, we can broaden ourselves significantly. That’s what I’m enjoying right now.”  

A solid professional master’s for the future

Wianda hopes to see steady growth in the coming years. “We currently have 29 students, and I hope that in about five years we’ll have a cohort of 60 to 70 students, with our team still closely involved in the assignments and with a large learning community, ideally including some international partners.”  

At present, this community already helps students find jobs easily, often with one of the program’s industry partners. Other students continue their studies in research and/or pursue a PhD. Graduates of Next Level Engineering are in demand because of the highly valued multidisciplinary approach. Caroline hopes the program will become increasingly well-known, so that students can secure even stronger positions in the industry.  

Finally, Wianda adds that she hopes the position of professional master’s programs in the Netherlands will improve. “Professional master’s students are trained for applied research, and there is a growing need for that in industry. We are working to ensure that this master’s program, together with all the other programs offered by my colleagues here and at other universities of applied sciences, helps strengthen that position.” She also expects continued close collaboration with alumni, who can further enhance direct connections with industry.