MSc in Systems and Control
Groningen, Netherlands
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2027*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 24,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch, EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** non-EU/EEA | EU/EEA: € 2695/year
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
How do we keep satellites in orbit, stabilise the energy grid, or design safe autonomous vehicles? What does it take to control complex systems in a rapidly changing technological world? If you are interested in how systems interact with their environment from robotics and energy networks to biomedical devices and spaceflight, the Master's degree in Systems and Control at the University of Groningen provides the tools to analyse, design, and manage these systems.
What to expect from the Master's in Systems and Control
- Analyze and design dynamical systems in engineering, biology, and beyond
- Master mathematical modelling, control theory, and systems engineering
- Apply your knowledge to real-world challenges in research and industry
- Study in a highly international and multidisciplinary environment
The Master’s degree in Systems and Control focuses on understanding and controlling complex dynamical systems by breaking them down into networks of simpler components. You will learn how inputs (via actuators) and outputs (via sensors) shape the behaviour of systems across fields such as robotics, energy, healthcare, and transportation. The program is grounded in mathematics and engineering, and it is interdisciplinary with connections to biology, medicine, economics, and the social sciences.
This international two-year program trains you in both theory and application, preparing you for careers in the high-tech industry, research and innovation, or doctoral study.
Research
This Master's program is a research-oriented master's program, which means that the lectures are taught by active researchers who continuously update the course content to reflect the recent advances in the field.
Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to work on an individual research project during the second year under the supervision of one or more researchers from the research groups within the Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control.
- You learn from internationally-leading experts in Systems and Control
- You can choose between more fundamental, mathematical courses and more application-oriented courses
- You benefit from the close collaboration between applied mathematics and engineering within the Faculty of Science and Engineering
- You gain hands-on experience through a design project within a company or an international research institution
- In the Netherlands, you will be entitled to use the title of ir (ingenieur)
A Master’s degree in Systems and Control opens up many interesting job opportunities. Your ability to analyse complex systems or networks in a multidisciplinary environment and your knowledge of available methods to control such systems make you a highly sought-after employee in both established high-tech companies and technology start-ups. You could also deepen your theoretical knowledge by pursuing a PhD in Systems and Control at the University of Groningen or at another internationally leading university in the field of systems and control
Examples of companies regularly hiring students with a systems and control background are ASML, Philips, Tennet, and many companies within the Innovation Center Drachten. Examples of research institutions are the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) and TNO.
Curriculum
This is a 2-year master's program, where in the first year you will follow 5 core courses and 7 elective courses (5 ECTS each), while in the second year you will participate in a design project (20 ECTS) and a research project (40 ECTS).
The majority of courses will be taught by staff members of the Jan C. Willems Center of Systems and Control, which encompasses the following research groups:
- Systems, Control and Optimization (SCO), Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Discrete Technology and Production Automation (DTPA), Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG)
- Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS), ENTEG
- Optimization and Decision Systems (ODS), ENTEG
Furthermore, the final research project will be carried out within one of these groups.
Extracurricular activities
In addition to this master's program, you can apply for the extracurricular FSE High Tech Systems and Materials Honours Master (1.5 years, 20 ECTS), developed in close collaboration with industry. This program offers multidisciplinary collaboration, hands-on product development for a company, masterclasses and workshops from experts. Upon completion, you will receive a mention on your diploma supplement.
BYOD Policy
Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes.
Study abroad
- Study abroad is unaccommodated