Microelectronics and Chip Design

The demand for qualified chip designers and talent is one of the biggest challenges facing the growth of the semiconductor industry in Europe and globally. Integrated circuits and systems are the backbone of modern digitalised societies, and the chip shortage crisis from 2020 to 2023 has highlighted their critical importance. Despite the efforts to boost chip production and expand manufacturing capabilities in Europe, there remains a significant gap in qualified professionals. While many universities offer microelectronics programmes, the demand for skilled chip designers continues to outpace supply. This new study programme is designed to address this skills gap, preparing students to become the next generation of experts in semiconductor design and technology. The Edu4Chip project tackles this challenge by developing a two-year Master's programme focused on chip design. The programme is offered by five top European universities , each delivering the curriculum independently. It is structured to encourage long-term collaboration among institutions and promote student exchange. A unique aspect of the programme is that every student will design and test a chip as part of their studies. The programme has clear learning objectives across three key areas: Knowledge and Understanding, Skills and Abilities, and Evaluation Capability. These objectives ensure that graduates acquire the necessary competencies to excel in the field.