Digital technology, Artificial Intelligence and data science are integral and essential parts of the 21st century mechanical engineering discipline. 21st century mechanical engineers must be versed in both the classical design and construction of complex mechanical systems, as well as the physical, mathematical and digital representation and analysis of these systems.
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering, we offer students a Masters degree programme in Mechanical Engineering that fits the needs of digital technology and digital society. The university is a unique place where engineering, natural sciences and social sciences meet to tackle urgent societal challenges. It prepares students for an international digital and high-tech career in industry.
The close collaboration with the Innovation Cluster Drachten, a cluster of high-tech companies in the north Netherlands, offers students a unique opportunity to be part of research and development teams where innovative high-tech systems, products and solutions are developed using cutting edge technologies. Some exemplary Mechanical Engineering design projects are the development of hydrogen refueling tank systems at Resato B.V., of sensor systems for radio astronomical applications at ASTRON, of robotic and data analytic solutions for the production and quality monitoring of consumer products at Philips Drachten, of mechatronics and robotics solutions for medical lab equipment at BD Kiestra B.V., along with many others. The programme plays a central role in the European Digital Innovation Hub - Autonomous Systems, in the Offshore Wind Innovation Centre, in the smart and green mobility centre of Hive.Mobility as well as in a number of other engineering initiatives in renewable energies and in smart and circular economies.
Mechanical Engineering in Groningen has a long-running tradition of top research. Exemplary research projects: nano- and microfabrication technology and advanced material at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) ; 3D metal printer, smart micro sensor and actuator systems, the Ocean Grazer project, smart energy systems, collaborative multi-robotic systems , digital twin and systems & control at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) ; r obotization in agriculture in the DigiAgro project ; advanced instrumentation systems at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) and the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute (KAI) ; and fuel-cell and hydrogen conversion at the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG) and ENTEG.
The mission of the master’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Groningen is:
To train and prepare students to apply principles of engineering, science and mathematics in the modelling, analysis, design and realization of physical systems, components and processes; special focus is on advanced instrumentation, smart factories, and smart and green energy savers.
Main compulsory courses
• Computational Solid Mechanics
• Introduction to Data Science
• Experimental Design
Advanced instrumentation
With the track-specific compulsory courses on Basic Detection Techniques , Analysis and Control of Smart Systems , and Advanced Instrumentation and Extreme Environments , you will learn the fundamental of detection technologies, gain knowledge on control systems that are crucial for high-precision of advanced instrumentation and understand state-of-the-art technologies in advanced instrumentation that can function under extreme environment, such as, cryogenic, ultra high vacuum or high temperature.
Additionally, in the advanced instrumentation track, you have the opportunity to follow five elective courses out of more than twenty elective courses. Examples of electives in this track include Space Mission Technology , Bio-signal Processing for Human Machine Interaction , Advanced Detection Techniques , Advanced Mechanical Dynamic Measurement , Advanced Vibration , Applied Optics , Opto-mechatronics , Medical Imaging Instrumentation , and many more.
Smart factories
Through the track-specific compulsory courses on Robotics , Advanced Processing for Complex Materials and Analysis and Control of Smart Systems , you will gain knowledge of crucial technology for smart factories in the era of Industry 4.0. You will learn the fundamentals of robotics and its control, understand techniques and methods relevant for processing of advanced and complex materials used in high-tech systems, and learn control systems required for the realization of smart factories.
Within this track, you will be able to specialize in Materials for Mechanical Engineering or in Robotics, Mechatronics and Smart Systems. In each specialization, you will be able to choose five elective courses from out of more than twenty elective courses. Examples of electives in this track include Multibody and Nonlinear Dynamics , Smart Materials for Engineering , TinyML: Machine Learning for Embedded Devices , Fracture of Materials , Composites and Metamaterials , Fitting Dynamical Models to Data , Data-driven Optimization and many more.
Smart and Green Energy Systems
The track-specific compulsory courses on Thermodynamics of Energy Conversion , Electrochemical Systems and Engineering , and Advanced Process and Energy Technologies allow the students to understand the fundamentals of thermodynamics involved in the energy conversion of smart and green energy systems, to learn various advances in electrochemical engineering involved in batteries, electrolysers and fuel cells, and to gain state-of-the-art knowledge of process and energy technologies.
You will be able to choose five elective courses out of more than fifteen elective courses which allows you to specialize in processes and electrochemical systems or in renewable energy systems. Examples of electives in this track include Microfluidics , Hydrogen, Fuels and Electrolysers , Fuel-Cell Systems , Engineering Design Integration , Capita Selecta in Ocean Energy, and many more.
In the first year of the programme, you will follow a total of twelve courses. These consist of three core courses (Computational Solid Mechanics, Introduction to Data Science, Experimental Design), three are track-specific compulsory courses and six are track-specific electives.
Please find detailed information about the curriculum here:
| CoursesCourse Catalog > |
|---|
| 3 track specific compulsory courses (15 EC) |
| 5 track specific elective courses (25 EC) |
| Computational Solid Mechanics (5 EC) |
| Elective course in Business, Management and Society (5 EC) |
| Experimental Design (5 EC) |
| Introduction to Data Science (5 EC) |
In the second year of the programme, you will perform a Design Project and a Research Project. The Design Project takes place at a company or research institute outside of the University of Groningen (in the Netherlands or abroad) to provide you with work experience closely related to the kind of job you will do after graduation. The Research Project takes place at a research group within the University of Groningen and is meant to equip you with key research experience and skills.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Advanced Instrumentation (track) The education in the Advanced Instrumentation track focusses on two major themes. The first theme is on the advanced instrumentation for healthcare, in collaboration with researchers based at Faculty of Medical Sciences and Center for Advanced Radiation Technology that develops advanced instrumentation for various fields of scientific research as well as for healthcare (proton therapy). The second theme is on the advanced instrumentation for astronomy and space research. The theme is developed together with researchers based at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) and at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute. Please see Ocasys: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60439-5011 |
| Smart Factories (track) This track is developed together with high-tech companies associated to the Innovation Cluster Drachten. The Smart Factories track offers two specializations that are coupled to two excellent research activities at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The first specialization focuses on Materials for Mechanical Engineering where students learn on the computation and engineering of advanced materials, understanding the interactions at multi-scale levels crucial for the intended functionalities of the materials, and the associated advanced processing of such materials. Researchers from the Engineering and Technology institute Groningen (ENTEG) and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) are involved in this specialization. The second specialization focuses on Robotics, Mechatronics & Smart Systems where students learn on advanced technologies in the development of robotics, opto-mechatronics and many other smart sensor & actuator systems used in high-tech systems. These technologies are geared towards the factories of the future: intelligent, connected and customized production processes with intelligent, connected and customized products.The courses are given by researchers from the Engineering and Technology institute of Groningen (ENTEG). Please see Ocasys: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60439-5012 |
| Smart and Green Energy Systems (track) In this track, two main themes can be chosen, both of which offers advanced technologies crucial for the energy transition in different domains. The first theme is closely related to the hydrogen-based energy transition where a line of knowledge chain in electrochemical technologies is formulated. Various courses related to fuel-cell systems, electrolysers, thermodynamics and process design for energy systems are offered in this theme. This theme is coupled to the ambition of the region in becoming the hydrogen hub of Europe. The second theme is related to engineering and technologies of renewable energy systems where the students can deepen their knowledge in specific renewable energy systems. The students can learn technologies in wind energy, wave energy, solar energy, ocean energy and smart energy systems. This track involves mainly researchers from Engineering and Technology institute of Groningen (ENTEG) and Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). Please see Ocasys: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60439-5015 |
Either the design project or the research project can be done abroad.
All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with the following Bachelor's degree may apply: From Research Universities in the Netherlands:
From Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands:
|
| other admission requirements |
In order to register for the programme you need to file an application for admission before the application deadline listed under the heading application deadlines. See: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/nl-diploma/1 |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of
Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Mechatronics | All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Mechanical Engineering | All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of
Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Mechatronics | All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering and Management | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
With PTL track + ME Minor package, SPE track via premaster. |
| Applied Physics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
You need to take the following courses in order to be admissible to the programme: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Solid Mechanics |
| Astronomy | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
You need to take the following courses in order to be admissible to the programme: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Solid Mechanics, Control Engineering, Principles of Measurement Systems, and Statistical Signal Processing |
| Applied Mathematics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
You need to take the following courses in order to be admissible to the programme: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Solid Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, Control Engineering, Thermodynamics |
| Physics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
You need to take the following courses in order to be admissible to the programme: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Control Engineering, Numerical Methods (for IEM), Solid Mechanics |
| Chemical Engineering | University of Groningen | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
| Biomedical Engineering | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:Premaster 15-20 EC. Subjects: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics or Control Engineering, Fluid Dynamics/Physical Transport Phenemona (WBIE061-05) (for the Smart and Green Energy Systems track). |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Physics | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Mathematics | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Applied Mathematics | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Astronomy | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Physics and Astronomy | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Physics and Astronomy (joint degree) | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Applied Physics | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Please contact the academic advisor for more information: academicadvisor.me rug.nl |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | Delft University of Technology | No additional requirements |
The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.
Do you prefer an early decision on your request of admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course start on 1 September). If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:
Application - Decision:
1 December– 15 January
1 February – 1 March
15 March – 15 April
1 May - 15 June
Please fill out the checklist to describe your pre-education.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| additional subject |
The Admissions Board will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme, based on your credentials. |
| knowledge minimum |
Students with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or related might be accepted. In addition, the student needs to have sufficient experience with a complete mechanical systems design process. BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/intl-diploma/ for all the necessary information about the application procedure and fill out the checklist (https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/nl-diploma/me-checklist.docx) to describe your previous education to submit together with your application. |
| language test |
Make sure to find out whether you meet the Faculty of Science and Engineering's language requirements. See: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements |
The Admissions Board will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.
Please fill out the checklist to describe your pre-education.
Do you prefer an early decision on your request of admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course start on 1 September).
If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:
Application - Decision:
1 December– 15 January
1 February – 1 March
15 March – 15 April
1 May - 15 June
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
After your studies you can perform a wide range of jobs. Jobs can be found in Research and Development departments of high-tech companies, at design and construction companies, in engineering consultancy, or at research institutes. The type of job ranges from technical leadership positions to management positions. Other possibilities include performing a PhD project at a university or starting your own company. Roughly 10% of our graduates continue their studies as PhD students. Moreover, our graduates are also eligible to continue their study in our new Engineering Doctorate Programme in Autonomous Systems .
According to the survey of Innovation Cluster Drachten, a cluster of high-tech companies in the north of Netherlands, the graduates of Mechanical Engineering are highly sought of. Current vacancies of high-tech positions within the cluster can be found here .
The Groningen Engineering Centre (GEC) plays a central role in all engineering research within the University of Groningen that coordinates engineering activities across different research institutes in the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE).
Mechanical Engineering related research departments within FSE are organized within Engineering and Technology Institute of Groningen (ENTEG) , Kapteyn Astronomical Institute (KAI) , Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG) and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) . These research institutes provide teaching staff and research facilities for the Master's degree programme in Mechanical Engineering.
