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Joint International Master in Smart Systems Integrated Solutions
USN, together with Aalto University in Finland and Budapest University of Technology and Economics, offers a joint master’s degree in microsystems and microelectronics.
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Closing dates: Application deadlines: Applicants from outside EU/EAA: 10 January. Applicants from EU/EEA and Nordic countries: 15 April
Study facts
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Campus: Vestfold -
Study level: Master's degree -
Progression of study: Full time -
Start up: Autumn 2025 -
Teaching model: Off Campus and On Campus -
Credits: 120 -
Closing dates: Application deadlines: Applicants from outside EU/EAA: 10 January. Applicants from EU/EEA and Nordic countries: 15 April -
Application code: 7120 -
Semesters: 4 -
Teaching Language: English -
Number of students: 15
Why study Smart Systems Integrated Solutions?
Our world is today witnessing a digital revolution that is having a profound impact on the way we live and on how we work. The key enablers that lie at the heart of this transformation are Smart Systems, which provide not only technology solutions to today’s societal, environmental and economic challenges, but also open new business opportunities and fields of application to our European industry.
Systems become smaller and smarter and are connected to the internet whilst sensing the physical world around us. The increasing amount of data that these devices are generating need to be interfaced to many non-technical users. Hence, decision making capabilities related to operation would be required, as well as a safe protocol for information delivery, system stability, correct data transmission, as well as the use of encryption protocols securing their privacy of use. These and more to follow are all aspects that students with a degree in Smart Systems Integration Solutions (SSIs) would need to master.
Find out more about SSis (external website)
Where can I work?
You can work as an engineer within the diversity of smart systems, both in industry, in academia and in research institutions.
In businesses that develop and produce smart systems, you can work within product development, manufacturing technology, production management, quality management and project management. In companies employing smart systems, you can work within business development, marketing and sales, project management, research and development and technical consulting.
Working with the local business community
The programme includes the most current industrial clusters as associated partners at Norwegian and European level: European Platform on Smart Systems (EPoSS) and Norwegian Centre of Expertise, Micro- and Nanotechnologies (NCE-MNT). This enables visits to relevant industries, guest speakers from the business community, as well as opportunities to take the master project in an industrial company in Norway or elsewhere in Europe.
What you will learn
Smart systems are an increasingly important part of our everyday lives. Our mobile phones are full of different functions that needs to work together. A car can brake to avoid collision even if the driver is inattentive, and it has integrated systems for safety, engine performance, efficiency, navigation, comfort and entertainment. We are also not far away from mass production of driverless cars.
Within medicine, smart systems integration provides faster, safer and cheaper diagnosis of diseases, and implantable devices can increase the life quality for many patients. Within aerospace, it gives us safer and more environmentally friendly flights, satellite communications and research results from other planets. Such innovations will continue in most areas of society. All this is possible through knowledge in how smart systems are built, primarily through the integration of microsystems and microelectronics to complete systems.
The Master's in Smart Systems Integration (SSI) provides precisely this knowledge. It is a two-year engineering programme in cooperation between the three institutions, each with their own specialty.
Gain international experience
The first semester is carried out at Aalto in Helsinki, Finland. The second semester takes place at USN in Vestfold, Norway. The third semester is with BME in Budapest, Hungary. These three semesters have taught subjects, taking advantage of the complementary expertise at the three institutions. The fourth semester is the master project, where you will be equally divided between the consortium partners, or with industrial or academic partners, thus taking advantage of a broad range of possibilities for specialisation.
Further studies
A master's degree in SSIs is a good starting point for further doctoral studies. At USN, the PhD Programme in Technology is particularly relevant. Aalto offers a Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering and other relevant PhD programmes. A wide variety of universities throughout the Europe and the world offer PhD programmes where a master's degree in SSIs is competitive. BME offers 38 degree programs to Stipendium Hungaricum students.
Participation costs
Students from EU/EEA: 3450€ per academic year
Students from outside EU/EEA: 7600€ per academic year
Tuition fee covers expenses related to lectures, guidance, supervision and exams.
Study Plan
A study plan describes the content, structure and organization of a study programme. To each study plan there is a set of course plans that describe the different courses. In the course plan you will also find a reading list. Below you will find a study model that shows you which courses that are taught in each term. In the study model you'll also find links to each course plan.
Study model
Special considerations
Application documents requested:
- Certified copy of the Bachelor’s degree and transcript of records, with an English translation.
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Proof of level of competency in English.
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Letter of Motivation outlining the student’s rationale and motivation for wanting to undertake the programme.
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Curriculum Vitae.
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Two letters of reference or recommendation, preferably from academic staff at the University or institute that awarded the Bachelor’s degree.
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Proof of nationality.
Admission requirements
- Excellence of the candidate: The admission requirement is a Bachelor Degree (equiv. 180 ECTS) in electrical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering or a closely related discipline. The candidate is expected to possess outstanding achievements in his/her bachelor degree, equivalent to a B or above in the ECTS system and no less than C. Students also need to provide evidence of courses in Electronics (e.g. by means of course descriptions).
- Language ability: With teaching being given in English, the candidates must demonstrate sound knowledge of English. The requirement for competence in English is IELTS 6.5 with no component lower than 6.0 or TOFEL ibt (92) with no components lower than 22 (or a PTE-A, MELAB, Cambridge or TELC test with CEFR level C1).
- Student motivation: Strong motivation and relevance to the candidate’s professional development is essential to undertake the Masters programme, and should be demonstrated in the compulsory Letter of Motivation.
- Gender balance: For applicants having similar qualifications, the minority gender will be preferred.