FAQ
Admission
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You have to apply before the 15th of January as CSE is a so-called Numerus Clausus programme with a fixed capacity. Make sure to check whether you meet the admission requirements before you apply. Applicants need to participate in the Matching and Selection procedure. Based on the outcome of this procedure applicants with a ranking number within our maximum will automatically receive a (conditional) offer through Studielink. If you are offered a spot, you need to accept this within 2 weeks in Studielink. You may need to upload certain documents before specific deadlines to demonstrate that you have met the entry requirements. Make sure to check Studielink on a regular basis, to see whether you have completed your registration.
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Enrolment for the upcoming academic year is only possible through the Dutch national enrolment system Studielink before the 15th of January. After the 15th of January enrolment for all Numerus Clausus programmes is closed for the upcoming academic year. If you are too late, you have to check whether you can apply at a different university, reconsider the programme of your choice or wait another year. Please note that correct enrolment does not guarantee a spot, this is dependent on how well you do in comparison to the other applicants in the Matching and Selection procedure.
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Students with a foreign diploma are only admissible for the English track, unless they can show a Dutch language proficiency certificate. You can find more information about the language requirements here. The English track is fully taught in English.
Extra-curricular
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An internship is not part of the CSE curriculum. TU Delft also does not sign contracts for internships outside the curriculum. As an alternative to an internship, you will follow the Software Project in year 2 where you will have the opportunity to carry out an assignment for an external company.
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Yes, you can decide to go on exchange in the first semester of your third year, provided you meet the requirements.
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More information about the Honours Programme can be found here.
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You may have heard of the solar challenge down under, but there are many other interesting dream teams out there too!
Differences between other programmes and universities
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Computer Science and Engineering is offered at the following universities in the Netherlands: Eindhoven University of Technology, Twente University and TU Delft. The content of the bachelor programmes are very similar. However, each university has its own specialisations. The Master degrees that are offered and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the elective courses in the Bachelor, provide a good indication of these specialisations. Educational philosophies can differ, for example the 'Twente Education Model' combines its courses in themes and project modules. The programmes also differ per university in atmosphere and character. To find out what suits you best, it is advisable to participate in the information activities, for example the open days.
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At TU Delft you will learn to tackle and solve problems on an academic, more analytical level. You use theories to answer questions like, "Why was this done this way?", "Is there a better way to do it?" and 'Can I prove that my current method is the optimal way?'. At an applied university, the courses offered are more hands-on and more focused on learning and applying commonly used programming languages, while at a university you may learn the underlying principles of programming languages. This makes it easier to learn new programming languages in the future and maybe even develop new ones. The programmes also differ per institution in terms of atmosphere and character. To find out what suits you best, it is advisable to participate in the information activities, for example the open days.
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Few students are able to combine two programmes, because this requires a lot of planning, perseverance and commitment. However, if you're considering this, we recommend checking out the curricula and schedules of both programmes to see what a regular week would look like. You can consult the Study Guide to gain more insight into the courses you will need to take. If you are interested, we advise you to draw up a study plan and to contact the study advisors of both programs to discuss your planning. Please note that we cannot adapt the program to your needs, so you will have to find a way to combine both programmes.
Matching & Selection
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Candidates who have been diagnosed with a learning disability and/or are experiencing extenuating circumstances which influencing their abilities, can request extra time for the CST (selection test). You can apply for extra time by sending an email to selectie-esa@tudelft.nl, between 15 January and before Friday 7 February 10:00 CET.
Request need to be supported with official documentation (e.g. medical or psychological statement) in English or in Dutch. Requests must obtain the following information:
- Reason for applying extra time;
- Your Full Name, TU Delft Student number and the study you applied for: CSE;
- In the subject line of your email: ‘Extension of exam time – selection procedure CSE’;
- In attachment add a digital scan of your official medical statement bearing your diagnosis. If the official documentation is not in Englisch or Dutch, an official translation of the document must be supplied as well.
The supporting documentation must meet the following requirements:
Dyslexia
- Your dyslexia statement must meet the criteria of the Dyslexia Foundation of the Netherlands (SDN) and has to be dated and signed by a recognized body.
Other (learning) disability
- Your medical document must be signed and dated by a recognized body, for example a doctor, physician, psychologist or psychiatrist;
- Your medical document must contain information which confirms your disability and the structural nature.
Temporary circumstance(s)
- Your medical document must be signed and dated by a recognized body, for example a doctor, physician, psychologist or psychiatrist;
- Your medical document must contain information which confirms your circumstance(s) and the influence it has on your abilities (for example: less able to concentrate).
You will receive the outcome of your request in the week after the submission deadline.
Request will be handled by the student counsellors, who can consult the Committee if necessary, taking into account the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW) and the Teaching and Examination Regulations BSc CSE (TER).
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When you are offered a spot, you need to accept this within 2 weeks in Studielink. You also need to make sure that you meet the admission requirements and finalize your registration. You may need to upload certain documents before specific deadlines to demonstrate that you have met the entry requirements. Make sure to check Studielink on a regular basis, to see whether you have completed your registration.
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If you do well on the Matching & Selection procedure you have 2 weeks to accept the spot that has been offered. If you decide to change your mind and take a gap year, please be aware that you cannot change the start date of your studies and keep your spot. You will then have used an opportunity and will have to apply and participate in the entire Matching & Selection procedure again.
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To ensure that there is a fit between the student and the programme all Dutch universities are required by Dutch law to issue a Binding Study Advice. At TU Delft this means that you have to obtain at least 45/60 ECTS in your first year. You will have 12 courses in total, divided over 4 quartiles. If you pass a course, you will obtain 5 ECTS, which means that you have to pass at least 75% of your first year courses. If you do not obtain 45 ECTS, you will not be allowed to re-register for this programme at TU Delft for the coming four years.
In previous years the number of students who are allowed to continue with the programme and have thus received a positive BSA is on average about 65% of the students (excluding the students who quit before the 1st of February). Through the Matching & Selection procedure we try to ensure that candidates who join the BSc CSE are better prepared and are more likely to obtain their BSA. Please note that students who obtain 45 ECTS in their first year are likely to take 4 years to obtain their BSc degree.
Practical information programme
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The programme consists of two tracks that have different entry requirements. For the English track, you only have to meet the English language requirements. All lectures, lab sessions, literature and exams are offered in English. In the Bilingual (Dutch-English) track you must meet the Dutch and English language requirements. Various parts of the programme are also offered in Dutch. However, the curriculum and lectures are the same for both tracks. Even though the official language is English, the TU Delft is located in the Netherlands and while the Dutch consistently score high in international rankings with their English language skills, the official language is Dutch. For that reason we recommend students to take a Dutch language course in summer prior to the start of the academic year, to make you feel more at home.
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TU Delft has a range of computer rooms, but you are expected to have your own laptop. You will need a laptop for laboratory courses and projects, and it is also useful for self-study. The laptop project at TU Delft enables you to buy a good laptop at a discount and also comes with IT support. Here you can also find which laptop and operating system are required for CSE.
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Each week you’ll have lectures, lab sessions, work in groups and spend a considerable amount of time on self-study. The programmes offered at TU Delft are challenging and demand a lot of your time and energy. Most students easily spend 40 hours or more on their studies. You can find the current timetable as well as an overview of the academic year and when holidays are scheduled.
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All first year students take part in the mentorship programme where you will receive guidance and support in small groups. Attention is paid to study skills and you can discuss problems or concerns with each other. It is a great way to become acquainted with each other, the programme and TU Delft.
If you want to discuss your progress, study planning or personal matters, you can consult one of the academic counsellors. Students with a functional disability, such as a physical disability, dyslexia or an autism spectrum disorder are recommended to contact the academic counsellor prior to the start of the academic year.
TU Delft also organises various workshops and trainings which focus on personal growth, as well as and offers the possibility of talking to a student psychologist if needed.
Practical information
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Please note that your studies will take up the majority of your time. Study weeks of 40 hours or even more are common for students at TU Delft. For some this means that having a side job is not realistic, others may want to use their programming skills with side job, which is easier to find if you also speak Dutch. Make sure to double check whether you need a work permit and if there is a restriction in the number of hours that you are allowed to work.
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If you’re interested in studying in the Netherlands and want to know more about the Dutch educational system and all kinds of practical matters, like cost of living, we recommend to check Study in Holland, which has been developed by the Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for international education.
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We recommend to ensure that you have sufficient funds available to cover your daily living expenses as well as your tuition fee and books. Remember that prices fluctuate and exchange rates change, moreover most students spend a lot of time on their studies, which leaves little or no time for a side job.
Keep in mind that it is quite common for students to take four years to complete their programme. We thus advise you to take that in consideration when calculating your budget.
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TU Delft currently offers scholarships for Master students. Click here to find scholarships for bachelor programmes.
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The earlier you start, the greater the chance you will find a room. We recommend using the TU Delft housing service. Please use common sense and be wary of paying any deposits to private individuals up front without having seen a room in person.
Student life
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Each degree programme at TU Delft has its own study association. The study association represents the interests of students, organises study-related activities, such as educational trips, lectures and excursions, as well as social activities.
Student associations are not affiliated with a degree programme or with TU Delft and are more focused on social and other aspects. There are all kinds of student associations, ranging from general interests to associations based on culture, sports or politics. -
The study association of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and Engineering is Christiaan Huygens (CH). CH organises interesting and fun activities throughout the year, but also before the start of the academic year, during the general introduction week called OWee. They also organise a book sale at the start of the academic year, where members receive a discount. You can also contact them if you have any questions, comments or complaints about the examinations, lecturers or courses. You do not have to become a member, but is recommended.
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No, you do not have to, but it is a good way of getting to know people, especially if you are new to Delft.
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TU Delft offers a wide range of Sports & Culture activities to explore yourself and expand your playground.