# Degree structure
**Source**: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/degree-structure
**Parent**: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion
- [Menu](#sideMenu--accordion-70340)
- [Master Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion)
- [Degree structure](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/degree-structure)
- [Admission and enrollment](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/admission-and-enrollment)
- [Pre-master](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/pre-master)
- [Study in Numbers](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/study-in-numbers)
- [After graduation](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/after-graduation)
- [International students](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student)
## Study layout
The Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion master’s degree is a two-year, 120 ECTS credits program. It comprises mandatory core courses, specialist fusion courses, free electives, an internship and a final project.
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whole program | P&PD | 5 ECTS |
| **Year 1** | Mandatory core courses | 10 ECTS |
| | Specialization Electives | 10 ECTS |
| | Fusion Challenges | 10 ECTS |
| | Fusion Electives | 10 ECTS |
| | Free Electives | 15 ECTS |
| **Year 2** | External internship | 15 ECTS |
| | Graduation project | 45 ECTS |
## P&PD
The 5 ECTS of Professional and Personal Development (P&PD) elements are integrated throughout the entire program. In this course, you work closely with fellow students to develop essential academic skills that prepare for your successful future career. Through interactive training sessions and by providing and receiving feedback, you strengthen your scientific writing and communication skills and build awareness of scientific integrity and the responsible handling of research data.
## Mandatory core courses
The mandatory courses are designed to develop the toolbox of skills needed by modern fusion engineers.
- Fusion basics: Physics for Engineers, Engineering for physicists
- Fusion on the back of an envelope
- Magnetic confinement and MHD of fusion plasmas
- Fusion reactor materials and plasma-wall interaction
## Track electives
Track electives are courses that allow students to specialize within their chosen field or study program. You choose a total of 20 ECTS from a broad list of the different specializations. For example, you can focus on physics of plasmas and radiation, heating and diagnosing fusion plasmas and many more. The full list of track electives can be found in the [education guide](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/graduate-school/masters-programs/science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/curriculum/track-electives?_gl=1*1v16obv*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3Mzk4NDU2Ni4xNzE4MDIwMDk5*_ga_JN37M497TT*MTczMDg4NjI1NC45Ny4xLjE3MzA4ODk3NzYuMC4wLjA.).
## Fusion Challenges
During intense one-week challenges, you and your team dive into real problems shaping the future of fusion energy. With guidance from leading experts, they’ll brainstorm bold ideas, test creative solutions, stimulate critical thinking and tackle questions like *“Can we design a smarter reactor than ITER?”* , *“How do we bring fusion to the energy market?” Or how do we solve the power exhaust problem”* It’s fast-paced, collaborative, and a chance to make a mark on the big questions in fusion.
## Fusion electives
The elective courses allow students to deepen their knowledge in areas relevant to fusion research. Some courses are directly fusion-oriented, such as plasma heating and diagnostics, while others provide a broader foundation in disciplines like plasma physics, control engineering, systems engineering, or data processing, to name a few. All electives are at master level, linked to physics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering, and are organized to support different directions in which students may wish to specialize.
## Free Electives
You may choose from any master’s or advanced bachelor’s courses available at TU/e or other institutions, as long as they are of an adequate level. Get more information about the [free elective space](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/graduate-school/masters-programs/science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/curriculum/free-electives?_gl=1*1x66hk0*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3Mzk4NDU2Ni4xNzE4MDIwMDk5*_ga_JN37M497TT*MTczMDg4NjI1NC45Ny4xLjE3MzA4ODk3NzYuMC4wLjA.).
## External internship
The 15 credits internship offers you to build academic skills in a unique work environment. In cooperation with a TU/e internship supervisor, you’ll select the internship’s topic and location, ideally within a company, university, or research institute. The [internship](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/graduate-school/masters-programs/science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/curriculum/internship?_gl=1*1tljynn*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3Mzk4NDU2Ni4xNzE4MDIwMDk5*_ga_JN37M497TT*MTczMDg4NjI1NC45Ny4xLjE3MzA4ODk4MzAuMC4wLjA.) needs to take place in an international environment, either abroad or in the Netherlands. If in the Netherlands, at least 15 credits of your graduation research must be completed internationally.
## Graduation
The 45 credits graduation project offers you the opportunity to apply your acquired knowledge, competences, and skills. If the student chooses to do the internship in the Netherlands, the student has to carry out at least 15 credits of the graduation research abroad. Get more information on [graduation](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/graduate-school/masters-programs/science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/curriculum/graduation-project?_gl=1*1vz9566*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3Mzk4NDU2Ni4xNzE4MDIwMDk5*_ga_JN37M497TT*MTczMDg4NjI1NC45Ny4xLjE3MzA4ODk4MzAuMC4wLjA.).
## The pre-Master
With a relevant HBO Bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences from the Netherlands, you qualify for the [pre-Master](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/pre-masterprogrammas?_gl=1*y3ig4k*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3Mzk4NDU2Ni4xNzE4MDIwMDk5*_ga_JN37M497TT*MTczMzE0MjU3NC4xMjAuMS4xNzMzMTQ1ODIxLjEyLjAuMA..)’s in Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, which then allows you to pursue the Master’s in Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion. \
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Get more information about the program via curriculum.
- [Curriculum](https://studiegids.tue.nl/opleidingen/graduate-school/masters-programs/science-and-technology-of-nuclear-fusion/curriculum/)