Ruxandra
Ruxandra is 23 years old and originally from Romania. Four years ago, she moved to Stockholm to pursue higher education. In 2025, she graduated from KTH with a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technology and is now in her second year of the master’s programme in Embedded Systems. When she is not studying, you will usually find her in the dance studio or at the ice rink. She also enjoys travelling and photography.
Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?
I had such a positive experience during my BSc at KTH that, by my second year, I already knew I wanted to stay here for my MSc studies as well. I really could not see myself at a different university. I chose the Embedded Systems master's programme specifically because it represents the continuation of all my favourite courses I took throughout my bachelor’s studies at KTH. In addition to that, as an undergraduate, I was also a Teaching Assistant twice in the Digital Design course, which is one of the prerequisite topics for this MSc.
What are the best aspects of your programme?
What I love most about my programme is that my courses are both theoretical and practical. We have a lot of projects, and we get to borrow FPGAs or development boards to complete the labs on. For example, in year two, we have a 15-credit course where we will work on a project throughout the entire autumn semester. Another great aspect is that we have the freedom to pick elective courses based on our interests.
Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme? Which track and why?
Yes, I have chosen the Platforms track specialisation because it is the closest to systems engineering. It combines electronics, hardware design, and software, which is the exact kind of diversity I enjoy. I really like being able to combine several topics and understand how different parts of a system come together.
What are some of your favourite courses so far?
Some of my favourite courses in my master’s programme have been Electronic Systems Design and Design of Fault Tolerant Systems. Electronic Systems Design was particularly fun because, as part of the labs, we had the chance to design our own PCB and then have it manufactured. I also enjoyed the Design of Fault Tolerant Systems because it gave me a deep understanding of how to build reliable systems.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master’s studies?
Over the past years, KTH has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone in a positive way and has helped me grow as a person. The skill it equipped me with I appreciate most is the ability to approach problems I have never seen before with confidence, think critically, evaluate different solutions and make the necessary trade-offs depending on the situation.
If you are looking for an Embedded Systems master’s programme where you can learn by doing, that has strong research and connections with the industry, this is the place to be. KTH is waiting for you with open arms!