MSc Embedded Systems
The master's programme in Embedded Systems provides a thorough understanding of Embedded Systems and specialisation in a specific area covering theoretical and practical aspects of embedded systems development. Students gain engineering skills and learn integration of software and hardware, system design, integration, verification and management. Graduates have the expertise to harness the possibilities for innovation in the growing area of embedded systems.
Embedded Systems at KTH
Embedded systems are the most common form of computer systems, utilising around 98% of all manufactured processors in applications ranging from household appliances and vehicles to satellites and power plants. These systems often operate under demanding requirements for functionality, reliability and efficiency, making embedded systems engineering a crucial component and field in modern society.
The master's programme in Embedded Systems provides a broad education in the field, combining theoretical knowledge with practical engineering skills. We place particular emphasis on software and hardware integration, system design, integration, verification, and the management of the design process.
The programme offers two tracks:
- The Embedded Electronics track focuses on the design of electronics in embedded systems, with a strong emphasis on circuit boards, ASICs and programmable FPGAs. You can specialise in digital and analogue integrated circuits, SoC design or embedded electronics, developing the expertise needed to create efficient and reliable hardware for applications ranging from communication systems and consumer electronics to industrial and automotive technologies. Additionally, the students experience a realistic digital design flow, where selected designs will be sent out for manufacturing (tape-out).
- The Embedded Systems Design track focuses on the design of embedded platforms and their software, including real-time systems. The students study the basis of embedded systems, digital design, learn how to build their own computer systems, and ultimately how to design and run state-of-the-art embedded software. Additionally, the track allows deepened specialization, teaching students how to build more secure hardware systems or create safe and reliable embedded software. Finally, the students apply their learned knowledge solving real problems in the project course.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) in English. Graduates are awarded the Master of Science degree. The programme is provided at KTH Campus by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (at KTH).
Programme structure and progression
During the first year, you build a foundation in embedded systems through mandatory courses in embedded systems design, computer architecture and digital systems design. You then specialise within your chosen track through courses that develop your expertise in either embedded electronics or embedded systems design.
During the second year, you further develop your technical and engineering skills through track-specific and elective courses and a large-scale design project. The programme concludes with a degree project carried out during the final semester at KTH, another university or in industry.
Courses in the programme
The programme courses cover topics such as embedded systems, digital design and validation with HDLs, embedded hardware design in ASIC and FPGA, computer systems architecture, embedded many-core architectures, design of fault-tolerant systems, hardware security, electronic systems design, fundamentals of integrated electronics, embedded software, software reliability, and methods in software engineering.
Courses in the master's programme in Embedded Systems
Future and career
As society becomes increasingly digitalised, embedded systems play a central role in connected products, industrial automation, transportation, communication systems and the Internet of Things. Emerging technologies such as autonomous systems and AI-enabled devices are creating new opportunities for innovation, while industry faces a growing demand for engineers who can integrate electronics, hardware and software into reliable embedded systems. Large-scale European investments in semiconductor technologies are further increasing the demand for expertise in embedded systems.
Employers of graduates from the master's programme in Embedded Systems are companies that develop electronic components and embedded systems in all possible areas. Well known companies include Ericsson, Saab, Scania Group, and many more. After graduation you can find work as a hardware design engineer, embedded software engineer, consultant, developer, programmer, project manager, R&D engineer, industrial expert, or startup founder. You can also pursue a career in academia as a researcher or doctoral student in related areas.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Embedded Systems are:
You will acquire a fundamental understanding of the power and energy consumption of transistor-based electronic and computer systems and knowledge of basic principles for improving and optimising their power and energy efficiency in performance, cost and reliability constraints for electronic consumer products, mobile computing devices, network and communication systems, the Internet of Things and cloud computing infrastructures. Multiple courses, from theory to practice, from mini-project to degree project, allow our students to develop relevant expertise continuously.
You will be able to work as an engineer in companies that develop power- and energy-efficient solutions for electronic and embedded computing systems, a manager in organisations that provide energy-efficient IT solutions in healthcare, economic and industrial sectors, or a researcher in institutions that conduct cutting-edge research on emerging and future sustainable electronics, computers and networked systems.
Faculty and research
The master's programme in Embedded Systems is offered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at KTH. Embedded Systems is within the subject of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, for which KTH has been a top 25 university worldwide for more than five years in a row in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The programme is coordinated via the Division of Electronics and Embedded Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering.
Edu4Chip
KTH is part of the Edu4Chip initiative in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, the Technical University of Denmark, Tampere University, and Institut Mines-Télécom. Edu4Chip is a cutting-edge, hands-on master's course programme in advanced chip design. Students in the master's programme in Embedded Systems can benefit from this collaboration by taking courses and participating in projects and activities at other universities.
