Maynooth University (MU) has announced a new Master of Engineering Science in Integrated Circuit Design – the first of its kind in Europe.

“This flagship programme, which has been developed in close partnership with Ireland’s semi-conductor industry, aims to deliver graduates who are ready to step straight into high-value roles in a strategically critical sector,” said Dr John Dooley, based in the Department of Electronic Engineering at MU and programme director for the new postgraduate degree.

Strategic priority

The programme has been set up in response to a series of national and European initiatives that have identified semi-conductors as a strategic priority to underpin economic resilience, technological sovereignty and economic growth.

“This innovative, new postgraduate programme reflects MU’s ongoing commitment to partnering with Government and industry to deliver academic programmes that respond directly to Ireland’s strategic skills needs,” said MU president, Prof Eva Leinonen.

“We are proud that MU, through our Faculty of Science and Engineering, is the first to offer a postgraduate programme of its kind in Europe that will attract outstanding student and research talent from around the world,” said Prof Leinonen.

“Our graduates will be equipped to contribute immediately to Ireland’s and Europe’s semiconductor ambitions, from advanced chip design to innovation in emerging applications,” the MU president said.

Advanced chip innovation

The European Chips Act, a €43bn initiative launched in 2023, sets out a roadmap to significantly bolster Europe’s semiconductor capacity, while the 2024 Draghi Report calls for maximising joint EU efforts in advanced chip innovation.

In Ireland, the Programme for Government, the National Semiconductor Strategy, and the IDA have all highlighted semiconductors as a strategic driver of growth, and a vital opportunity for the country over the coming decade.

“This is the only course of its kind in Europe and has been designed in close collaboration with leading semiconductor companies,” said Dr Dooley.

“Maynooth University worked with the MIDAS Ireland semiconductor industry cluster in the design of the course to ensure that it addressed critical skills gaps and priority competencies.”

The master’s is built around five core features that ensure its graduates are ‘industry ready’: a paid internship of approximately six months with a semi-conductor company; a strong problem-based learning approach; specialist modules spanning analogue, digital and verification; AI and machine learning training tailored to the semiconductor industry of the future; and hands on training with the professional software tools used for integrated circuit design.

“These elements are integrated so that students can move seamlessly from advanced theory and simulation into real-world design, verification and implementation workflows within their host companies,” said Dr Dooley.

“We are delighted the course has received strong support from a broad ecosystem of government departments and agencies who recognise the importance of strengthening Ireland’s semiconductor talent pipeline,” said Dr Dooley.

The backing of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), together with partner companies, MIDAS Ireland, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland has been crucial to helping establish the new master’s programme.

“This alignment ensures that the master's not only serves individual students and employers, but also advances Ireland’s broader policy objectives in innovation, competitiveness and regional development,” said Dr Dooley.

MUApply portal

Applications are now open via the MUApply portal to candidates who hold a level 8 honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in electronic engineering, Physics or a closely related discipline.

Following an initial eligibility review by MU, applications will be assessed by five tier-one semiconductor companies, who will shortlist and interview candidates, and, where successful, offer them paid internships linked to the programme.

The first intake of students is under way, with lectures beginning in September/October 2026, followed by two academic semesters at MU, then an industry internship of around six months.

“Over the next five to 10 years, Maynooth University’s objective is to graduate the best qualified integrated circuit design specialists in Ireland, equipped with the technical, and problem-solving skills demanded by the rapidly evolving semi-conductor industry,” said Dr Dooley.

“As a medium-sized university, with the agility to recruit targeted expertise and tailor programmes to suit specific industry needs Maynooth is positioning this Masters as a cornerstone of Ireland’s growing semiconductor ecosystem and a key contributor to Europe’s ambitions in advanced chips.”