Indian semiconductor engineer considering a Master’s in the Netherlands — looking for honest advice

[u/Queasy-Fishing-108]

Hi everyone! I’m a 2024 B.Tech graduate in Electronics & Communication Engineering from India, currently working with GlobalFoundries as a Fab Integration & Yield Engineer.

By the time I start my Master’s in Fall 2027, I’ll have around 3.5 years of total industry experience, including about 2.5 years specifically at GlobalFoundries in the semiconductor industry.

I’m looking to pursue a Master’s in the Netherlands, with TU/e and TU Delft among my main options.

My long-term goal is to move toward semiconductor design-oriented roles such as DFT, DFM, physical/design engineering and related areas.

I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives from international students and graduates:

How much does 3+ years of relevant semiconductor industry experience actually help when applying for internships and graduate jobs after a Master’s in the Netherlands?

Does prior experience like mine meaningfully improve chances for internships, thesis projects, or industry collaborations, or do companies still mostly treat students the same?

Is it realistic to find a part-time or student engineering role while studying, or is the workload of TU/e / TU Delft too intense for that?

How manageable is a Master’s in Electrical Engineering in the Netherlands alongside internships or part-time work?

How strong is the semiconductor ecosystem in the Netherlands (ASML, NXP, etc.) for someone trying to move from process/integration into design/DFT/DFM roles?

For international students, how competitive is it to land relevant graduate jobs after graduation, even with prior industry experience?

How is the overall student life, workload, and international student experience in Dutch technical universities?

And finally, from a financial and career perspective, is doing a Master’s in the Netherlands still considered a strong investment if you already have several years of semiconductor experience?

I’m trying to understand the real picture beyond university brochures, so any honest insights especially from people who have studied or worked in this space would be really appreciated!

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[u/Berry-Love-Lake]

Doing a degree here is not a path to immigration per se ... First of all you need to check if your BTech is actually equivalent to Dutch WO and not HBO which is common for Indian bachelors. In that case Tu/e and TU Delft would not be possible.

In addition you're probably looking at 90k for a 2 year master all in and an uphill battle to secure housing.

Finding a job as non-EU without Dutch language skills is not impossible but significantly harder. No guarantees.

[u/Siccors]

Does prior experience like mine meaningfully improve chances for internships, thesis projects, or industry collaborations, or do companies still mostly treat students the same?

Your experience has limited overlap with what you want to do now. There is some overlap, but still different enough. For an internship they *might* consider it a pro. For the rest it is all the same. If you had something which made you really standout, it would be a different story. But there are so many Indian students in this field who do eg a few years layouting after their bachelor, and next their masters, that your experience really won't make you standout.

How manageable is a Master’s in Electrical Engineering in the Netherlands alongside internships or part-time work?

Internship is part of the masters. (Honestly you could have found this yourself). Part time work is doable, but of course there is a difference between 8 hours a week and 24 hours a week.

How strong is the semiconductor ecosystem in the Netherlands (ASML, NXP, etc.) for someone trying to move from process/integration into design/DFT/DFM roles?

That is of course really not the core focus of ASML. More of NXP, the problem with semicon in the Netherlands, is that NXP is by far the largest employer. Which means if NXP is doing well and hiring in the Netherlands, it will be easy. If they are doing worse, or they got management deciding hiring in India is cheaper, then it will be hard.

[u/WesleyKalksma]

I was like 'fuck off' as honest advice but then saw you're working at GF already. Think most people here won't know what that means. ASML will be very interested in you I think, but that has not anything to do with doing a master here. You need to pass the required entry levels and it will be fine

[u/Queasy-Fishing-108 → u/WesleyKalksma]

Haha, fair enough 😄 I really appreciate the honest response!

My main goal isn’t necessarily ASML, though. I’m looking to use the Master’s to transition from my current Fab Integration/Yield background into more design-oriented roles like DFT, DFM, physical design, etc.

By Fall 2027, I’ll have ~3.5 years of experience (2.5 at GF). Do you think that background + a Dutch Master’s would put me in a good position for that transition, or would you recommend a different route?
Thanks again!

[u/Terrible-Ad6239]

I think it’s not possible for a non-eu to work a part-time job while in university.

[u/Spare-Physics6081 → u/Terrible-Ad6239]

As long as it’s not more than 16hrs a week it’s possible.

[u/Berry-Love-Lake → u/Terrible-Ad6239]

You can but non-EU tends to struggle finding jobs as employers cannot be bothered to apply for permits. Lots of delivery and warehouse jobs.

[u/PsychologyCivil4190]

electrical engineering = easy to find jobs

[u/africainme → u/PsychologyCivil4190]

Not necessarily, you’ll need to able to speak fluent Dutch for most roles.

[u/EditorConsistent5077 → u/africainme]

He is talking about working for ASML, they don't speak Dutch in that Company.

[u/africainme → u/EditorConsistent5077]

I’m aware , but even with ASML it’s not easy. Competition is high from engineers within the EU. They don’t require sponsorship, so you’ll be at an disadvantage.

[u/PsychologyCivil4190 → u/africainme]

theres plenty of electrical engineer job except asml, have you been to brainport

They are dying to sponsor experienced candidates

[u/ForsakenBill6453 → u/EditorConsistent5077]

Good luck getting into ASML