Editing Delft University of Technology (section)

==Education==
Since 2004, the TU Delft education system is divided into three tiers: the [[bachelor's degree]], [[master's degree]], and [[doctorate]]. The academic year is divided into two semesters: the first semester from September until January and the second semester from the end of January until July. Most of the lectures are available through [[OpenCourseWare]].

===Bachelor-level studies===
{{As of|2016}}, TU Delft offers 16 [[BSc]] programmes.<ref name="TU Delft BSc">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/programmes/bachelors/|title=Bachelors |website=TU Delft |access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref> TU Delft students obtain their degree after a three-year study. The test project finalizes the BSc studies. All BSc programmes are taught in Dutch, except for [[Aerospace Engineering]], Applied Earth Sciences, Nanobiology, and Computer Science, which are taught entirely in English, and Electrical Engineering which is taught in a mixture of both.

===Master-level studies===
TU Delft offers around 40 [[MSc]] programmes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/programmes/masters/ |title=Masters |website=TU Delft |access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref> The MSc studies take two years to complete.

TU Delft uses the [[European Credit Transfer System]], where each year MSc students are required to obtain 60 ECTS points. An honours track exists for motivated MSc students, who obtained a mark of 7.5 or higher (in [[Academic grading in the Netherlands|Dutch grading scale]]) and did not fail any courses. This track, associated with 30 ECTS points, is taken alongside the regular MSc programme and must be related to student's regular degree courses or the role of [[Technology and society|technology in society]]. The honours track must be completed within the time allowed for the MSc programme.

MSc programmes are also offered through the [[3TU]] federation, [[Erasmus Mundus]] programmes, [[IDEA League]] joint MSc programs and QuTech Academy.

===Doctoral-level studies===

[[File:TU Delft PhD Defense committee.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Typical photo following a [[Doctoral studies|doctoral defense]] at Delft University of Technology. The [[List of academic ranks#Netherlands|promovendus]] (center) is accompanied by two [[paranymph]]s. The [[bedel|pedel]] is on the left, holding the [[Staff of office|staff]]. The red tube holds the doctoral diploma. The [[List of academic ranks#Netherlands|promovendus]], as well as the paranymphs, must wear white ties, while all professors in the defense committee wear [[toga]]s.]]
[[Doctoral studies]] at TU Delft are divided into two phases. The first phase, lasting one year, serves as a trial period during which the doctoral candidate must prove capability for performing research on a doctoral level. The candidate must pass the evaluation performed at the end of the year by his/her promoter in order to continue doing research the following three years. The research the candidate performs must be finalized by submitting a [[doctoral thesis]]. The thesis is evaluated by a doctoral committee composed of TU Delft professors and external opponents. Once the thesis has been revised and comments have been taken into account, the candidate gives a formal doctoral defense.

In contrast to US graduate school, other duties such as following lectures and giving TAs form only a small portion of the programme.

====Doctoral defense====

The [[Doctoral studies|doctoral defense]] is of ceremonial nature and is held in the senate room. It lasts exactly one hour, during which the doctoral candidate must answer all questions from the committee. Sometimes the candidate is accompanied by one or two [[paranymph]]s, who theoretically might help defend a question asked by a committee member. The defense is ended by the [[Bedel|pedel]], who enters the room and says in Latin ''Hora est'' (''It is time''), stamping the university [[Staff of office|staff]] on the floor. The committee then moves to a separate room to decide whether to grant the candidate a doctorate or not. Then the committee returns to the room where the defense was held, and if the doctorate is granted the promoter presents the [[praise|laudation]] praising the new [[doctor (title)|doctor]]. The entire ceremony is chaired by the [[Rector (academia)|rector]] or a representative.

===Other degree programmes===

TU Delft also offers [[Professional Doctorate in Engineering]].