PDEng Application procedure
How do you apply for PDEng
Candidates can enter the program only after having successfully passed the full admission procedure. The procedure consists of three steps and involves a thorough assessment by means of a Data Challenge Week and an application interview
Due to the uncertain situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic we change our assessment procedure until further notice. The most important change is that the assessment will take place entirely online. Next online Data Challenge Week (DCW) takes place from September 27th up to and including October 2nd, 2020. The online DCW consists of a 4-day online teamwork assessment concluded with an online interview. Due to the online character of the next Data Challenge Week combined with the uncertain international travel regulations, we give priority to applicants that currently live in the Netherlands or in countries close to the Netherlands. We hope this situation will be over soon so our program can revert to its normal assessment procedure. For more information on the Online Data Challenge Week specifically, check out the following document: Info online DCW.
Note:
The registration for the data challenge week of September is closed. If you want to apply for the PDEng DS program, please send in your application from November 2020 to January 2021!
Step 1
The first step is to provide the necessary information for the program management to assess your eligibility for the program. Therefore, we kindly request you to submit the following documents to the secretariat of the program:
- Completed online application form, which can be downloaded HERE.
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Copy of the MSc-diploma, including an (informal) translation of this document into English
- A copy of the list of marks that you obtained in order to fulfill the requirements for the Master degree;
- The translation of the list of marks, validated by your university administration;
- Proof of level of English language (for example IELTS)(check language requirements)
- Copy of ID or passport
Please send these documents to DPdatascience@tue.nl (pdf, no RAR please). If you are selected for the next step, you will receive more detailed information, along with a formal invitation letter.
Step 2
Based on the documents submitted, the program selection committee invites the candidate to take part in an assessment in the form of a Data Challenge Week. These Data Challenge Weeks are organized twice a year, around September/October and March/April/May. If you complete your application now, you are applying to participate in the Data Challenge Week in May 2021.
During the Data Challenge Week, candidates work together with current trainees and other applicants to solve a challenge provided by one of the industrial partners of the program. This week is both an assessment for the applicants and an intense way of learning for the students of the program. Data Challenge Weeks can be regarded as a high pressure project in which both the process (how?) and the result (what?) count. The Data Challenge week is concluded with a final presentation given by the applicants.
Candidates are assessed on their technical background, as well as on the following distinctive attitudes and skills: creativity, self-awareness, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.
Candidates will also be asked to:
- Write a document on personal understanding of the data set to be challenged and a personal introduction.
- Take part in all team activities such as group meetings and technical discussions.
- Do part of the final presentation at the end of the Data Challenge Week. They present results and conclusions of their group to the representatives of the company or business that set the data challenge.
- Candidates fill out a personality questionnaire. They fill out the MPT-BS: Multi-Cultural Personality test – Big Six.
Step 3
The final step of the admission procedure is the job-interview. These take place on the last Thursday and Friday of the Data Challenge Week. The interview is arranged immediately after the assessment. The scientific director, program manager and professional development coach form the interview committee. The focus is on the candidate’s technical background, motivation and the assessment results. Directly after the interview, the application committee informs the applicant whether or not he/she is allowed to enter the program. Candidates will be employed by Eindhoven University of Technology as Technological Designer in Training.
Testimonial
“It is intensely challenging, but you will find your hidden talents and improve yourself. You get the benefits of being a student, learn, get work experience and get paid. It is a really valuable program for the rest of your career”
– Ravi Thakkar
