the way ahead

The situation with respect to graduate education might be different in different parts of the world. Let me describe the situation with which I am familiar—in The Netherlands—but this may hold for many European countries. The Netherlands has a dual system and offers two different degrees in engineering: one at a university (five years) and one at a professional school (four years). The university degree has the highest level and is scientifically oriented; the professional degree has a lower level and is much more practically oriented. Preparation for these two studies during secondary school (starting at the age of about 12) is also different: it takes six years for university and five years for the professional school. Moreover, there is again a significant difference in level.