Here’s why this couldn’t come at a better time!
The global semiconductor industry is scaling at a pace that outstrips available talent. Industry forecasts point to tens of thousands of new advanced manufacturing and device engineering roles opening in the next few years and many of them are going unfilled due to skill gaps in areas like fabrication, process engineering, and device physics.
In parallel, both the United States and the European Union have launched strategic initiatives (including the U.S. CHIPS Act and Europe’s semiconductor capacity efforts) to strengthen supply chains, accelerate innovation in microelectronics, and build sovereign capability in advanced packaging, materials, and device manufacturing. Portugal is actively positioning its research institutions and industry to contribute to this effort.
This Graduate Certificate supports those goals by preparing engineers, researchers, and technical staff with the skills required to work on next-generation semiconductor processes and devices without having to relocate or pause their career.
Program at a glance
Format: 100% online, asynchronous – learn at your own pace while working.
Structure: Three graduate-level courses taken in sequence, typically completed in ~1 year.
SSE 380. Introduction to Semiconductors
SSE 381. Semiconductor Processes
SSE 382. Semiconductor Devices
Recognition: Upon completion of all three courses, participants earn a Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Science and Engineering: Semiconductor Processes and Devices from The University of Texas at Austin.
Pathway: Credits earned may be applied toward UT Austin’s Master’s in Semiconductor Science and Engineering
Flexibility: Taught by UT Austin faculty with deep experience in semiconductor devices, nanofabrication, and advanced electronic materials.
Funding for Portugal: 100% tuition coverage for selected participants from Portugal applying through the UT Austin Portugal Program.
What you’ll gain
By the end of the certificate, participants will be able to:
- Understand the physics and materials science that underpin semiconductor devices, from the atomic and nanometer scale upward.
- Develop familiarity with semiconductor fabrication workflows, processes, and device manufacturing/testing.
- Build hands-on, industry-relevant literacy in areas such as wafer processing, device behavior, and process integration.
- Strengthen the professional, analytical, and computational skillset expected by advanced semiconductor employers.
- Position themselves for higher-value roles in Portugal’s and Europe’s emerging semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
Be affiliated with an organization based in Portugal (university, R&D unit, company, lab, or similar).
Hold an undergraduate degree in science, engineering, or a closely related technical field.
Have maintained an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 / 4.0.
For applicants educated in Portugal: the equivalence to the U.S. 3.0/4.0 standard is determined according to the criteria in Portuguese higher education law (For conversion of grades in the Portuguese scale to US, please refer to page 2 of this decree-law).
Be able to provide official undergraduate transcripts if requested.
Ideal candidates include:
Engineers and researchers already working in semiconductors, microelectronics, photonics, advanced materials, or related areas.
Early-career professionals seeking to retrain or upskill toward semiconductor manufacturing and device engineering roles.
Key dates and cost
Next intake: Spring ’26
Application deadline: November 17, 2025
Tuition: For applicants admitted under the UT Austin Portugal Program, tuition is fully covered (100% tuition coverage).
Application fee: All applicants must submit a $100 non-refundable application fee. This fee is required at the time of application and is not reimbursed, even if the applicant is not admitted.
Note: As part of the UT Austin application process, you will be asked to provide payment details. This information is handled directly by UT Austin.
How to apply
Step 1 – Submit your application to UT Austin
Use the official Texas Engineering Executive Education form (Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Science and Engineering: Semiconductor Processes and Devices). You will be asked to provide:
- Application form
- Resume/CV
- Statement of purpose
- Academic transcript(s)
- $100 non-refundable application fee
The application is reviewed by UT Austin’s admissions team.
