The PDEng Program on Software Technology - Experience Report on a Doctorate Level Architecture Training Program

Attention for software architecture in higher education used to be limited to a few (or a single) courses in the later years of a Master program. In this paper we share our experience on a unique educational program in the Netherlands in which education and training on architecture is an integrated theme: the PDEng Software Technology program. The paper provides background information for the program focusing on its history and demand from industry. The program design adhering to the European Qualification Level (EQF) level 8 while satisfying industrial requirements is presented in some detail. The way we evaluate and monitor the quality of the program by Dutch government, industry partners, and alumni is discussed. In sharing the experience of the past 30 years of training architects and designers, the program has dealt with many changes and complexities on both academia and industry.