For Talent · 24-Week Program

ChipLAB Design Academy

An intensive, industry-aligned program that takes motivated engineers from digital fundamentals to job-ready ASIC designer — using the exact tools and methods of production chip teams.

Program At a Glance

Program Duration
24 Weeks
Core Modules
7
Industry EDA Tools
5+
Engineers Trained
200+
About the Program

Built by Engineers, for Engineers

The Design Academy blends structured lectures, hands-on labs, and real-project work — delivered by working ASIC engineers, not just instructors.

24-Week Program

Part-time and full-time tracks available to suit working professionals and students alike.

🛠

Industry EDA Tools

Synopsys VCS, Cadence Virtuoso, Genus & Innovus — the exact suite used in production chip teams.

🎯

Portfolio Project

Graduate with a reviewed, mentor-graded capstone project ready for job interviews.

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Placement Support

Resume coaching, mock interviews, and introductions to ChipLAB's hiring partner network.

Curriculum

Core Modules

Seven progressive modules — from digital foundations through silicon bring-up — culminating in an integrated capstone project reviewed by industry mentors.

Digital Fundamentals

Number systems, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, combinational & sequential logic, flip-flops, counters, and FSM design.

Weeks 1–4

RTL Design with Verilog

Verilog modeling styles, synthesizable RTL patterns, memories, FIFOs, clocking, and FSM coding best practices.

Weeks 5–8

SystemVerilog

Advanced datatypes, OOP classes, interfaces, program blocks — bridging from Verilog to a full SV verification environment.

Weeks 9–10

Design Verification & UVM

Testbench architectures, constrained-random stimulus, scoreboard-driven environments, and full UVM methodology.

Weeks 11–14

Coverage & Assertions

Functional coverage, covergroups, SVA immediate and concurrent assertions, and coverage closure strategies.

Weeks 15–18

Physical Design & DFT

STA methodology, timing constraints, synthesis-friendly RTL, scan chain basics, and silicon debug strategies.

Weeks 19–22

Capstone Project

Integrated RTL design, full UVM environment, timing analysis, and a mini chip design flow — reviewed by industry mentors.

Weeks 23–24
Get Started

How to Apply

Our admissions process is straightforward — from first look to confirmed seat in four steps.

1

Review

Review the prerequisites to confirm the programme is the right fit.

2

Apply Online

Complete the online application form — takes less than 10 minutes.

3

Admissions Interview

A short interview with our admissions team to align on goals and readiness.

4

Confirm Your Place

Receive your offer and confirm your cohort start date to secure your seat.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply?

Engineers with a background in digital design, embedded systems, or strong programming experience who want to build a career in ASIC design.

Are scholarships available?

We partner with government bodies and diaspora organisations to provide scholarship funding for eligible applicants — contact us for current availability.

What tools will I learn?

Synopsys VCS, Cadence Virtuoso, Genus, and Innovus — the same professional EDA tools used at leading semiconductor companies worldwide.

Is the program remote or on-site?

Delivery is hybrid — live sessions, labs, and mentorship are available both in-person and online to accommodate your location.

What prerequisite knowledge do I need?

A basic understanding of logic gates plus any programming experience (C, Python, or HDL) is recommended. Download the prerequisite checklist from Resources.

How are cohorts structured?

Cohorts run in small groups to ensure mentor access and peer collaboration. Applications open on a rolling basis with limited seats per cohort.

Ready to Start?

Launch Your Career in Silicon Design

Applications for the next cohort are open. Seats are limited — apply early to secure your place.