Physics: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

Physicists take both a qualitative and a quantitative approach to understanding the world around us. Physics is an indispensable part of today’s society. Modern life would be entirely different without computer chips, lasers, MRI screening and all the other benefits of physics research. The Master’s programme in Physics provides you with plenty of opportunities to study and engage in groundbreaking fundamental research and its applications.

Within the programme, you can choose one of the following specializations:

• Theoretical Physics
• Particle and Astroparticle Physics
• Advanced Matter and Energy Physics
• Laser Science and Biomolecular Photonics
• Physics of Life and Health

You will learn to test, explain and develop theories of physical phenomena, and to analyse and solve problems using a scientific approach.

Career prospects

The graduates are employed by research institutes like the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). But they also find careers with major multinationals like Shell and Philips, and with telecommunications companies and banks. The public sector likewise offers opportunities, as do software houses and consultancies. If you choose the Research profile, you can become an assistant or trainee researcher at a university and work towards a PhD.

Admission requirements

Students from the Netherlands

• Students have unconditional admission to the Master’s programme in Physics if they have a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (and Astronomy) from a Dutch university.
• The Examination Board may also admit students who do not meet these requirements. In those cases the Board will decide whether there are deficiencies that have to be made up for during the programme.
• Students from VU University Amsterdam who have not yet completed the Bachelor’s programme can be admitted to the Master’s on condition that they have finished their Bachelor’s thesis and that the Bachelor’s subjects yet to be completed account for no more than 30 ECTS. Students with more Bachelor’s subjects outstanding may attend lectures but are not allowed to participate in examinations or guidance-intensive activities.

Students from abroad

The Examination Board can admit students on the basis of a diploma (Dutch or foreign) which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. These students are also required to demonstrate a sufficient command of English.

Language requirements

Students for whom English is not the first language are required to have adequate results in an English language proficiency test: a TOEFL score of 580 (237 in the TOEFL computer-based test) or an IELTS score of 6.5, or they must obtain one of these qualifications upon applying to VU University Amsterdam. If you have another English qualification, please enclose relevant information and, if possible, a photocopy of the diploma, so that the Examination Board can take these factors into consideration.