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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Physics
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Physics

Do you want to explore what nature is made of at the fundamental level? What are the elementary particles and fundamental forces that govern the Universe? Or the role of dark energy and dark matter in cosmic evolution? Can we use a many-body approach to describe light absorption in a solar cell? Are quantum phenomena responsible for DNA mutation? And how can we explain superconductivity in carbon?

The Master's degree programme in Physics is open to students with a solid background in physics who are eager to expand their knowledge and experience in a modern physics research environment. The goal of the Master of Physics is to train excellent researchers in the field of materials science, subatomic physics, isotope physics, or theoretical physics.

The programme offers the following tracks:
* Quantum Universe
* Advanced Materials
* Science, Business and Policy

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Physics
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60202
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Wide spectrum of high-level research in Physics and related sciences
  • The Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials is ranked high in the world's top 15 materials research institutes by the Times Higher Education
  • Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike
  • Gives access to the additional, highly selective, High Tech Systems and Materials Honours Master
Programme

Curriculum

This master degree programme consists of a programme of 120 ECTS. The first year (60 ECTS) consists of compulsory and elective courses. This allows much freedom and the possibility to put together a specific program that specializes in state of the art physics topics.

In the second year of your training you conduct a major research project matching the field of your specialization. This research project takes place in one of the research institutes of the University of Groningen that carry out research in physics:

  • Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
  • Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity
  • Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG)
  • Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

Each of these research institutes has its own fields of specialty. Together they constitute a wide spectrum of high-level research in physics and related sciences.

For a complete overview of the offered curricula within the tracks, please see the sections below.

Programme options
Quantum Universe (track)

The Quantum Universe track emphasizes the relations between Theoretical Physics, Particle Physics and Astronomy in the study of nature on the different scales.

The track is offered for both the Physics and Astronomy Master programme.

The Quantum Universe programme consists of four mandatory physics courses (20 ECTS), four Quantum Universe courses (20 ECTS), four electives (20 ECTS), and a large master research project of 60 ECTS. The core physics courses are mandatory for all physics students, independent of the track that is followed. You will follow Computational Physics, Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Mathematical Methods of Physics. The Quantum Universe courses are followed by both physics and astronomy students: General Relativity, Electrodynamics of Radiation Processes, Particle Physics Phenomenology, and Student Seminar Quantum Universe. The elective courses range in a wide variety of subjects, and cover the broad spectrum between theoretical physics, particle physics and astronomy.

Your Master's research project is your own individual project, supervised by a staff member from one of the institutes: the Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity, the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, or Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut (KVI-CART). The project is 60 ECTS, will take one year to finish, and is tailor-made to your interests.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60202-5561

Advanced Materials (track)

The track Advanced Materials emphasizes the design and scientific study of materials for functionality.

The track is part of the Physics Master programme and of the Chemistry Master programme and it is offered by the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM).

The programme consists of four mandatory physics courses (20 ECTS), four Advanced Materials courses (20 ECTS), four electives (20 ECTS), and a large master research project of 60 ECTS.

The core physics courses are mandatory for all physics students, independent of the track that is followed. You will follow Computational Physics, Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Mathematical Methods of Physics. There are five courses in the category of Advanced Materials, out of which you have to choose four: Cross-disciplinary Materials Science, Functional Properties, Structure at Macro, Meso and Nano Scale, Supramolecular Chemistry, and Characterisation of Materials. The elective courses range in a wide variety of subjects, and can be chosen to specialize and design – along with your master's research project – a tailor-made programme for your master.

Your Master's research project is your own individual project, supervised by one of the high-quality research staff members of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM); one of the Netherland's most-renowned research institutes. Here you can choose from research topics that range from organic solar cells, device nanophysics to materials for data storage, nano- and microelectromechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS) and laboratories on a chip.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60202-5562

Science, Business and Policy (profile)

Interested in the business side of science?

The Science, Business and Policy track within the Physics master's degree programme combines state of the art Physics with the business and policy sides of science. The SBP track includes a six-month internship as a scientific advisor.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60202-5563

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended
  • For an average of 20 weeks
  • Maximum of 60 EC

Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Applied PhysicsAll Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

A special programme is available for holders of a Dutch HBO Bachelor's degree. For details, please contact the programme coordinator.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
PhysicsAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Applied PhysicsAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
AstronomyAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 15 EC

More information:

Indicatie van het schakelprogramma:

  • Structure of Matter 2
  • Physics Laboratory 3
  • Electronics and Signal Processing

Neem contact op met de studie-adviseur voor meer informatie.

Physics and AstronomyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)VU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)University of AmsterdamNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in (Applied) Physics. Students from related fields such as Astronomy might also qualify.

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

knowledge minimum

Sufficient English proficiency on VWO level is required.

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Physics or Applied/Engineering Physics

This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The admissions board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.

additional subject

The Admissions Office will advise the Board of Admissions on your application, after which the board will decide if you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge.

knowledge minimum

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at: http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

language test

MAKE SURE TO VISIT http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores.

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In cooperation with major national and international companies we welcome students with several scholarships

ASML Scholarship: ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment. The €5000 p/y scholarship is awarded every year to 25 exceptional students, who get the chance to become a Technology Ambassador within their scholarship period. More information can be found here: https://www.asml.com/en/careers/students-graduates/asml-scholarship

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. Applications are evaluated on a continuous basis. You do not have to wait until the application deadline to apply.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 20700full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

The Master's programme in Physics is primarily aimed at students who wish to become researchers. Most graduates will go on to complete a PhD research project after their Master's programme, either in Groningen or elsewhere. However, many physicists who have trained as researchers will find jobs that are less explicitly oriented towards research. This is because training as a physics researcher also develops general competences that make our graduates highly versatile.

During the Master's degree programme, teamwork, communication and presentation are important qualities. In many cases considerable IT skills are developed. In practice, physics graduates can be found in consultancy firms, in process management, in commercial positions, in financial jobs, or in teaching.


Job examples

  • PhD research position
  • Consultant
  • Process manager
  • Teacher
  • Financial jobs
Research

Get involved in Research at the Zernike Institute - Ranked in the THES World's top 15

The research project in the second year of your training takes place in one of the research institutes of the University of Groningen that carry out research in physics:

  • Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
  • Van Swinderen Institute
  • Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG)
  • Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

Each of these research institutes has its own fields of interest..

Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials

The Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials in Groningen is one of the largest centres of materials research in the Netherlands and it belongs to the THES top 15 of best materials research institutes in the world. Basic research on materials is directed towards unravelling the relations between the properties that determine their functionality and their chemical composition and structure. The Zernike Institute is dedicated to a cross-disciplinary approach and in many research groups physicists and chemists work closely together. Research on surfaces, polymers, biomolecular materials, computational solid state physics, nanophysics, optical properties of the solid state and materials engineering are some of the fields of research. In addition to experimental research with state-of-the-art equipment, the Zernike Institute also studies theoretical solid state physics.

Van Swinderen Institute

The aim of the Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity is to study the fundamental forces of nature with implications for our universe. These investigations connect through close similarities in physics from Planck-scale physics (quantum gravity) via sub-atomic scales (particle physics) to cosmic dimensions. There are both theoretical as well as experimental efforts in more specialized topics such as the test of fundamental symmetries and forces, Large Hadron Collider and Beyond the Standard Model physics, holography, string theory and inflation.

Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG)

ESRIG focuses on two themes, of which the first is called 'Energy supply and energy conversion'. This includes the sustainable role of bio-fuels, also in connection to food and land use, energy transition, second (and later) generation bio fuel research; Organic Solar Cells, determination and monitoring of bio-fuel admixtures, natural gas and new gas mixture combustion research, innovative production methods for fossil fuels, underground coal gasification, geothermal energy, gas transition, hydrogen as energy carrier and (de-central) electricity production control design.
The second theme, 'Transition towards Sustainability' consists of carbon cycle and greenhouse gases research, CO2 emission monitoring, CO2 storage surveillance, CO2 storage in relation to underground characteristics, combustion efficiency and harmful emission reduction, development and evaluation of (inter)national climate policies, societal and ethical context of scientific/technical transitions towards sustainability.

Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute is the department of Astronomy at the University of Groningen. The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute uses the most advanced instrumentation on the ground and in space, as well as the most advanced computing facilities. Kapteyn staff are involved in the operation as well as planning and construction of major astronomical instrumentation efforts, again on the ground and in space. Master students at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute work in research groups which are currently shaping 21st-century astronomy and astrophysics. The Kapteyn Institute has close connections with the two major national foundations dealing with astronomical instrumentation: ASTRON and SRON.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Campus TourMore information

Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl
  • 
						Testimonial of Sander Bouma

    Analytical thinking and problem solving are skills the programme taught me well

    – Sander Bouma
    Read more

    Prior to this Master’s, I finished the Bachelor’s programme Physics. I enjoyed the bachelor a lot and I wanted to stay in Groningen because I enjoy the city. I looked at the various master programmes the University had to offer, but eventually the MSc Physics spoke to me the most.

    For me, it is always hard to choose these things, but my strategy became to look at the courses offered for each programme and pick the programme with the most interesting courses. Courses like General Relativity, Lie groups, Quantum Field Theory and Collider Experiments were the ones that sounded the most interesting to me, hence I chose the MSc Physics with the Quantum Universe track.

    This programme was a very logical follow up to my bachelor’s. The master is basically tailored towards students who just finished their BSc Physics. I do feel like there was quite a big jump in workload and difficulty compared to the bachelor’s.

    Currently I am in the first year of the master’s and I am also a Teaching Assistant for some bachelor courses. The course I enjoy the most is Quantum Field Theory. This is a theoretical framework that combines a classical field theory with quantum mechanics and special relativity, which forms the basis of the Standard Model of particle physics.

    I feel like solving physics / math problems can be really rewarding. Sometimes I get stuck on a problem for hours or even days, trying out different approaches that are leading to wrong answers, and finally getting to the right answer and learning why it is the right answer. Of course it can be frustrating to get stuck, but that makes the feeling of getting it right all the more rewarding.

    I just signed up for the CERN Summer Student programme of 2023. If I get admitted, I will spend my summer working on an 8-week project at CERN. This will be a really unique experience and I hope to discover whether a scientific career is something I would like to pursue.

    My next step is to try out projects in different areas to discover where my passion lies. Analytical thinking and problem solving are skills the programme taught me well. It is astonishing how much I developed this skill compared to when I first started out in my bachelor’s.

    Close
  • 
						Testimonial of Adrian Sidhu

    You learn a lot of skills which are applicable in our world today.

    – Adrian Sidhu
    Read more

    After doing my Bachelor's degree in Physics, I felt that the best way forward was to continue with a Master's. In my experience, beyond the standard physics curriculum, this Master's programme also helps you to develop an eclectic range of skills that are wholly applicable in today's world, from analytical thinking to problem solving. The physics curriculum itself is top notch, and you have the opportunity to delve into a wide selection of subjects from theoretical physics, applied physics, and astronomy. Alongside my studies, I have been working as a teaching assistant and laboratory supervisor for several different BSc subjects. Teaching alongside your studies is a perfect way to work part-time while also keeping your mind fresh by applying what you've learnt in the past. The second part of the Master's consists of a year-long research project. I decided to join the Quantum Devices group of the university, where we are trying to characterise and develop a quantum bit (V defect in SiC) that can be used to emit at telecom wavelengths.

    After my Master's, I'm considering taking a break from academia, and going into either consulting, finance, or industrial research, where the skills learnt in the Master's are highly valued. Maybe after a few years of work experience I'll consider a PhD - but with all the opportunities that come with a physics Master's, I can't say for sure!

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Study associations

FMF

The FMF is an association for the Bachelor's programmes Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, Physics, Astronomy and all of the subsequent Master's programmes at the University of Groningen.
The association pursues three objectives. The first objective is that it wants to contribute to the broadening of the scientific education of its members. This is done by organizing various activities in the scientific field, such as study excursions, lectures and symposiums.
https://www.fmf.nl
Read more