Physics is concerned with describing and predicting natural phenomena. Applied physics is concerned with applying physics in technical solutions. Design and construction are important aspects of this.
Applied physics is at the heart of society. It forms the basis
for many of the products we use in daily life. The programme has a
strong interdisciplinary orientation, with an emphasis on
combinations of subjects: physics with design studies,
nanotechnology, new materials and systems and control
engineering
Applied physics involves studying not only how phenomena come
about, but also how to use them for technical solutions. The
programme focuses on theory and practice.
Critical appraisal skills
Applied physics is an academic subject, which means that you
acquire not only knowledge, but also skills such as presentation,
working in a team and setting up and conducting research. We teach
you critical appraisal skills, which you will learn to apply to
your own and other's work.
Tough subject
Applied physics can certainly be described as a 'tough' subject. In
order to study it you need to have an affinity for sciences and you
need to have an enquiring and creative mind that wonders how things
work.
| CoursesCourse Catalog > |
|---|
| Calculus 1 & 2 |
| Computational Methods 1 |
| Electricity and Magnetism |
| Linear Algebra |
| Mathematical Physics |
| Mechanics and Relativity |
| Physics Laboratory 1 & 2 |
| Physics of Modern Technology |
The Groningen science and engineering programmes stand out for their academic excellence. The work pace in the first year is generally high and the courses contents demanding. The first year curriculum concentrates on laying a sound basis for our engineering and natural science disciplines. This allows our students to choose their specialization tracks already in their second Bachelor's year.
Credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.
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.
wiskunde B + natuurkunde
wiskunde B + natuurkunde
wiskunde B + natuurkunde
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| language test |
Language proficiency certificate for English (except for applicants with a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) as well as the exemptions listed on the language exemptions webpage). More info: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Before you apply! When you cannot fulfil the vwo requirement, due to deficient profile or if you want to be admitted on the basis of a successfully passed first year of HBO or colloquium doctum, you need to submit an additional admission request via the Admission Board Bachelor programmes. Please go to this website for more information. Please note! The admissions procedure is independent of the matching procedure. Information about the matching procedure can be found here |
More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
More information about matching: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Secondary education equivalent to Dutch pre-university education (vwo) is required. A list of qualifications that are considered equivalent to pre-university education in the Netherlands can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/non-dutch-qualification/ |
| additional subject |
Sufficient background knowledge in Mathematics and Physics is required. The Admissions Board will determine whether your background knowledge in these subjects is sufficient to start the Bachelor's degree programme of your choice. |
| language test |
You will need to submit proof of English proficiency in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Please find our English language requirements (exemptions, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and more) on this page: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Please note! The admissions procedure is independent of the matching procedure. Information about the matching procedure can be found here |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 19300 | full-time |
Practical information for:
Applied Physics is a broad Bachelor's programme, after which you can specialize with a Master's degree programme. You can then continue in the academic world or opt for a career in the business world. Many applied physics graduates find work developing new products.
Many applied physics graduates choose a job in industry, contributing to technical innovations and product development. In the SME sector, consultancy and engineering firms are also increasingly looking for applied physicists.
== Research and advising ==
When you have your Master's degree you can carry out PhD research
at a university. You could also work for a research institute such
as TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research)
or the NLR (National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands).
Other openings include managerial and policy positions in a range
of fields, for example in environmental protection or the service
sector.
== Not quite the same as technology ==
Applied physicists, like 'ordinary' physicists, are sought after by
large organizations such as banks and insurance companies, which
value their analytical skills. Management consultancy firms
frequently recruit applied physicists too.
Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
Basic research on materials is directed towards unravelling the relations between the properties that determine their functionality and their chemical composition and structure. The quest for in-depth understanding of these constitutive relations often leads to unexpected boundaries signifying fundamental gaps in our knowledge. Although the structure-property relationship is in itself a truism, the actual linkage between (micro) structural aspects in a material and its physical/chemical properties is elusive. The reason is that various properties are determined by the collective behaviour of molecules, atoms and electrons and their behaviour may be extremely non-linear on different time and length scales.
The classic materials triangle concerns an integrative approach in the three aspects of structure, property and chemical composition. The Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials adds an extra dimension to this traditional view by an unconventional linkage to the field of biomolecular sciences, which includes the design aspects as well.
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, LHC and Beyond the Standard Model physics, holography, string theory and inflation, emission reduction, development and evaluation of (inter)national climate policies, societal and ethical context of scientific/technical transitions towards sustainability.
ESRIG - Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen
Although ESRIG is a Research Institute, bundling strengths leads to new educational possibilities as well in the Master phase the Energy and Environmental Sciences (EES) programme has been operational for several years, under responsibility of IVEM and CIO. At present, this programme offers two tracks: The IVEM track ("Energy and Environmental Sciences"), and the CIO-track ("Experimental studies of greenhouse gases and climate history"). The IVEM track will be extended by elements of SSG research. The CIO-track will be enforced and broadened by the other experimental groups inside ESRIG.
In the Bachelor phase the curriculum of Physics and Chemistry will start with an "energy and environmental" track form the year 2010-2011 onwards. As ESRIG is the central institute for this subject, ESRIG scientists take the lead in both the track design and the actual teaching.
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.
The study for me has been challenging, although incredibly rewarding
I chose to study Applied Physics because the programme includes both theoretical and engineering aspects. During high school, I enjoyed math and physics but was not sure what I wanted as a future career and the Applied Physics bachelor gives a wide range of options for master's degrees and career paths. The study for me has been challenging, although incredibly rewarding. The courses at the beginning of the study cover the basics of physics and therefore they felt a bit more theoretical than I had expected. However, throughout the second and especially third year, the programme becomes more 'applied' by introducing courses such as 'Material sciences', 'Physics of Fluids', and 'Device Physics'. The courses consist of lectures and tutorials, and oftentimes there will be assignments to hand in or a long-term project which is done with peers. The group projects have significantly helped me with the understanding of the material and in addition, have taught me other important skills such as working in groups and writing reports.
Recently, I completed the course Physics Lab 4 where I, with a partner, conducted different experiments, processed the results, wrote an extensive report on our findings and gave a presentation on one of the experiments. During this lab course, I was introduced to various topics which helped me develop my academic skills and my interests in the applied physics field. Next to my studies, I do various sports and I am active in different associations, including the study association T.F.V 'Professor Francken' where I have done different committees including the foreign excursion committee.
Physics is learning about everything around you
My name is Mare and I chose to study Physics since I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. In secondary school, I enjoyed many subjects, making my choice even more difficult.
I knew that I wanted to study something that involved maths but not Mathematics itself, since that is too abstract for my liking. That is why, in the end, I chose Physics. For me, physics is learning about everything around you and trying to understand it by linking it to mathematics.
Along the way, I realized that I wanted to get into the technological side of things and put the physics that I know to use. I’d rather try to find new applications or develop some new device using physics than invest my time into the more abstract side of physics. This is the reason why I switched to Applied Physics in my second year.
I just finished a project in Cambodia involving solar cells and I am now starting my Bachelor’s project on the degradation of perovskite LEDs. In the future, I hope to do more research, possibly on (perovskite) solar cells. What is certain is that I want to do something that contributes to our future with clean energy.
I am also a member of the lacrosse association; I play lacrosse and enjoy all the activities connected to my student association.
I'm interested in science and I love technology
Ever since I was a little boy, I was very interested in science and had an insatiable curiosity about how the world works. I also love technology and that is why I chose to study Applied Physics.
You learn about topics ranging from how electricity and magnetism are related, for example, to what the structure of matter entails and, moreover, how these subjects are related through quantum mechanics. Furthermore, you learn how to solve equations analytically in the numerous Calculus course units as well as numerically through programming.
What I struggled with during my degree programme was the huge difference in solving equations compared to what was taught in secondary school, but that can surely be overcome if you invest enough time and effort.
Besides studying Applied Physics, I also have an active social life. Most often you can find me at my study association, T.F.V. ‘Professor Francken’, where I can just have a quick chat with my friends and play a round of cards. I also play squash at the UG’s sports facility, ACLO, and I train there once a week.
Nutifafa Doumon on organic solar cells
You will be issued a study advice at the end of your first year of study. You can expect a positive study advice if you have earned at least 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS; most course units are 5 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative study advice, you will not be allowed to continue your degree programme.
You will receive a preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you are. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system.
