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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Nanoscience
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Nanoscience

How can cheaper and more efficient batteries and solar cells be fabricated? Is it possible to make a computer that works like the human brain? Can we control the quantum properties on the nanoscale for useful applications? Can we make cheap detectors and sensors to detect vira in extremely low concentrations or to take non-destructive x-ray photos?

Nanoscience is an interdisciplinary field at the border between physics, chemistry, materials science, and biochemistry, which allows answering these questions. The manipulation of matter on the nanoscale offers new opportunities to solve key scientific challenges in the modern world.

The Top Master Programme in Nanoscience has been reviewed as excellent three times in a row (Dutch Ministry of Education) and is embedded in a top research institute. The mission of the programme in Nanoscience is to educate and train future PhD-students who have the drive to perform cutting edge research in this highly interdisciplinary field, excel in critical thinking and collaborate with their peers to reach out for a larger goal. This is achieved using the advantages of a small, selective programme with students, teachers, and research groups in close contact. This allows for intensive and efficient interaction, with plenty of hands-on experiments in the lab and participation in high-level scientific research projects. Teachers and supervisors represent the excellent research groups of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials National Research Centre. Students follow a challenging and highly demanding curriculum, combining both the broadness and depth necessary for a successful research career. On average, 95% of the students graduating continue their PhD either in Groningen or abroad.

Career perspectives
On average, 95% of the students graduating continue their PhD either in Groningen or abroad. After this students follow careers as researchers in top high-tech industries such as ASML and AkzoNobel, in state of the art start-ups as QDI systems and Compass Labs, or they follow an academic career at top universities.


Selective Master's degree programme
This is a selective Master's programme, welcoming a diverse collection of students from all over the world. An interview is part of the selection procedure, where emphasis is put on motivation , interdisciplinary attitude, and talent . The selected students form a small and tightly bound cohort (about 15 students) and receive ample attention from and interaction with our professors. For more information about the selection procedure, please visit this page .
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Nanoscience
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60618
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Working together with world-class scientists: Top researchers from Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials National Research Centre provide education in the courses and supervision in four individual projects. The institute is a leading international research centre in the field. It belongs to the Times Higher Education top 20 of best materials research institutes in the world. It unites around 300 leading researchers motivated to perform high level collaborative research across disciplines .

  • You will be studying as a cohort in a small but very motivated and talented group of (international) students.

  • The programme is built around the research cycle, starting with design, proceeding to synthesis and device building, then characterization and investigation, further to the theoretical foundation and returning to improved design.

  • In soft skill workshops students are trained in (report, paper, and grant) writing, presenting, time-management, peer-feedback, and science ethics. Skills valuable for both for a career in academia and industry.
Programme

Curriculum

Two-year programme; credits per year: 60 ECTS.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/research/zernike/education/topmasternanoscience/

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

In consultation a part of a project may be done abroad.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Molecular Science and Technology (joint degree)Delft University of Technology

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Applied PhysicsDelft University of Technology

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Twente

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Applied PhysicsUniversity of Twente

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Chemical EngineeringEindhoven University of Technology

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Applied PhysicsEindhoven University of TechnologyAdditional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Chemistry (joint degree)University of Amsterdam

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)University of AmsterdamAdditional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Chemistry (joint degree)VU University Amsterdam

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)VU University AmsterdamAdditional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
PhysicsUniversity of GroningenAdditional requirements
Applied PhysicsUniversity of GroningenAdditional requirements
ChemistryUniversity of GroningenAdditional requirements
Chemical EngineeringUniversity of GroningenAdditional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

For students with a science specialization.

Life Science and TechnologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Depending on electives

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Physics and AstronomyUtrecht UniversityAdditional requirements
ChemistryUtrecht UniversityAdditional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesUtrecht University

Additional requirements

More information:

University College Utrecht; for students with a science specialization. University College Roosevelt; for students with a science specialization.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Physics and AstronomyRadboud University NijmegenAdditional requirements
ChemistryRadboud University NijmegenAdditional requirements
ScienceRadboud University Nijmegen

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Molecular Science and Technology (joint degree)Leiden University

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter
PhysicsLeiden University

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • assessment interview
  • (motivation-) letter

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A universitary Bachelor's degree in either Physics or Chemistry, Materials Science, or in a related field. 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 MSc Nanoscience.

More information: https://www.rug.nl/research/zernike/education/topmasternanoscience/

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students with a different academic Bachelor's degree or from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) is published here: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/msc-admissions/

grade list

Please submit your previous study results (transcript of records) and planning of the remaining course units (if applicable).

assessment interview

Promising candidates are invited to Groningen for a selection interview, mostly between April and June (depending on date of application and visa requirements).

Early bird application: Applications before 15 November will be processed with priority. Promising candidates are invited for a selection interview in February.

reference letter

This is a selective MSc. In order to be considered for admission to the programme, your application should contain two letters of reference.

(motivation-) letter

This is a selective master. In order to be considered for admission to the programme, your application should contain a letter of motivation and curriculum vitae.

other admission requirements

Optional admissions requirements include:

  • WRITING SAMPLE (optional document)

Provide a report personally written by the applicant that reflects the ability to produce a well-structured and concise report. The assignment handed in is free of choice and can be a report on a practicum, experiment, a literature review, a bachelor's thesis, etc.

  • RELEVANT COURSE DESCRIPTION (optional document)

BEFORE YOU APPLY
Make sure to visit the MSc Application Procedure' page for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

Early bird application: Applications before 15 November will be processed with priority. Promising candidates are invited for a selection interview in February.

The Top Master Nanoscience is a selective master's degree programme for which about 15 students are accepted each year. The programme values high-quality and small-scale education with plenty of room for personal attention and development of our students. Therefore, a selection procedure is part of the admissions process. You can find detailed information about this selection procedure on the website of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials.

For more information about the programme, application and admission, and the curriculum outline, please check this page.

Selection procedure

An applicant must both meet the admission requirements and be selected in order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 February 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A universitary Bachelor's degree in either (Applied) Physics, (Applied) Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanoscience or in a related field. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Board of Admissions determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.

More information: https://www.rug.nl/research/zernike/education/topmasternanoscience/

grade list

Please submit your previous study results (Transcript of Records) and planning of the remaining course units (if applicable).

assessment interview

Promising candidates are invited to Groningen for a selection interview, mostly between April and June (depending on date of application and visa requirements).

Early bird application: Applications before 15 November will be processed with priority. Promising candidates are invited for a selection interview in February.

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.

reference letter

Two reference letters need to be provided.

(motivation-) letter

This is a selective master. In order to be considered for admission to the programme, your application should contain a letter of motivation and curriculum vitae.

other admission requirements

Optional admissions requirements include:

  • WRITING SAMPLE (optional document)

Provide a report personally written by the applicant that reflects the ability to produce a well-structured and concise report. The assignment handed in is free of choice and can be a report on a practicum, experiment, a literature review, a bachelor's thesis, etc.

  • RELEVANT COURSE DESCRIPTION (optional document)

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Make sure to visit the MSc Application Procedure page for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

Early bird application: Applications before 15 November will be processed with priority. Promising candidates are invited for a selection interview in February.

The Top Master Nanoscience is a selective master's programme for which about 15 students are accepted each year. The Master values high-quality and small-scale education with plenty of room for personal attention and development of our students. Therefore, a selection procedure is part of the admissions process. You can find detailed information about this selection procedure on the website of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Full or partial scholarships are available for all admitted students. We advise prospective students to also look for other scholarships and funding.

For more information about the programme, application and admission, and the curriculum outline, please check this page.

Selection procedure

An applicant must both meet the admission requirements and be selected in order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 February 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

The programme is designed for people who want to pursue a career in scientific research.

A PhD in the Netherlands normally takes four years, after the Master's degree has been obtained. Upon successful completion of the Top Master Programme in Nanoscience, the student will be in an excellent position for a career in research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. 95% of the Top Master Nanoscience graduates continue their career in a PhD position at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials National Research Centre or elsewhere.


Job examples

  • PhD research position at a University or research institute
  • R&D positions at companies
  • Consulting
  • Large companies
  • Innovative start-up companies
Research

Get involved in Research at the Zernike Institute - Ranked in THES World's top 20

The Top Master's degree programme in Nanoscience is closely linked to the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, a leading international research centre, ranked amongst the top 20 of the world.

Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials

The Institute's mission is the design and scientific study of materials for functionality. It aims to maintain its position as an internationally recognised, leading, materials research and training institute. As an institute, it conducts research that is addressing fundamental questions in the fields of functional materials. In this way, it wants to optimise the synergy and knowledge transfer between the sub-disciplines of physics, chemistry and (with less weight) biology. Also, the Institute educates a new generation of researchers in a cross-disciplinary approach to better prepare the graduates for the diversity and quality of skills needed in society.

Research at the 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.

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Contact

  • Nanoscience Facebook Page (Like us for the latest news or get in touch with Nanoscience staff and students)
  • Programme Coordinator (For questions regarding the programme)
    Email: coord.nano rug.nl
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl