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
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:
| 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 |
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.
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Physics | All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of A special programme is available for holders of a Dutch HBO Bachelor's degree. For details, please contact the programme coordinator. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Applied Physics | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Astronomy | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of Indicatie van het schakelprogramma:
Neem contact op met de studie-adviseur voor meer informatie. |
| Physics and Astronomy | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and Astronomy (joint degree) | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and Astronomy (joint degree) | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Specific requirements | More 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 |
| 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. |
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).
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More 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 |
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).
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 24200 | full-time |
Practical information for:
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.
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:
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.
Analytical thinking and problem solving are skills the programme taught me well
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.
You learn a lot of skills which are applicable in our world today.
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!
Quantum Universe: a student's experience
Advanced Materials: a student's experience
Science, Business and Policy: a student's experience
'Wave' sends information through magnet
