Master Applied Physics
Enschede, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EUR 2,530 ┃for EU/EEA students
Key Summary
Deepen your understanding of the laws of physics to find technical solutions in a wide range of areas such as sustainability, healthcare, energy, digitalization, finance, space, high-tech manufacturing, and more.
Can you imagine building electronic systems that are almost as energy efficient as the neurons in our brains? Or encryption technology that makes credit card payments impossible to crack? What about making solar panels significantly more efficient, or medical imaging techniques faster, and more accurate? What opportunities could a quantum computer offer? How fast are icebergs melting, and what does turbulence have to do with this? No one would be able to answer any of these questions without a fundamental understanding of the laws of physics. If you want to join leading research in a world-renowned physics department and deepen your understanding of the laws of physics to find technical solutions in a wide range of areas, the Master’s in Applied Physics at the University of Twente (UT) might just be right for you!
Can you imagine building electronic systems that are almost as energy efficient as the neurons in our brains? Or encryption technology that makes credit card payments impossible to crack? What about making solar panels significantly more efficient, or medical imaging techniques faster, and more accurate? What opportunities could a quantum computer offer? How fast are icebergs melting, and what does turbulence have to do with this? No one would be able to answer any of these questions without a fundamental understanding of the laws of physics. If you want to join leading research in a world-renowned physics department and deepen your understanding of the laws of physics to find technical solutions in a wide range of areas, the Master’s in Applied Physics at the University of Twente (UT) might just be right for you!
Applying for a scholarship?
If you apply for a scholarship for a two- or three-year program, bear in mind that the institutional tuition fees for the following year are not the same. The fees for the subsequent years increase yearly and are therefore higher than the first year. Take this into account when applying for a scholarship. This can prevent you from having to co-finance the difference in tuition fees for the following years.
Choose a specialisation
You have a lot of freedom to tailor your Master’s in Applied Physics to your interests and ambitions. Do you want to dive deeper into the field of optics and nanophotonics? Or are you more interested in fluid dynamics? What about studying the properties, structure, and behaviour of materials, or becoming an expert in quantum physics? You will build your expertise within one of the specialisations.
Your choice determines which courses you will follow and the type of research you will engage in during your master’s thesis. You can choose one of the four specialisations:
- Applied Nanophotonics
- Materials Science
- Physics of Fluids
- Quantum Physics
MSc Applied Physics study programme
You have a lot of freedom in customising your Master’s in Applied Physics.
Within the Master’s in Applied Physics (AP), you will build your expertise within one of the four specialisations. In addition, you can tailor your Master’s with elective courses that suit your interests and ambitions, and you will join one of our excellent research groups during your master’s thesis. This freedom in customising your programme will help you to become the applied physicist you wish to be.
How to compose your Master’s
What your curriculum looks like, depends on the choices you make in composing your Master’s. There are three steps in doing so.
Step 1: Choose a specialisation
At the start of your Master's, you need to choose a specialisation, to build expertise within a specific domain in the field of Applied Physics. This Master’s has four specialisations:
- Applied Nanophotonics
- Materials Science
- Physics of Fluids
- Quantum Physics
Step 2: Compose your study programme
Once you have chosen your specialisation, it is time to think about what the rest of your curriculum should look like. This starts with considering which research group you want to graduate in. Based on this, you will compose your study programme, to prepare well for your final thesis.
Elective courses
Next to some compulsory courses, which depend on the specialisation you choose, you have a great deal of freedom in choosing elective courses. Some specialisations have pre-selected sets of electives in a specific direction of your interest. You can even choose courses beyond the Master’s in Applied Physics. Think, for example, of the Master’s in Applied Mathematics, Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or Chemical Science & Engineering!
Step 3: Find an internship
In your second year, you will do an internship to gain practical experience. There are many options open to you when it comes to choosing your internship. Find out more about internships by choosing a specialisation.
Master’s structure
During your Master’s in Applied Physics (AP), you will collect a total of 120 EC within two years.
First-year
Compulsory courses
- Quantum Mechanics 2
- Mathematical and Numerical Physics
- Heat and Mass Transfer
- Small Signals and Detection
- Ethical and Cultural Awareness
Specialisation courses
- Each specialisation has its own set of courses. Choose a specialisation and find out which ones.
Elective courses
- Each specialisation has considerable elective space in which you can choose specific courses of your interest.
Second year
Internship
In the first part of your second year, you will do an internship, as preparation for the professional field. You can also choose to go on a longer internship of 30 EC and use part of your elective space for this.
Master’s thesis
In the final phase of your master’s, you will join a research group to complete your master’s thesis (40 EC).
Career Perspectives
Upon graduating in Applied Physics, you will receive the title of Engineer or Ingenieur (Ir.) in Dutch. With this title, you will have excellent career opportunities and you can find a job in a wide range of challenging sectors. It is hard to think of any industry that does not in some way rely on the knowledge of physicists. From electronics and high-tech manufacturing, healthcare, IT, sustainable energy technology, semiconductor, automotive, space, and agriculture to the financial sector: many organizations will be eager to onboard you and have you contribute to challenges related to the development of new materials, technologies, or products. Thanks to UT’s connections and close partnerships with renowned companies, you will be able to find a job very soon after graduation.