Master of Science in Physics

  My profile | Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

Students participating in the Master of Physics programme will prepare a Master’s thesis in a research domain related to e.g. nuclear physics, solid state physics, soft matter physics, or theoretical physics, closely related to one or more of the research units of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

My profile

The programme aims to train physicists capable of working in research institutes or corporate environments. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will have acquired:

• Thorough knowledge of physics in general as well as more in-depth knowledge of a specialist area
• The ability to make sound judgments informed by current research
• The ability to gain new insights and results and to develop new methods
• The ability to solve physical problems using the most appropriate experimental and/or theoretical methods and to report on research findings
• The ability to structure and analyse specific problems in different situations
• Strong teamwork skills
• The ability to communicate findings and insights
• A critical understanding of the role that physics plays in society

Admission requirements

To the definitive admission requirements
Click the -icon next to 'admission requirements'.

Study programme

The Master of Physics consists of 120 credits (European Credit Transfer System – ECTS), spread over two years. In the first year, theoretical courses provide a solid foundation for further study, while students develop their research skills by undertaking a research project. The second year includes the Master’s thesis, i.e. an extensive written report of research conducted in one of the department’s physics research groups.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Assets

The Department of Physics and Astronomy aims to explore physical realities by means of mathematical, computational, experimental, and observational techniques. Fifteen teams undertake internationally competitive research. Publishing research results in leading journals and attracting top-level scientists are key priorities. The department is not only dedicated to the study of new physics and the development of innovative techniques, but it also maintains close links with industry (e.g., consulting, patents) and society (science communication). Additionally, the department is responsible for teaching basic physics courses in several study programmes.

Career prospects

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at KU Leuven is a research-based institute that generates substantial research funding. Consequently, many research positions are available, and more than half the students obtaining a Master’s degree in Physics eventually start a PhD programme in one of the department’s research groups. A number of graduates prefer to pursue a second Master’s degree, with medical radiation physics, environmental sciences and statistics being the most popular subjects. There are also excellent career opportunities in industry (e.g., ICT, material research, electronics), consulting, government, banking (statistics) and higher education. Unemployment is nonexistent among newly graduated physicists.

Registration fee

To the definitive registration fees

Motivated and talented international students, interested in participating in an international master programme of the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven are invited to apply for a scholarship.

More information

Visit this programme's website. If you have other questions, contact:

Administrative Office
Geel Huis
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01

Application