After getting your Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics, you can further specialise by completing a master’s programme. Most students choose to do this. You can follow a master’s at the University of Twente, at another Dutch university or at a university abroad. A few join the job market straight away or start their own business.
Most Applied Physics graduates enter the English-taught Master’s in Applied Physics. With your Bachelor’s degree you have direct access to this Master’s programme, in which you can specialise in Materials Science, Photonics, Physics of Fluids or Quantum Physics.
With a Bachelor's in Applied Physics, you can also pursue other master's programmes, for example: Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering & Management or Sustainable Energy Technology.
For most Engineering & Technology master’s programmes, you can be admitted with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics after completing a pre-master’s programme. You may already be able to complete this pre-master’s programme as part of your minor during your bachelor’s degree. The same applies to master’s programmes at other universities in the Netherlands and abroad.
A master’s degree in social sciences, such as Psychology, Philosophy or Public Administration, is also an option. In most cases, a tailored pre-master’s programme is required.
Do you want to deepen your knowledge in the field of applied physics and convey your passion to others after your studies? For Dutch-speaking students, we offer the possibility to combine their master's programme with an additional master's degree from the teacher's programme: Science Education (you will be forwarded to a Dutch website). Upon completion, you will not only have a second master's degree, but also your first-degree teaching qualification enabling you to teach in junior and senior secondary education in the Netherlands.
In addition, you can choose to combine the Master's in Applied Physics with another master's degree in a related field for example Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. These double-degree trajectories are individually tailored, allowing you to create a study programme that matches your academic interests and career ambitions. This provides a unique opportunity to broaden your expertise and develop an interdisciplinary profile.
Become a teacher in secondary (Dutch) education by following the Dutch-taught Master’s in Science Education and inspire students with your knowledge of science.
You are trained to develop fundamental knowledge of physics and translate it into working technology with a strong societal impact. If you want to start working straight after completing your master’s degree, there are plenty of career opportunities, including in Twente, the Netherlands’ rapidly growing high-tech industrial region. Most graduates find a job within three months.
You will often work in a role where you apply your problem-solving skills and theoretical knowledge of physics to practical challenges.
In physics research, the focus is on developing new materials, technologies and products. Almost half of our graduates go on to work as researchers. This could be at a research institute or in a Research & Development department within industry. A position at a university is also an option. Many graduates apply for PhD positions, where they conduct research for four years. After successfully completing your PhD, you can use the title Doctor (Dr).
Applied physicists are in high demand for managerial and consultancy roles, thanks to their strong analytical skills. Possible career paths include working as a project manager, consultant or head of an R&D department at a large company.
Youdesign a production process or product, such as a miniature projector for a mobile phone. If you enjoy working on process innovation, you could, for example, work as a consultant at an engineering consultancy.
Well-known companies where graduates of this programme work include ASML, Accenture, KPMG, Philips and TNO. In the Twente region, our alumni work at companies such as Demcon, Micronit Technologies and Thales. Many applied physicists also pursue careers in the banking sector.
You can also start your own business with a solution that you have developed. UT is an entrepreneurial university: we are strong in the application of expertise to meaningfully influence society. Together with our students, we like to work with the innovation specialists from Novel-T, who like to tap into promising innovative business cases.
An example of a spin-off that emerged from this programme is LioniX International, a global leader in customised microsystem solutions. Another example is Medspray, a specialist in the development and production of medical spray devices.