Around 15% of our students are women. You will also be taught by several female lecturers throughout the programme.
Around 50 students enrol each year. Tutorials, practicals and projects are taught in smaller groups, ranging from 5 to 35 students.
Around 70% of our first-year students progress to their second year. The other 30% leave the programme at some point during their studies. There are various reasons for this. For some, Applied Physics turns out not to be the right choice after all. Others switch to a university of applied sciences because it is a better fit for them.
Experience shows that students who achieve at least a 7 in Mathematics and Physics at VWO level are more likely to successfully complete the Applied Physics programme. Most students who leave do so relatively early, usually during their first year.
The University of Twente supports you in choosing another degree programme if needed. More than 70% of our students complete their Bachelor’s degree within four years.
Still unsure whether Applied Physics is the right degree for you? Take a look at our study choice test.
Take a look at our study programme. Here you can find more information about modules and courses.
Mathematics is the language of an applied physicist, so you will encounter plenty of mathematics from the very first year. Around 30% of the courses in the first year are mathematics courses. It is also important that you enjoy mathematics and are keen to apply it to solve physics problems.
In your first year, you will spend around €350 on books, with costs decreasing in subsequent years. Many of the books you buy in your first year will be useful throughout your degree. Later on, you will also work more with course notes, which cost around €50 per year.
If you need expensive books for projects, you can usually borrow them. And of course, many books and resources are available in the university library.
A laptop is not officially compulsory, but in practice, you cannot really do without one. Everyone is expected to have a laptop. During the programme, you will use it not only during practicals, but also, for example, to run advanced software for solving physics problems.
The University of Twente offers excellent facilities for laptop users. The entire campus has free wireless internet access. You can also make use of purchasing a laptop via the Laptop project, helping to keep costs manageable while giving you access to good service and support. For more information about the laptop project, visit the website of the Notebook Service Center.
Absolutely! The Arago study association organises a five-day trip through Europe every year, visiting several leading physics companies as well as a few interesting cities.
Every two years, there is also a three-week intercontinental study trip, for example to Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Russia or New Zealand. But there are other ways to gain international experience as well. For example, you can go abroad for an internship during your Master’s degree. You can also choose to spend some time studying at another university in Europe.
We believe that good study guidance is important throughout your Bachelor’s degree. The Applied Physics programme has a continuous mentoring programme. Your mentor can help you if you encounter any difficulties, but also support you in choosing the right Master’s programme and show you opportunities to make the most of your time at UT, such as an Honours programme.
No. You can also start the BSc Applied Physics with a different VWO profile. However, your profile must include Mathematics B and Physics, and preferably Mathematics D as well.
Read more about the admission requirements.
Studying at university is very different from secondary school. The level is higher and, above all, the pace is faster. This also applies to Applied Physics. If you choose to study Applied Physics, you should be comfortable with science and mathematics. Experience shows that students who achieve at least a 7 in Mathematics and Physics at VWO level are more likely to successfully complete the programme.
Applied Physics is generally considered a challenging degree programme that requires you to work consistently and put in considerable effort. However, if you keep up with your studies, you will still have plenty of time to relax.
The BSc Applied Physics uses what is known as a binding study advice (BSA). This advice is issued at the end of your first year. You will receive a negative BSA if you do not meet the programme’s BSA requirements.
For Applied Physics, this means that you must earn three-quarters of the credits in your first year, or 45 EC's. Of course, we take special circumstances into account, such as illness or pregnancy, exceptional family circumstances or serving on a student board.
We believe it is important that every student finds the right fit as quickly as possible. Experience shows that students who earn less than two-thirds of the credits in their first year have a low chance of successfully completing the programme.
The Master's in Applied Physics takes two years.
The corresponding Master’s programme Applied Physics offers four specialisations Materials Science, Photonics, Physics of Fluids and Quantum Physics.
However, this is not the only Master’s option available to you after studying Applied Physics. You can also choose a non-physics Master’s programme, such as Industrial Engineering and Management or Chemical Science & Engineering. In that case, you will first need to complete a preparatory bridging programme. Alternatively, you can choose a Physics Master’s programme at another university in the Netherlands or abroad.
Yes. With a BSc degree in Applied Physics, you have excellent job prospects. Experience shows that all graduates find a suitable job or PhD position within three months after graduating. This may even be with the company where they completed their internship.
Half of our Applied Physics graduates go into research. The other half work on designing products and processes for companies and engineering consultancies, or pursue careers in consultancy or financial services. This is becoming increasingly common as these sectors recognise that Applied Physics graduates have excellent analytical skills, making them well suited for roles in project management.
Deadlines for enrolment vary, depending on factors such as whether you need a visa to study at the University of Twente. Our web pages on admission and enrolment give you more information on deadlines.
Here's an indication of your cost of living as a student at the University of Twente.
You can meet up with other international students by joining one of our international student associations. The University of Twente is home to many different international student associations, which are listed on our student associations web page.
Applied Physics is an English-taught Bachelor’s programme. To be admitted to the programme you do not have to speak Dutch. However, learning a little Dutch could be useful while you are living in the Netherlands. There are a number of ways to learn Dutch during your stay here. Discover more about learning Dutch on the website for international students.
As the programme is taught entirely in English, you will need a high level of English proficiency (CEFR, B2/C1 level; minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or equivalent). As a Dutch high school graduate at pre-university level (VWO), your English will be sufficient. See for more detailed information our language requirements