invent, design and develop innovative solutions on the extremely small nanoscale.

How can you diagnose diseases, such as cancer, at an early stage? Are there more sustainable ways to store energy to make the energy transition possible? And how can you make a sensor that checks water pollution levels on a large scale? These important, societal questions all have one thing in common: nanotechnology might be the answer! In the Master’s in Nanotechnology at the University of Twente (UT), you become an expert in this exciting, upcoming field.

The research field of nanotechnology might focus on an extremely small scale, but if you think it is a small discipline: think again. Nanotechnology is everywhere. It’s in our phones, our computer chips, our solar panels, our food, our cars, our medicine, our cosmetics and the list goes on and on. The scope of nanoscience is exceptionally wide, with five main application areas: Health, Energy & Sustainability, Security, Agriculture, and Water & Technology.

Nanotechnology combines multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, electrical and biomedical engineering. This multidisciplinarity makes this Master’s unique. Whereas nanotechnology is normally part of a monodisciplinary programme, like for example applied physics or chemical engineering, the University of Twente is the only research university in the Netherlands that offers a Master’s in Nanotechnology that integrates all disciplines. This way, you can become the multi-skilled researcher that you want to be.

Nanotechnology, what is it?

Each second, your fingernail grows about one nanometre – a billionth of a metre. The multidisciplinary research field of Nanotechnology deals with dimensions and tolerances at this extremely small scale of less than 100 nanometres. It focuses on the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. It is all about studying the changes that the physical and chemical properties of a material undergo at nanoscale in order to design and develop functional materials, structures, devices and systems.

Nanotechnology in Twente

If you’re interested in the upcoming field of nanoscience and nanoengineering, then the University of Twente is the place to follow your Master’s. Not only is our university the only research university in the Netherlands to offer a Master’s in Nanotechnology, the region Twente is also home to the MESA+ Institute, one of the world’s leading institutes in nanotechnology.

In this research institute, over 500 scientists collaborate on cutting-edge research at the highest level in the field of materials science, lab-on-a-chip technology, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics, membranes, MEMS and nanofluidics. Many high-tech spin-off companies are rooted in this institute and market developed technologies, such as Lionix, Micronit, LipoCoat, U-Needle, Medspray and IamFluidics, all of which operate within Twente and the MESA+ institute.

Unique access to the NanoLab

MESA+ is home to a state-of-the-art NanoLab with a cleanroom of 1250 m², equipped with a wide variety of technologies capable of developing an almost unlimited number of applications. The NanoLab also comprises Analysis facilities, the BioNanoLab, the Microscope & Analysis Centre.

In the NanoLab, any influencing effects from the environment, such as vibration and electromagnetic disturbances, are virtually non-existent. The environmental conditions inside the building, such as temperature, humidity and the influence of light are extremely stable.

As a student, you will have unique access to this NanoLab including the cleanroom, thanks to the programme’s deep connections with MESA+. This way, you can be sure of an exciting research environment and the best academic training in the world.

Career perspectives

Most of our graduates continue with a PhD – at, for instance, Twente’s world-renowned MESA+ Institute. Others fulfil jobs at all kinds of high-tech companies, creating new materials, technologies or products in sectors such as energy, water, healthcare or electronics, and some even go on to start their own companies!

Related programmes

Below you find a list of educational programmes which are (closely) related to Nanotechnology.

Engineering & Technology

Applied Mathematics

Expand your understanding of mathematics to tackle challenging issues in a variety of sectors. This Master’s teaches you to discover new patterns and predict them through mathematical models.

Applied Physics

Deepen your understanding of the laws of physics to find technical solutions in a wide range of areas such as IT, sustainability, healthcare, chiptechnology, digitalisation, finance, space and more.

Biomedical Engineering

Technological advances are at the heart of innovation in healthcare. In this Master's, you'll learn to develop medical innovations that contribute to better care, from organ-on-a-chip to exoskeleton.

Business Information Technology

Become an expert in IT-based business innovation, able to devise new services and radically improve the way businesses work.

Chemical Science & Engineering

Develop new chemical processes, materials and molecules and contribute to innovations that benefit our society in areas such as health, water, food and sustainability.

Civil Engineering & Management

Do you want to work on future-proof solutions in the construction, water and/or transport sector? Learn to manage civil engineering projects with an eye for both technical and non-technical aspects.

Computer Science

Become an expert computer scientist and learn to solve the biggest challenges of our digital society by designing and developing more secure and efficient ICT systems.

Construction Management & Engineering

Become an expert in managing large-scale, complex construction projects in an increasingly digitised industry, using an innovative, integral approach.

Electrical Engineering

Design smart and sustainable electronics and advanced chips for applications such as biomedical technology, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, nanotechnology and the energy transition.

Embedded Systems

Become an expert in designing the software and hardware of complex embedded systems in vehicles, pacemakers and chipsets, amongst others.

Humanitarian Engineering

Do you want to tackle complex humanitarian crises worldwide? This Master’s helps you develop sustainable, socio-technological solutions to challenges faced by underserved and marginalised communities.

Industrial Design Engineering

Do you want to design innovative products that improve daily life and address today’s challenges? In this Master’s, you combine design and engineering to enhance both products and product development.

Industrial Engineering & Management

Combine technical expertise with management skills to analyse, improve, and future-proof complex business processes in (international) organisations.

Interaction Technology

Delve into the field of human-computer interaction and design and develop intelligent and interactive technologies that are meaningful to people and society.

Mechanical Engineering

Become an expert mechanical engineer who focuses on the futureproof design, analysis and maintenance of machinery, structures, products and production processes.

Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society

How does technology shape our lives and the world we live in? Learn to understand the role of modern technology in our society from a philosophical perspective.

Robotics

Become an expert in robotics: design smart, human-centred robots and combine AI, mechatronics, systems integration and ethics to make a real impact in industry and society.

Spatial Systems & Society

Natural disasters, poverty, food shortages, epidemics, and climate change: learn to tackle society’s complex challenges through urban design, urban planning, socio-economics insight and spatial data.

Sustainable Energy Technology

Work towards the energy transition! In this Master's, you will learn to conceive, develop and apply sustainable energy solutions for a future without fossil fuels.

Technical Medicine

This Dutch-taught Master's equips you to use AI, medical imaging and smart sensors to improve diagnoses, personalise treatments and safely apply technology in clinical practice.

Natural Sciences