Meet all physics programs in one day!

Universiteit van Amsterdam/Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Physics and Astronomy

The English-taught Master’s programme Physics and Astronomy in Amsterdam is a joint degree between Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). As a student, you will therefore benefit from the expertise, networks and research projects at both universities. UvA and VU jointly issue a degree certificate to graduates. The start date of this two-year programme is September 1st.

Within the Physics and Astronomy Master’s programme, you’re sure to find an area suited to your individual talents and ambitions. There are six specialisations to choose from:

Advanced Matter and Energy Physics

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Biophysics and Biophotonics

Gravitation, Astro- and Particle Physics

Science for Energy and Sustainability

Theoretical Physics

In your second year, you will join one of the many experimental or theoretical research groups affiliated with the two universities. Your research will culminate in a Master’s thesis and a final presentation.

Are you interested in teaching? You can change the scope of your Master’s programme by choosing a specialisation on education in your second year. When you choose this specialisation (only in Dutch), you will receive a teaching certification for secondary education.

VU and UvA score highly on the organisation of their curriculum, their working methods and their facilities. Personal guidance plays an important role in the Master’s programme. You will remain in close contact with your tutor throughout, helping you get the best results you can.

VU and UvA are internationally renowned for their physics and astronomy research. You’ll be working with leading international researchers in advanced laboratories, such as the VU LaserLaB. Both the Physics departments have strong ties with Chemistry, Biology and Medicine, and are home to leading research groups working on physics of the cell, biophysics, physical chemistry and laser-related sciences. Through their participation in the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef), the departments are involved in experiments such as at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Geneva. Our departments also cooperate in projects at renowned institutes such as the Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) and the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL).