Physics

Overview

KU Leuven organizes regular online info sessions. You can find more information on the KU Leuven website.

The Master of Science in Physics (120 ECTS) is a research-based master’s programme in which you can specialise in the following fields of physics:

• Condensed Matter Physics: Cluster Physics, Surface and Interface Physics, Correlated Electron Systems, Semiconductor Physics, Soft Matter Physics, Physics of Biosystems
• Nuclear Physics: Physics Beyond the Standard Model, Structure of Exotic Nuclei: Decay, Reactions and Laser Spectroscopy, Theoretical Nuclear Physics
• Theoretical Physics: Complex Systems, Cosmology, Mathematical Physics, String Theory

After a semester following advanced courses in different disciplines of physics, you choose a major research profile consisting of advanced and specialised courses and a master’s thesis of 30 ECTS. The remaining 30 ECTS allow you to follow one of two options:

• The Research Option prepares you for a research career in academia or industry. You will broaden your research skills by choosing a minor research domain, including at least 12 ECTS courses from that domain and complemented by a research internship or with other courses.
• The Physics in Society Option offers you the opportunity to prepare for a career as a physicist outside academia through courses preparing you for entrepreneurship or via an internship in a company.

Career perspectives

Many research positions are available in this field. There are excellent career opportunities in ICT, material research, electronics, consulting, government, banking, social profit sector, and within higher education. More than half the students who obtain 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.