MSc in Physics and Astronomy

What will you learn?

The physicists and astronomers at Radboud University are internationally renowned. They attract attention worldwide with spectacular discoveries - from the origin of cosmic particles to magnetism with light.

Under the guidance of a personal tutor, you can choose between four specialisations: Biophysics, High Energy Physics, Astrophysics, and Molecules and Functional Materials. Within the framework of your specialisation, you will have the opportunity to develop your own programme based on the topics you are passionate about. You’ll spend one year on research, and thus get extensive experience in scientific methods.

You can explore these topics with the support of our world-class facilities and staff who will encourage you to develop your ideas and be there to support you every step of the way.

Specialisations

You are able to choose from 5 specialisations within this programme:

• Neurophysics
  Our brain contains many ingenious networks of millions of interconnected neurons. Together, they have an information processing capacity and flexibility that far exceeds modern supercomputers or any artificially intelligent system. In this specialisation, we aim at unravelling the neuro-computational mechanisms of this fascinating, complex system.
• Particle and Astrophysics
  Although Particle Physics and Astrophysics act on completely different length and time scales, they both use the laws of physics to study the universe. In this Master’s specialisation, you’ll dive into these extreme worlds and unravel questions like: What did our universe look like in the earliest stages of its existence? What are the most elementary particles that the universe consists of? And how will it evolve?
• Physics of Molecules and Materials
  Revealing the ‘terra incognita’ between quantum mechanics and the classical world and inspiring new technologies. As a scientist, you’re a problem solver. But how do you tackle a problem when there are no adequate theories and calculations become far too complicated? In the specialisation in Physics of Molecules and Materials, you’ll be trained to take up this challenge in a field of physics that is still largely undiscovered: the interface between quantum and classical physics.
• Science and Society
  Science and technology have a profound influence on society, but the reverse is also true: society significantly shapes the ways in which science and technology evolve. However, experience shows that scientists on the one hand and the general public, government and businesses on the other aren’t always able to clearly understand one another. That is why experts with a background in science and an understanding of social processes are indispensable. This specialisation will equip you with the knowledge, tools and skills to be a professional intermediary between science and society whilst getting a broader societal perspective.
• Science, Management and Innovation
  All organisations struggle with challenges such as sustainability, health, energy, and IT security. Many of the challenges that society faces are rooted in the natural or computer sciences but have strong links to other disciplines. Solutions require scientists with an analytical as well as a societal understanding of these issues. This Master’s specialisation will provide you with expertise in a societal challenge and the ability to speak the language of policy and business.
  

The programme is structured as follows:

• Major internship (60 EC)
• Major courses (30 EC)
• Philosophy and professional preparation (7 EC)
• Elective courses (23 EC)

Career prospects

Seventy per cent of graduates continue to do a PhD project in Nijmegen or elsewhere in the world. Within our research institutes, there are vacancies that come up every year. In addition, graduates also find work as researchers and managers within international companies such as Philips, McKinsey and ASML and research institutes such as ESA and CERN.

Graduates could also find work as:

• Private consultants
• Operations managers
• Technology managers
• Actuaries
• Researchers and various institutes
• Policymakers
• Systems analysts
• Technical consultants