The department accommodates excellent teaching and research facilities. Teaching and research are closely related. The research programme of the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Groningen is embedded in the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, which belongs to the Times Higher Education top 15 of best materials research institutes in the world. Most of the research is carried out in the same building that accommodates the teaching facilities.

The international environment of the programme, and especially within the research groups, is inspiring and challenging. The Master's degree programme in Applied Physics delivered by the University of Groningen is open to students who already have a solid background in physics or applied physics, and who are eager to expand their knowledge and experience to obtain a Master's degree in a modern applied physics research environment. The programme focuses on material engineering and device physics.

Job prospects

The Master's degree programme in Applied Physics is primarily meant for students who want to become researchers and developers in an industrial environment. However, many graduates continue on to a PhD project after obtaining their Master's degree, either in Groningen or elsewhere.

During the Master's degree, teamwork, communication and presentation are important qualities to be developed. In many cases considerable IT skills are developed as well. These general competences, together with the analytical skills typical of researchers, for example problem-solving abilities, guarantee that graduates are widely employable. Most applied physicists find jobs in an entrepreneurial environment where a strong background in physics is necessary.