Are you curious to understand the fundamental properties of the universe at both the smallest and largest scale? Do you want to develop advanced optical techniques to study quantum, bio-, and nanomaterials? Do you want to build materials bottom-up to achieve novel quantum properties? Are you fascinated by how complex soft and biological matter follows the laws of physics? The Experimental Physics Master's programme will challenge you to go beyond your curiosity and fascination.
Experience modern physics
The research programme Experimental Physics treats many topics and methods of modern physics. Your first year will typically be filled with courses on gravitational waves and subatomic particles, quantum matter and nanophotonics, and/or soft matter and biophysics, depending on your preferences. During your second year you will work on a large thesis project together with researchers in interdisciplinary environments. This gives you the opportunity to experience modern physics research firsthand, and gain hands-on experience with the latest experimental, computational, and theoretical methods.
From fundamental to applied physics
The Experimental Physics programme covers physics on length scales ranging from the subatomic to the astronomical scale. You learn about collision experiments to unravel the fundamental building blocks of matter, or gravitational-wave experiments that provide a new view on the structure of the cosmos. You explore exotic quantum states of matter, such as Bose Einstein condensates. You gain insight into modern data analysis that allows us to see through opaque materials like skin or paper, and master designing nanoparticles that self-assemble into metamaterials with designed properties. If you are interested in biology, you study the physics of DNA and living cells.
Work in state-of-the-art facilities
Work in state-of-the-art facilities — If you choose an experimental or computational thesis project, you have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment. These include world-class electron microscopes of the Electron Microscopy Square of Utrecht University, high-power lasers, confocal microscopes, single-photon-sensitive detectors, scanning tunneling microscopes, sources of THz radiation, state-of-the-art computer clusters, and many more modern physics instruments. The Experimental Physics programme is also strongly connected to the large-ion collider experiment (ALICE) at CERN, Switzerland, and offers associated research projects. Alternatively, exciting theory projects are possible which often have links with experimental and computational efforts by researchers of the programme.
Why in Utrecht
- You can set your own balance between different topics in modern physics, choosing from three specialised tracks.
- You can set your own balance between computer simulations, theory, and experiments.
- You will have the chance to work closely with researchers from other fields like climate physics, chemistry, biology and computer science.
- The courses of the programme have a strong link to research carried out by experimental and computational research groups in the Department of Physics at Utrecht University.
- During the Master’s you will have the opportunity for internships with our industrial partners, at (inter)national research centres or governmental agencies, which allow you to make a well-motivated choice for the first steps of your future career.
Key facts
- Degree:
- Physics (MSc)
- Language of instruction:
- English
- Mode of study:
- Full-time
- Study duration:
- 2 years
- Start:
- February, September
- Tuition fees:
- Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2025-2026: € 2.601
Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2025-2026: € 24.432
More information about fees - Croho code:
- 60202
- Accreditation:
- Accredited by the NVAO
- Faculty:
- Science
- Graduate school:
- School of Natural Sciences
- Brochure:
- Request a brochure