Testimonials
Read what our current and former students say about their study choice and experiences with the programme.
Lucia Righetti, student
"The programme is very diverse. There are biweekly seminars you can attend and courses like 'Open Science,' which help you understand the contemporary landscape of science while developing additional skills."
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
The Theoretical Physics Master’s programme is unique because it places a strong emphasis on research. In the first year, students focus on acquiring the necessary knowledge to tackle advanced topics in theoretical physics, while the second year is almost entirely dedicated to the research project. This structure allows students to apply the skills learned in the first year while also providing deep immersion in research, making the programme highly stimulating for those interested in pursuing an academic career or working in advanced scientific fields.
Are there any misconceptions about this programme, can you name them?
I can imagine that many people might expect a Theoretical Physics Master’s to focus entirely on courses and exams. In reality, the programme is very diverse. There are biweekly seminars you can attend, which expose you to current scientific discussions, and courses like 'Open Science,' which help you understand the contemporary landscape of science while developing additional skills such as scientific communication and data sharing. This makes the programme more dynamic and better prepares you for the modern world of research and science.
What is the biggest challenge of this programme?
A significant portion of the work consists of weekly exercise sessions that require a lot of independent effort. So active participation is essential, as the workload is continuous, and it can be difficult to catch up if you fall behind. While this approach can be challenging, especially for those not used to such an intensive system, it also helps develop strong discipline and time management skills.
And thinking ahead… to PhD or not to PhD? What would you say?
This programme is heavily research-focused, so I’m definitely inclined toward pursuing a PhD. However, it’s a highly competitive environment, so there’s no guarantee that it will be possible to get a PhD position, but it’s something I’m very interested in. This year, I’ll be focusing on my thesis, which will be crucial to truly understand whether I want to pursue an academic career or not.
What is the future you? What would be your ideal LinkedIn profile in a few years?
As I said, my main goal would be to pursue a PhD, especially given the interest I’ve developed in research during this Master’s programme. However, I’m also aware that after completing this programme, there are many other alternative career paths. The university offers a lot of support in this regard, with various career events where you can connect with companies and research institutes, as well as "Alumni Talks," where former students share their experiences outside of academia.
Simone van der Wijck, student
"With the fast pace of the programme, you develop so quickly, academically as well and personally, and that might lead you to new interests and paths."
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
This programme is unique as it covers a lot of different research fields within physics. Unlike some programmes, where going in you already need to decide which field within physics you want to continue in, this programme gives you the opportunity to still figure out where your interests lie within the first year due to the vast array of courses you can choose from. Moreover, the opportunity to follow courses that are in collaboration with Leiden university and UvA means you still get a feel for what the other universities are like, while studying at UU.
Are there any misconceptions about this programme, can you name them?
Even though this is the theoretical physics programme, you still have the opportunity to follow courses from other natural science Master’s programmes as well. There is a lot of room to shape the programme to your liking.
What is your favourite subject of this programme? Could be a course, a project, an assignment, the thing you like most?
My favourite course I took so far, probably is Advanced Quantum Field Theory. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect going into it, besides it being a continuation of the compulsory Quantum Field Theory course. I ended up really enjoying the course; the contents connected well to the knowledge we had already acquired as well as to other courses you could follow alongside this one (such as Field Theory in Particle Physics). It also provided more information on how to connect what we had learned so far to research being done.
And on the contrary: what is the biggest challenge of this programme?
The first semester can take some getting used to. You follow multiple courses alongside each other, all at a fast pace with weekly exercises to maintain and usually with additional assignments to hand in as well. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of everything, however it can also band you together with your fellow classmates. You quickly learn the importance of working together and asking for help, which are also valuable skills to develop.
Anything else you would like to share with prospective students?
Come into the programme with an open mind. You might already have your mind set on a specific direction for the courses you want to follow and type of research you want to do but be open to deviating from that path. With the fast pace of the programme, you develop so quickly, academically as well and personally, and that might lead you to new interests and paths.
Carlotta Casi, Student
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
This programme gives you the possibility to tailor your studies according to what you like the most. You can stay up to date with the current research topics thanks to the many conferences and events organized weekly by the department. All while living in a stimulating and international environment, with professors and students coming from many different countries all over the world.
If you had to tell something about the programme you know now, but what you didn’t know before you started, what would you tell?
The courses you can choose and the possibilities you have inside the university are much more than I expected. There are a lot of side-jobs you can do at the University and a lot of occasions for getting in touch with other Dutch universities, from joint courses to the possibility of choosing electives outside the UU or from different study programs at the UU. The choice is so broad!
And thinking ahead… to PhD or not to PhD?
My intention is without doubt to do a PhD, but it is not the only thing you can choose. I like that the programme also offers Career Events, during which people working for companies present their work and open us up many other possibilities we have as Theoretical physics students apart from the one of research, which seems the most expected.
What advise would you give prospective students?
It’s good to have an idea of which topics/areas you like to focus on during the Master’s but it is also important to leave yourself free to explore all that is possible within the programme! It’s incredible how a student can change, academically and personally, in just a short amount of time.
Alptug Ulugöl, student
"It is remarkable how the students develop their knowledge to cutting-edge levels in such a short time"
Why did you choose this Master’s?
I was sure that I would pursue a career in theoretical physics in the junior year of my Bachelor's degree. Close to the end of that academic year, my study advisor said it was time to talk about graduate school. When I told him I wanted to continue my studies in Europe, he pointed out that Utrecht University was the university that could truly challenge my skills. After I checked the Theoretical Physics Master's programme and academic staff of Utrecht University, I was sure that Utrecht was the right place for me.
How does the Master’s meet your expectations so far?
The Theoretical Physics programme at Utrecht University has a condensed yet still diverse study programme that extends from condensed matter physics to cosmology and high energy physics. It is remarkable how the students develop their knowledge to cutting-edge levels in such a short time. In my opinion, this is where Utrecht University stands out. On the other hand, it is also the most intimidating aspect of the programme. The prospective students have to be ready for two demanding years. At the moment, I am writing my thesis on spin currents in hydrodynamics, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be introduced to such a novel topic.
What is the relevance of your study you think?
Physics is the study of nature at its most fundamental level. It was essential a thousand years ago, and it will still be aeons later. This has two main reasons; one philosophical and one practical. Humankind's never-ending strive for knowledge will keep us pushing the boundary of physics further and further. Moreover, we are not doing physics just for knowledge's sake. Physics is the fundamental driving force of technology. As long as we keep on advancing technology, we need physics. Driven by these reasons, I will stay at Utrecht to complete my PhD degree after my Master's studies.
Would you recommend this Master’s to others?
If I could go back in time to two years ago, I would choose Theoretical Physics at Utrecht University without a doubt. I believe this programme challenged me in a way that enabled me to become the best version of the physicist I can be. If you want to explore different fields of theoretical physics and are up to a challenge, this Master's is definitely one of the programmes that you should consider.