Physics and Astronomy (joint degree UvA/VU)
Career prospects
Graduating from the Physics and Astronomy Master’s programme means more than holding a degree: it signals that you have been trained in one of Europe’s most respected research environments. Closely connected to internationally renowned institutes such as Nikhef, AMOLF, ARCNL, QuSoft and AUMC, as well as world-leading research groups at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the programme is embedded in the very forefront of all aspects of modern Physics and Astronomy.
You will have learned to think like a scientist - combining analytical precision with creative, conceptual insight - and gained hands-on experience with the kind of research that shapes the future of technology and society. This reputation for excellence opens doors to academic, industrial and societal careers around the world.
Graduates of the Master's programme Physics and Astronomy typically pursue careers:
- as PhD students at physics and astronomy institutes around the world, progressing from there to careers in academia or industry
- in research, within industry (in The Netherlands for example in Philips, Shell, Océ, ASML)
- in research, within research institutes (in The Netherlands for example in Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM))
- as teachers, in high schools or universities
- as (technical) policy officers, within (science-oriented) governmental and non-profit organisations
- in business (e.g. ICT companies, telecommunications companies, investment banks, consultancy firms)
- as writers, for (science-oriented) media
- as entrepreneurs