Master's Programme in Physics – Nuclear and Particle Physics

Year 1

You have a wide range of courses to choose from, including Accelerator Physics and Technology, Advanced Nuclear Physics, Quantum Field Theory and Quantum Chromodynamics. More basic courses are also available, including those in Special Relativity, Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics.

Year 2

A large part of the second year is devoted to a degree project. There are a variety of projects open to you, usually based on one of the experiments the group is actively engaged in. Topics that we offer can range from detector development, over experimental data analysis or simulations of experiments, to theoretical research.

The projects can involve data analysis and simulation or can be more directed toward instrumentation. There is also the possibility of doing a more theoretical project, for example on the structure of hadrons and predictions for their properties, or interpretation of LHC data to test or find discrepancies with the standard model.

The programme has a very strong connection to research in the Division for Nuclear Physics and the Division for High Energy Physics in the same Department, which are internationally highly competitive. The research in our groups is highly collaborative, and during the thesis project, you will be integrated in a research group.

Courses within the programme

See the programme outline for courses within the specialisation.

Our teachers are active researchers and the courses closely follow current developments in nuclear and particle physics.

During a typical week, you will have about 8-10 hours of scheduled classroom time. The majority of time is thus spent studying on your own or in a study group outside the classroom. You can also choose to conduct research projects. They are a lot like thesis work, only shorter in duration, and are an excellent way into a new research field and research group.

Classes are typically small, ranging from a few students up to about 20. This gives you close contact with the teachers as well as your fellow students. Our teaching is in English as the student group is international.

Instruction consists of lectures, teacher-supervised tuition, and guidance in conjunction with laboratory work. The forms of examination vary depending on the course content and design. Final exams are more common for theoretical courses, although many tutors have continuous examinations during the course, such as group discussions and hand-in exercises.

The specialisation in Nuclear and Particle Physics gives you a versatile and solid background in fundamental physics and its applications. You will be very well prepared to go on to pursue a PhD degree in these, or related, fields.

You will also have great opportunities for jobs in industry or government. Our alumni can be found in a wide variety of industry, for example, in engineering, data analysis and software development. They work in fields such as medical technology, medical physics, Big Data, the energy sector, finance, or telecom. For a physicist with such a broad education, the opportunities are endless.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.