Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Understanding the universe

Physics and Astronomy graduates are highly sought-after

As a graduate in Physics and Astronomy in Amsterdam, your training in physics research will make you highly sought-after in the market for PhD candidates and research groups. Your strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with your ability to design, set up, exploit and communicate successful experimental solutions to important scientific questions, will also make you highly attractive to the world beyond physics.

Our alumni have gone on to work in the knowledge-based sector (Philips, Philips Medical Systems, ASML, Océ, TNO, ESA), the financial sector, the IT and consultancy sector (KPN, McKinsey, ING, ABN AMRO), as well as in government (Dutch ministries of EZ, VROM, OCW). If you have strong writing and communication skills, you’ll be well prepared for a career with a newspaper, magazine or science-oriented non-profit organisation.

You can also pursue a science teacher degree. Science education is the foundation of innovations that improve our world. The shortage of certified science teachers, coupled with a knowledge-based economy, means you’ll be highly valued both in and out of the classroom. With a science teaching degree, you can get involved in improving science education as a teacher or in other educational positions. Practical and scientific knowledge of teaching methods and educational psychology can steer your career in many directions.

What can you do after your Master's degree?

Start working

Alumni from the programme are employed by research institutes like the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). But you can also find careers with major multinationals like Shell and Philips, and with telecommunications companies and banks. The public sector likewise offers opportunities, as do software houses and consultancies.

Pursue an academic career

Alternatively, you could pursue an academic career starting with the four-year PhD programme to train you to become an independent researcher. The first year will be mainly spent complementing your theoretical knowledge and preparing the ground for your research. After that, you’ll develop and carry out your own physics research project and write your PhD thesis. In addition to those financed by the university, other PhD positions are supported by bodies like the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), as well as various companies and the European Union.

Want to apply for Physics and Astronomy?

Check the admission requirements

Quick links

Research Research and Impact Support Portal University Library VU Press Office

Study

Education Study guide Canvas Student Desk

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas

About VU

About us Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Safety at VU Amsterdam Colofon Cookies Web archive

Copyright © 2024 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam