As a graduate of the Master’s in Applied Physics with a specialisation in Quantum Physics, you have promising career prospects ahead of you, as quantum experts are needed in many different sectors and industries. Before diving straight into the job market, you could also first continue with a PhD or EngD programme. Or what about becoming an entrepreneur and starting up your own business?
Type of degree
When you have completed this Master's with a specialisation in Quantum Physics, you will receive a Master’s degree in Applied Physics. Also, you can title yourself Master of Science (MSc) or use the title of Engineer/Ingenieur (Ir.) in Dutch. Your specialisation will be mentioned specifically on your diploma supplement, highlighting your specialised knowledge and skills in the field of quantum physics.
Job opportunities
Our world currently finds itself in the midst of the second quantum revolution and industries worldwide are eagerly looking to see how the future of quantum will unfold. Scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, record levels of investments and big national and international programmes on the acceleration of quantum technology show the promising prospects of the quantum revolution. Now is the perfect time to start building a career in the field of quantum physics! Your knowledge of quantum computing, sensors, materials, and more will be highly valuable in a wide range of industries.
As a graduate, you can join one of the many fast-growing start-ups in the field of quantum technology like QuiX Quantum, for instance, which emerged from the University of Twente. But quantum experts are also in high demand at companies in other sectors. You could for example use your knowledge of quantum computing and cryptography in the financial sector, working at a bank like ING or ABN AMRO, or in challenges around data security at governmental institutions or other employers. But you could also look forward to a promising career in the IT, biomedical, energy, aerospace or manufacturing industry. And since it’s such a new and evolving field, you might even be looking forward to jobs that do not even exist yet!
Start a business
At UT, we highly encourage entrepreneurship. This University is the birthplace of a large number of high-tech spin-off companies that market developed technologies. You could use your research or even inventions stemming from your master’s thesis and/or your PhD research to start up your own innovative company as well! UT has been voted the most entrepreneurial university in the Netherlands four times in a row. We have a unique approach of putting scientific knowledge to practical use and turning our expertise and yours into solutions that people and society actually need. As a catalyst for meaningful entrepreneurship, we offer you the Novel-T foundation and their start-up hub Incubase on campus.
Former students have gone before you. For example, LioniX International was once started up by a graduate of Applied Physics at the University of Twente, just like Micronit. Will you be next?
Post-master opportunities
Instead of pursuing a professional career right away after obtaining your Master’s degree, you can also opt for a more academically oriented career, by pursuing a PhD or EngD. An EngD programme is more practically oriented, and aligned with the direct problem-solving or design needs of the industry, whereas a PhD programme is more focused on research. You can follow both types of programmes at the Twente Graduate School (TGS).
Continue as a researcher: obtain a PhD
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) involves spending four years of in-depth studying and researching in a particular area. You can do this within one of our research groups or in one of our structured PhD programmes. An integral part of a PhD is writing your PhD thesis at the end and then presenting and defending your research in public. Obtaining your PhD earns you the title of Doctor (Dr).
Follow an EngD programme
Other than obtaining a PhD, you can also opt to follow an EngD programme after graduation. Such a programme usually takes two years and is aimed at you becoming a high-level technological designer. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certified diploma and the academic degree title, Professional Doctorate in Engineering (EngD).