Photonics Engineering

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The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers the Master of Photonics Science and Engineering jointly with Ghent University (UGent). When you enroll in this English taught master, you will follow the courses at UGent during the first semester of the first master year and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel during the second semester.

The aim of this master programme is to educate you to become an engineer and scientist with a solid knowledge in photonics and the ability to apply theory into design, realisation and management of photonic systems.

This Master offers

* a specialization in photonic materials, components and systems. Lasers and LED's, optical fibres and liquid crystals, optical sensors and detectors will reveal all their secrets to you.


* a wide variety of elective courses in ICT, electronics, business apsects of photonics, multimedia....


* an industrial internship which will give you the opportunity to get in touch with the Photonics Industry.


* a multidisciplinary training in Photonics and Photonics-related subjects, organized by two universities that are both at the top of the innovative world of Photonics.


* the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and skills in other domains, such as ICT, biosciences, physics and chemistry of materials, industrial management etc



Core and advanced photonics courses

The first year will be devoted mainly to a programme of core photonics courses with essentially the same content at both institutes, complemented by a number of advanced photonics courses as well as several courses in related disciplines and transferable skill courses.

During the second year, you will study where you do your master thesis. This two-year program leads to a joint degree from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and UGent.

Mobility
Courses are taught at two locations:

* the first semester of the first master year at the Universiteit Gent


* the second semester of the masterfirst year at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel



In the second year the location of study is determined by the subject of your master thesis. During your second master year it is also possible to study at a foreign university (several bilateral agreements have been set up with foreign universities with a strong programme in the field of photonics). All compulsory courses are taught at both locations, whereas the advanced elective courses are taught in one of both places. Finally this two-year programme leads to a joint degree from VUB and UGent.

Research
B-PHOT, the Brussels Photonics Team
Photonics is the science and technology of light. As a driver/catalyst technology, only photonics extends the unique properties of the photon. Photonics innovation is increasingly needed to solve important technological, societal, economical and ecological problems. This is what the Brussels Photonics Team, B-PHOT, does. Their core business is photonics research: fundamental, applied and industrial photonics for a brighter, lighter and healthier world.

Student services
Students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are not just mere numbers. A lot of attention goes to making sure that you can study in the best possible situation. There are numerous staff members ready to assist you and give advice on all topics related to student life: practical information, medical assistance and finance, study planning, sports and culture, health, transport, housing and food, etc.

Job Opportunities
Your future as a Photonics Engineer looks very bright. Today photonics is a discipline of key importance in industrial sectors such as the tele- and data communication area, the display and printing industry, the biotechnology industry, the energy sector, the medical instrumentation sector... with opportunities in:

* research in high-technology companies
* research in academic laboratories and research institutes
* development of new photonic products in industry
* technical support in a company for its products
* technical marketing and sales in to photonics related industries

Belgian students holding one of the following degrees can enroll in the programme: * bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen afstudeerrichting elektronika en informatietechnologie * bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek * bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste natuurkunde * master in de biochemie * master in de biochemie en de biotechnologie * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: biosysteemtechniek * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: land- en waterbeheer * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: bos en natuurbeheer * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: cel- en genbiotechnologie * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: chemie en bioprocestechnologie * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: katalytische technologie * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: land- en bosbeheer * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: landbouwkunde * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: levensmiddelentechnologie * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: levensmiddelentechnologie en voeding * master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: milieutechnologie * master in de chemie * master in de fysica * master in de fysica en de sterrenkunde * master in de industriële wetenschappen: chemie * master in de industriële wetenschappen: elektromechanica * master in de industriële wetenschappen: elektronica-ICT * master in de industriële wetenschappen: kunststofverwerking * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: bedrijfskudige systeemtechnieken en operationeel onderzoek * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: biomedische ingenieurstechnieken * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: biomedische technologie * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: bouwkunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: chemie en materialen * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: chemische technologie * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: computerwetenschappen * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektronica en informatietechnologie * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek (ICT) * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: energie * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: fotonica * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: geotechniek en mijnbouwkunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: materiaalkunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste computerwetenschappen * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste natuurkunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: verkeerskunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: werktuigkunde * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: werktuigkunde - elektrotechniek * master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: wiskundige ingenieurstechnieken * master in de nanowetenschappen en de nanotechnologie * master of engineering: materials engineering * master of nanoscience and nanotechnology * master of nuclear engineering * master of nanophysicsFor foreign students, the applicant needs to be in possession of a bachelor degree in Electrical engineering, in (Applied) Physics, Materials Science or an equivalent of this to be directly admitted to the program. Students in their last year of such a programme will however also be considered.Students in possession of another bachelor degree might need to follow a preparatory program. The educational board will make the final decision whether to accept the application or not.ww.vub.ac.be/irmo English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

Scholarships granted by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel awards yearly a number of scholarships for advanced studies at Master or Advanced Master level. These programmes are characterized by the integration of education and research and a Master's thesis. They cover at least one year of study and depending on the field of study some programmes may take 2 years.

Yearly one or more specific programmes will be considered for Scholarships of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The Bureau for Development Cooperation selects these programmes every year following an internal "Call for Interest" to all programme directors of a Master or Master after Master programme. This selection is submitted for endorsement to the Research Council.

Scholarships for International Course Programmes (ICP)
The Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) offers yearly scholarships to students from developing countries to follow International Courses. These courses are master courses, lasting two academic years, all of which lead to a masters degree. The ICPs focus on specific problems of developing countries. International Courses are:

* Master in Human Ecology
* Master of Science in Molecular Biology
* Master of Science in Ecological Marine Management
* Master of Science in Physical Land Resources
* Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering

Outstanding graduates can subsequently apply for a 4 year grant from the Flemish Interuniversity Council to obtain a PhD-degree.

Scholarships for International Training Programmes (ITP)
International Training Programmes are short-term training programmes whose main focus is transferring skills rather than knowledge. The programme is designed for people from developing countries with a certain degree of professional experience. A possibility for cooperation and networking is created during these 3 months of training.

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers a training programme in Scientific and Technological Information Management in Universities and Libraries

Scholarships of the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC)
BTC is the Belgian development cooperation agency that supports developing countries in their fight against poverty. Each year BTC grants some 1.000 scholarships in Belgium across diverse fields of training, including Master programmes to students from its priority countries.

Erasmus Mundus Master scholarships
The Erasmus Mundus programme is a co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education which promotes the European Union as a centre of excellence in learning around the world. It supports European top-quality Masters Courses and provides EU-funded scholarships for third country (non-EU) nationals participating in these Masters Courses.

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel participates in the following Erasmus Mundus Master programmes: (click on a link for detailed information).

* Master of Science in Photonics
* M.A. Degree in Economics of International Trade and European Integration

Student Jobs
During the academic year, international students are entitled to work maximum 20 hours per week. They can work on a full time basis only during the summer holidays period (July-September).

The money earned from student jobs should be considered as a supplementary source of income, not as main financial means for living in Belgium.

The Job Service can help international students to find a student job. Nevertheless, students should be aware that they might face the following difficulties during their job search:

* non-European students are required to have a category C work permit.
* employers in Brussels very often need bilingual French/Dutch workers or explained at the Job Service or at the International Relations and Mobility Office.

Job Service Campus Etterbeek - Entrance 6
Open from Monday till Friday 13.30 - 17.00 or on appointment
Tel. +32 (0) 2 629 23 16
E-mail: job@vub.ac.be

Important remarks
Students who apply for a scholarship will receive a conditional letter of acceptance. This admission letter is valid only if the scholarship is awarded. Students coming for a short period are advised to bring either cash money or an international credit card. Most banks refuse customers who are here for less than 6 months. Even when you have the necessary means, problems can still arise, such as:

* foreign cheques that cannot be cashed in Belgium
* delayed or blocked bank transfers from abroad
* loss of money due to devaluation
* sponsors not paying allowances
* insufficient scholarships money
* loss of scholarship.

Remember to save the money for your return flight ticket at the end of your studies.