Particle and Astrophysics

Although Particle Physics and Astrophysics act on a completely different scale, they both use the laws of physics to study the universe. In this Master’s specialisation you’ll dive into these extreme worlds and unravel questions like: What are the most elementary particles that the universe consists of? What did our universe look like in the earliest stages of its existence? And how will it evolve?

Key courses: Cosmology; Electrodynamics; Student Seminar Particle and Astrophysics; Professional Preparation; Philosophy and Foundations of Modern Physics.

A completed Bachelor's degree

Entering the Master’s specialisation in Physics and Astrophysics requires a Bachelor’s degree in:

• Physics and Astronomy
• Physics
• Applied Physics
• ...or equivalent, provided that you comply to the admission criteria below

Your degree has to be equivalent to a Dutch university diploma. The Examination Board will determine if an international student has the required knowledge to be admitted. The Examination Board will also indicate if the student is required to follow specific courses from the Bachelor's programme to eliminate possible deficiencies.

Students must have passed preliminary examinations containing the following subject matter:

• Experimental skills: at least 9 EC of practical courses on physics, and physics instrumentation
• Mechanics: at least 9 EC, e.g. covering the level from Serway (Physics for Scientists and
• Engineers) to Taylor (Classical Mechanics)
• Quantum Physics: at least 6 EC, e.g. covering the level of Griffiths (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics)
• Electricity and Magnetism, Electromagnetism: at least 9 EC, e.g. covering the level from Serway (Physics for Scientists and Engineers) to Griffiths (Introduction to Electrodynamics)
• Thermodynamics/ Statistical Dynamics: at least 6 EC, e.g. covering the level from Serway (Physics for Scientists and Engineers) to Adkins, Equilibrium Thermodynamics, and Bowley and Sanchez, Statistical Mechanics
• Mathematics: at least 12 EC, topics including Calculus, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Fourier Theory, Statistics, and Differential Equations at university level

Basic understanding in topics such as

• Molecular Physics: at least 3 EC
• Condensed Matter Physics: at least 3 EC
• Nuclear and High Energy Physics: at least 3 EC

For students interested in following the Master's specialisation in Particle and Astrophysics with a focus on astronomy, a basic knowledge of some of the topics listed below may be advisable. Depending on the specific interests of the students, these may include:

• Stellar structure, evolution, and nucleosynthesis
• The interstellar medium
• Galaxies
• Radiative processes
• Observational astronomy (optical/radio/space-based)

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of >575 (paper based) or >90 (internet based)
• An IELTS score of >6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.