Description

Contents

The goal of the Master's programme is to train students to function as physicists in a company environment, a research institute or a teaching profession.

At the end of the programme, the graduate will possess:

• a thorough knowledge of physics in general and a more specialised knowledge of a limited area of physics;
• a sound judgment of the current state of the art in physics research;
• the ability to acquire new independent physical insights, results, and methods;
• the ability to solve physical problems by choosing the most appropriate experimental and/or theoretical method and to report correctly on the results;
• the ability to structure and analyse specific problems in different situations;
• the ability to work in group;
• the ability to present insights and results;
• the ability to critically follow the social role of physics.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy aims to explore physical realities by means of mathematical, computational, experimental, and observational techniques. Fifteen teams undertake internationally competitive research. Publishing research results in leading journals and attracting top-level scientists are key priorities.

The department is not only dedicated to the study of new physics and the development of innovative techniques, it also maintains close links with industry (e.g., consulting, patents) and society (science communication). Additionally, the department is responsible for teaching basic physics courses in several study programmes.

Requirements

Direct access:

- Bachelor (of Science) in Physics
- Bachelor of Science in de fysica
- Bachelor of Science in de wiskunde, minor fysica
Non-native English students are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS certificate.
TOEFL (Computer-based test 213 pt., Internet-based test 79 - 80 pt., Paper-based test 550 pt.) or IELTS (6.5 - 7 pt.)

PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
* Applicants with a KU Leuven degree: Applicants that already successfully completed an English-taught programme at K.U.Leuven, do not have to take an English proficiency test.
* Applicants with a university degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire university study was completed in English. Absolutely no other diplomas will be accepted as evidence even if the applicant has followed an exclusively English-taught programme.
* Other applicants should submit a satisfactory score on an internationally recognized test of English language proficiency:TOEFL (minimum score 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 90 internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score 7). No other proficiency tests will be accepted, and absolutely no application will be considered without such a test certificate.

CREDENTIALS REGARDING PRIOR EDUCATION

For applicants from outside Belgium, comparability of the diploma is not always easily established.
Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas are required for all applicants. These documents also suffice for applicants from
* universities that have an exchange agreement with the Faculty of Science of KU Leuven
* universities that are in the global top 200 in the most recent Times Higher Education or QS rankings
Additional documentation is required for applicants from other universities as it is impossible for us to reliably assess the comparability. In those cases the admission board will take a positive decision only if supporting information is provided:
* a complete list of course titles for which you have obtained a credit should be part of this. Indicate the course size (in ECTS-credits) and the result you obtained, preferably according to the ECTS-scale; if a different scale is used, please provide an summary explanation on the meaning of the scores.
* for the courses that you deem most relevant as a preparation for the master that you are considering, provide a short (about one half to one page) description according to the standard guidelines for an ECTS-study guide.

The Admissions Board evaluates all applications and has the final say on the admissibility of the student, taking into account the relevant information.

English Language Requirements

Funding

Scholarship and funding opportunities

EU

INCOMING

• Central bilateral agreements - Grants for Phd students and staff
• FWO Research Funding
• DBOF - PhD Scholarships
• F+ - Fellowships for incoming postdocs
• AXA Research Fund

NON - EU

INCOMING

• Coimbra group Scholarships programme for young researchers and professors from Latin America
• Coimbra Group Hospitality Scheme (Ukraine and Balkans)
• Coimbra Group scholarships Programme for Young Researchers from European Neighbouring Countries
• Coimbra Group scholarships Programme for Young African researchers
• Erasmus Mundus Partnerships
• FWO Research Funding
• Doctoral Scholarships in the framework of the Interfaculty Council for Development Cooperation
• Travelling allowances for teaching staff and professors in the framework of the Interfaculty Council for Development Cooperation
• Specialisation grants for researchers from developing countries
• VLIR-UOS Scholarships for short training programme ITP (developing countries)
• VLIR-UOS Scholarships for Master Programmes ICP (developing countries
• VLIR-UOS Scholarships for ICP PhD students
• Science without Borders Brasil (2012-2014)
• Belgian bilateral cooperation grants for study and training for nationals of partner countries (Algeria - Benin - Bolivia - Burundi - DR Congo - Ecuador - Mali - Morocco -Mozambique - Niger - Palestinian Territory - Peru - Rwanda - Senegal -South Africa - Tanzania - Uganda - Vietnam)
• DBOF - PhD Scholarships
• F+ - Fellowships for incoming postdocs
• Latin America Fund
• EU-ALFA III (Latin-America)
• EU-ACP (Africa, Carribean and Pacific)
• EU-ASEM
• EU-SARC (South Asia)
• EU-SARC (South-East Asia)
• EU - Central Asia
• EU - ENPI (Neighbourhood and Russia)EU - Central Asia