Is Physics and Astronomy for you?
Want to know if the master in Physics and Astronomy programme is a good fit for you? See the information and activities below to find out.
What is the programme about?
Whether you're interested in particles, metamaterials, star systems, black holes, cosmology,... physics reconciles the knowledge of the infinitely small and the infinitely large and lots in between. Choose physics and astronomy research at VUB and you'll cover a wide spectrum of opportunity. Plus, you'll do so in the capital of Belgium and Europe among world-class research groups and in close partnership with many national and international experts and partners.
Who better to tell you what this programme is like than the students who've participated?
- Saskia Demulder | PhD student
”Doing a PhD enables me to combine creativity - exploring new and existing concepts - and engaging challenging problems. For my research, I am exploring models in string theory that have the attractive property of being very symmetrical. Just like a round and even sphere has more symmetry to it than any random, often uneven, stone you pick up. For a theoretical physicist, this symmetry opens doors to the ability of computing and thus knowing everything about the world the model describes. Moreover, as a first-year PhD student, I’ll first have the great opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills during a Solvay doctoral school that takes place in different cities in Europe. I cannot wait to get started!”
Why study at the VUB?
Studying at VUB gives you more than a diploma. You learn to view the world with an open mind and without prejudice. You hone your critical thinking, and you learn to express your opinion. You commit not just to study, but to participate in meaningful social projects that make the world a better place. In short, this is where you shape your identity: who you are today and want to be tomorrow.
Spread the study load
Create your own studypath
Within the VUB, we want to maximize our commitment to personal development and give as many students as possible the opportunity to continue their studies and develop themselves. Depending on your personal situation, it may be more difficult to devote full time to your studies. For example, you combine your studies with a job, you do top-level sports, ...
At VUB you study at your own pace. With a flexible study pathway you make room for your personal situation (elite sports, dyslexia, disability, etc.). More information?
Study and examination flexibility
Reflex status
Do you have a physical disability, learning disability or chronic illness, or are you starting a business or finding it harder to study because of your personal situation? If so, you qualify for Reflex Status.
With this you can ask for a flexible approach to your studies and exams, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Elite sports and studying
Elite sports and study
Keen to combine your elite sporting career with a programme at VUB? It makes sense, as it strengthens your position in the jobs market after your sporting career ends.
Our Elite Sports & Study department helps you work out a personal study pathway and guides you through to the end.
Studying with a disability
Studying with a functional impairment
Do you have a disability (for example, a learning disability, chronic medical condition, psychiatric or sensory disability)? If so, you qualify for a flexible approach to your studies and exams through Reflex Status, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Find out more about Reflex Status
For extra support there are other student services to draw on at VUB. For example, a wheelchair-adapted room, study guidance and a personal study-pathway, mental healthcare, medical care, etc.
Study Guidance
Study Guidance
An experienced team of student psychologists, student counsellors and study-pathway supervisors are there to give you personal study advice, guidance and training. At every phase in your study career.
- Individual - Advice on your choice of programme, stress and anxiety training, help with exam planning, help for students with dyslexia...
- Group (workshops, courses) - Choosing a subject for your bachelor's or master's thesis, learning to present, dealing with stress and anxiety...
- Tools - An example of good weekly planning, tips and tricks for a good study method, a step plan to help you choose the right programme...
Combining your studies with a job
The Master in Physics and Astronomy is a daytime only programme. Therefore, there is no option to combine this study with a fulltime job.
Studying abroad
The fields of physics and astronomy are inherently international: the creation and dissemination of knowledge has taken place in international cooperations for generations.
Therefore, the Department of Physics strongly encourages mobility, preferably with an exchange period in your study programme. The flexibility of the Master in Physics and Astronomy facilitates a one-semester stay in another country.