After graduation
What about after-student life? The Master of Science in Photonics Engineering has all the right ingredients to prepare you for a bright future. We are proud to say that all our graduates find relevant jobs within a few months after graduation, some in their own countries and some internationally. 100% employability is what we go for. As a consultant, engineer or researcher, you might find yourself in the driver's seat working in life sciences, biotechnology, telecommunications, sustainable energy, agrifood or Industry 4.0. Next to an inspiring job in the industry, you can also pursue an academic career and become a professor yourself.
Have a look at the SPIE Career Centre, where you can find an overview of available jobs, employer types, domains and functions.
What have you learnt?
As a photonics graduate, you will be ready for a successful professional career. Next to studying the theory of optics and photonics, you will get an in-depth training in highly equipped research labs. In addition, the programme focusses on soft skills such as presentation, communication, reporting, and group work. Finally, you will also be trained in business and entrepreneurship through courses and on-the-floor job experience via international internships at some of the most high-tech companies and research institutions. This combined approach will make you stand out in the highly competitive engineering world and shape you into the engineer of the future that many companies are looking for.
Further study
After obtaining the master's degree in Photonics Engineering, you can continue your studies by pursuing a PhD at VUB or abroad.
What professions will it allow you to enter?
Are you ready for the work field? This master's programme will prepare you to become a leading scientist, engineer, business developer, researcher, consultant, educator and much more. Our unique interdisciplinary approach has proven to boost graduate employability. Both our industry and our academic partners highly value the vast set of skills that photonics graduates show when starting new jobs.
Check out some of our alumni stories to find out more about your future job.
- Dr. Volodymyr Koman | Postdoctoral researcher Strano Research Group, MIT
"There has been light from the beginning, but we hardly measure its importance in our daily lives. There are many more exciting discoveries to make and applications to invent. As students at VUB, we were exposed to interdisciplinary curricula on how light aids in and interacts with various other disciplines. There were numerous collaborations with industries, which helped us understand how photonic inventions make their way to market. This helped me tremendously as I developed photonic sensors for biosystems during my PhD at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - EPFL (Switzerland) and as a postdoc at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US). I can't stress enough how innovative and visionary this programme is."
- Pierre Wahl | CEO/Founder Luceda Photonics
"I am proud to have finished both my master's in photonics and PhD at B-PHOT. The support, interest and help that I received from the staff were instrumental to my future career. The area where B-PHOT undoubtedly stands out is its strong integration with the European photonics industry. The group actively seeks to valorise its research through partnerships with existing industrial players or by promoting start-ups. I received tremendous support in the creation of Luceda Photonics, which has now grown to be one of the main photonics design software providers in the world. B-PHOT's strong international network allows researchers to work at various research institutes around the world, including imec, Jûlich, and Stanford University. Whenever I wanted to push my research forward, I received all the support I needed. Many of my colleagues from that time have remained friends to this day."
- Lieven Desmet | Avionics systems design responsible, Airbus
"B-PHOT has provided me with plenty of hands-on experience in practical laboratories with unique access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and professional simulation software. I can honestly say that his unique combination of skills has been paramount to my career success."
Are you aware that VUB sometimes looks for photonics engineers?
That's right! You can build an exciting and meaningful career as a photonics engineer or specialist in photonics here at your alma mater. As a large organisation we look for very diverse profiles.
Join our community of former students
On graduation from VUB you become part of a unique network of 75,000 former students (known as alumni) who are ready to build a better future. We exchange as many experiences, ideas and other forms of knowledge as possible to stand stronger together in our jobs, our lives and the world outside.
So, besides strengthening your position in the labour market, a VUB diploma gives you a network you can build on to realise your professional ambitions and make a difference in the world. Do you need more reasons? We list more below for you.
... it's worth it!
- Benefits on and off campus - A BasicFit annual subscription at half the price, student rates in the Resto... : being a former student pays off with a digital alumni pass.
- Help with job applications - It is sometimes hard for young alumni to find their way into the labour market. We help you get off to a flying start.
- Networking - Join your faculty or study-programme alumni association and keep up to date with the latest networking events and developments in your field.
- Career inspiration - Are you looking for a job that matches your passions? Read the career stories and tips of former students and discover the possibilities per diploma.
- Our continuing education - Society and the labour market are constantly on the move. Our continuing education courses keep your knowledge and skills relevant. For a lifetime.