Physics (MSc)

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Physics at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

Diploma requirements

If you have a bachelor's degree in Physics (Natuurkunde) or a Physics-related programme from any research university in the Netherlands, you are eligible to apply.

Holders of a BSc in physics from another university with a programme equivalent to those of Dutch universities, or holders of a BSc in other discipline with sufficient knowledge in the ares of quantum physics, electrodynamics, statistical physics and complex analysis, have to apply for admission. The Board of Admissions assesses whether the applicant may be granted admission to the programme.

Further on, please note that:
For the specialization Research in Physics, Cosmology, you must also have knowledge of “Physics of elementary particles” at undergraduate level.

For all specialisations knowledge of classical mechanics, quantum physics, statistical physics, complex analysis and electrodynamics at undergraduate level is required.

The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the Dutch BSc degree in Physics (and, if applicable, whether you meet the additional requirement for certain specialisations).

If you have a bachelor’s degree that does not meet the requirements specified above, you may be eligible for an individual Pre-Master’s Programme tailored to your individual background. If you have successfully met the requirements of the imposed Pre-Master’s Programme, you will be admitted to the master’s programme.

For more information, please contact the Physics study advisor.

If you have a degree in Dutch higher vocational education (hbo) in Technische Natuurkunde, admission can be considered upon completion of a pre-master's programme.

For all specialisations knowledge of classical mechanics, quantum physics, statistical physics, complex analysis and electrodynamics at undergraduate level is required.

If you have a bachelor's degree in Physics (Natuurkunde) or a Physics-related programme from a foreign research university with a level similar to Dutch universities, you are eligible to apply.

Further on, please note that:
For the specialization Research in Physics, Cosmology, you must also have knowledge of “Physics of elementary particles” at undergraduate level.

For all specialisations knowledge of classical mechanics, quantum physics, statistical physics, complex analysis and electrodynamics at undergraduate level is required.

Candidates without an adequate degree in Physics who have in other ways covered the appropriate material* in a demonstrable way (i.e., having taken exams) will be evaluated on an individual basis.

* An appropriate study program should cover most of the following:

Math:

Multivariate calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations, complex analysis, Fourier transforms, special functions
Real and Complex vector spaces, linear transformations, orthonormal bases, basis transformations, quadratic and Hermitian forms, spectral methods

Classical Mechanics:

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms.

Special Theory of Relativity

Electromagnetism:
Electrical and magnetic fields, Maxwell’s equations; wave theory of light, propagation of EM waves in media.

Statistical Physics:
Thermal equilibrium and equipartition theorem; entropy and microcanonical ensemble, free energy, canonical ensemble, partition functions, Maxwell relations; ideal gases, elasticity, Hooke’s law; magnetization and magnetic susceptibility; Ising model; mean-field solution; macrocanonical ensemble, Grand free energy.

Quantum Mechanics:
Schrödinger equation, 1D stationary states, Hilbert space, 3D spherically symmetric systems, H atom, angular momentum, spin; including probability functions, operators, Dirac notation, eigenvalue problem; many particle systems; H-like atoms, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics; blackbody radiation; fine structure, Zeeman and Stark effects; time dependent perturbation theory; quantum theory of radiation (Einstein coefficients).

The specialisation ‘Cosmology’ also requires knowledge of ‘Physics of Elementary Particles’ at undergraduate level.

Language requirements

The following requirements apply*:

IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
- We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
- We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
- We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
  You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
- We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™ or institutional tests such as ITP.

Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

The education component of this master's programme is taught in Dutch. All applicants that have not achieved a Secondary Education qualification in the Netherlands, have to demonstrate their Dutch communication skills. The level of Dutch is assessed through an advanced Dutch language exam. For more information about the exam: Admission Exam TUL Advanced.

A Dutch as a Second Language Certificate (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) at Educatief Startbekwaam or Educatief Professioneel level is also sufficient to meet the language requirement.

Mind: after completion of the Education specialisation you obtain a first degree teaching qualification to be a teacher in the Netherlands.

Additional information

We expect students to bring a regular laptop running Windows (or running Linux for certain study programmes). MacOS may in most cases also suffice (with Parallels for Windows installed), but not all specialized applications may be supported, and less support may be available.
•   Windows 11 compatible – 64-bits (or Linux for some study programmes)
•   Processor/CPU – modern, medium range
•   Memory/RAM – 8 GB, if possible 16 GB
•   Storage – 512 GB, if possible 1 TB

>> Go to the next step: Check the application deadlines