UvA online Open House

This year, you won’t be able to attend any busy on-campus events with lots of people. But our online Open House is the perfect way to get to know UvA study programmes and university life from the comfort of your own home.
Every study programme has an Open House page with videos, FAQs and live events. On the main Open House website you can discover all our programmes, explore the city and campus, and get inspired during our theme weeks.

Is Theoretical Physics in Amsterdam the study for me?

If you are fascinated by physics and the laws of science, Theoretical Physics might be the track for you. You will need to have a profound knowledge of the special theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, electrodynamics, calculus and linear algebra (a basic knowledge of condensed matter and particle physics is an advantage). Furthermore, you:

• want to understand at a fundamental level why matter is what it is, and how this affects the world around us;
• enjoy exploring and developing mathematical models;
• have a high ability for abstraction;
• are willing to dig deep to find solutions to physics problems.

What does Theoretical Physics in Amsterdam have to offer me?

Courses in the track Theoretical Physics in Amsterdam are conducted by researchers from the UvA Institute for Theoretical Physics, one of Europe's leading theoretical physics institutes. They specialise in quantum matter and complex systems; particle physics, cosmology and quantum gravity; and history of physics. The track offers you a broad spectrum of advanced courses on these and other current research topics. Its backbone is formed by training in quantum field theory, statistical physics and condensed matter theory. In addition, you can take elective physics and mathematics courses on topics such as:

• Computational methods
• Quantum optics
• Group theory
• General relativity
• Nonlinear dynamics and chaos

In further seminars and informal meetings you get a taste of the original creative and imaginative spirit of the field, and learn the craft of explaining things to other (lay) people.

Extra scholarships available

For Physics and Astronomy only, we have in addition to our regular Amsterdam Science Talent Scholarships, extra scholarships available for excellent (non-Dutch) EU/EER students. The Amsterdam Physics and Astronomy Scholarship.

Relevant information

Check these pages with relevant information about the programme.

Joint degree programme with VU University Amsterdam

Theoretical Physics is a track in the Master's programme Physics and Astronomy, a joint degree programme of the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Courses are taught at locations of both universities. UvA and VU jointly issue a degree certificate in Physics and Astronomy to graduates. As a Physics and Astronomy student in Amsterdam you benefit from expertise, networks and research projects at both universities and affiliated research institutes.