FAQ

Three Dutch Universities, PhotonDelta and Optics Netherlands joined hands and developed a new MasterPlus Programme in Optics & Photonics as a specialization within one of the Masters. Discover specialized courses, unique internships within industry-leading companies, challenged-bases projects, guidance on valorization and spin-offs and a dynamic array of scientific and social engagements within the vibrant optics & photonics ecosystem. Join us in crafting your exceptional academic journey!

The MasterPlus Programme is developed in collaboration with three Dutch universities Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente, and industry clusters Optics Netherlands and PhotonDelta.

The Netherlands’ historical legacy in optics, dating back to the 13th century, seamlessly transitions into contemporary leadership in integrated photonics, with pioneers like Meint Smit and Ton Backx contributing to significant advancements. This leadership has catalysed extensive research and development at three prominent universities: University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Delft University of Technology.

The master Programme and its courses for the academic year 2024-2025 at begins on September 2, 2024.

Prior to that, there is a Master Introduction Week from August 14 to August 18, and a Faculty Introduction Day in the week from August 26 to August 31. These activities provide incoming students with essential information about studying at the university, fostering connections with peers, and offering a glimpse into the student life in the respective cities.

Keep in mind that the dates for application for international students are April 1^st for Delft University of Technology and May 1^st for Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente.

You’ll be awarded a Master diploma aligned with your enrollment in the Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering Master, along with a certificate recognizing your participation in the MasterPlus Programme Optics & Photonics.

All Bachelor’s and Master’s degree Programmes at Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente are accredited by NVAO, The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (the northern state of Belgium). The NVAO assesses the internal quality assurance of universities and colleges and the quality of their Programmes.

The Master Programmes that offer the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics all lead to the degree and corresponding title Master of Science (MSc).

To apply for the MasterPlus in Optics & Photonics Programme, follow these steps:

1. Choose a Master and University: Select a Master’s Programme offering MasterPlus Optics & Photonics, such as Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering at Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, or University of Twente.
2. General Admission Requirements: Ensure you meet academic knowledge, skills, and English proficiency criteria, along with specific subject-related requirements for your chosen Master Programme.
3. Apply for the regular Master programme: Submit your Master’s programme application by April 1st for Delft, May 1st for Eindhoven and Twente. The application and admission procedure is managed by each university itself.
4. Document Submission: Submit required documents in mid-June to prove you meet admission conditions and have graduated.
5. Register for MPOP: After you’ve been accepted to one of the Master’s programs at the university of your choice, you can register for the MasterPlus Programme:
   For Delft University of Technology: send an email to the coordinator A.J.W.Haket@tudelft.nl.
   For Eindhoven University of Technology: send an email to masterplusop@tue.nl.
   For University of Twente: send an email to master-plus-optics@utwente.nl.
6. Housing hunt: Start your housing search in as soon as possible for your September studies!
7. Start your MasterPlus experience: In addition to the standard academic curriculum, the MasterPlus Programme kicks off its scientific and social activities right from the start of the academic year. Join us at the MasterPlus introduction meeting!

For international students:
Apply for the Master Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering at one of the participating universities before:
April 1st for Delft University of Technology.
May 1st for Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente

For Dutch students:
The application deadlines differ per Master program and university of your choice. Please check the application deadlines at the website of the university of your choice.

After you’ve been accepted to one of the Master’s programs at the university of your choice, you can register for the MasterPlus programme until the beginning of the academic year.

To be eligible for the MasterPlus Programme, you need a bachelor’s degree from a research university in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or an equivalent field. The admission committee evaluates your prior education to ensure it aligns with a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university. Additionally, English proficiency is required.

It’s essential to note that the Dutch higher education system distinguishes between research-oriented and higher professional education. If your Bachelor’s degree is from a research university, you are directly eligible. However, if your degree is from a university of applied sciences or a non-similar field, you may need to undergo a pre-master or bridging Programme of 30 ECTS.

Perhaps you need to take a pre-master’s first to prepare you for the master Programme of your choice. A pre-master is a transfer programme for Dutch higher professional education (‘HBO’ in Dutch) students or bachelor’s or master’s students of Dutch universities, intended to bridge the gap between your current bachelor’s and your future master’s. Once you have successfully completed the pre-master’s, you will be granted admission to the master’s.

Every master’s Programme has its own pre-master or bridging programme, which standard consists of 30 ECTS worth of courses and will take you 6 months to 1 year.

Depending on your current Bachelor or Master Programme, it may be necessary to follow a pre-master programme before starting a Master. You can read the admission requirements on the website of the university of your choice.

If you possess a Bachelor’s degree in STEM from a research university, you might be eligible for the MasterPlus Programme after completing a pre-master or bridging programme. However, the criteria can differ between universities, so it’s essential to reach out to your preferred university for personalized guidance. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Proficiency in English is required. Applicants can demonstrate proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge C1/C2. Exemptions apply to native English speakers or those who completed their university education in English.

Nationality Exemption:

• Native English speakers and nationals of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, or USA are exempt from the English language test requirement.

Education in Specific Countries & IB or EB Diploma:

• Students who have followed at least their entire Bachelor’s of Master’s degree or the last 3 years of their High School in the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA.
• Students with an International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma, with English as the sole language of instruction, are exempt.
• Non-native speakers with an English-taught Master’s degree are exempt, but they may be asked to undergo a test if their English proficiency is deemed insufficient during the selection process.

English as Secondary Education Exam Subject:

• Exemption is possible based on having English as an exam subject during secondary education.
  • Students with a Dutch VWO diploma are exempt.
  • Holders of an Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs (ASO) diploma from a Flemish Ministry-approved secondary school are exempt.
  • As programme-specific eligibility applies, the application will be reviewed for exemption consideration.

Please note that there might be small differences between English language requirements, so make sure to check the exact requirements at the website of the university of your choice.

If your university lacks an online verification service for your diploma and diploma supplements, you’ll need to submit certified copies of your diploma and academic transcript from your prior educational institution.

Certified copies are duplicates authenticated with an official stamp, confirming their authenticity. This stamp can be obtained from the educational institution that issued the diploma, an embassy, a solicitor or notary, or a local town or city council.

Unfortunately, there is no late application call available.

Certainly! It’s feasible to participate in the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics program during your initial year of the Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering master’s program, provided you can still fulfil the requisite number of optics & photonics electives.

Although not obligatory, it is advisable to convey your interest in optics and photonics in your statement of purpose. Proceed with the regular master’s program application process, and then apply separately for MasterPlus via email.

• Statutory Tuition Fees for Master’s:

If you are a national of the Netherlands or an EU/EEA country, you will likely pay the ‘statutory tuition fee.’ This fee is set and subsidized by the Dutch government, applying to most EU/EEA students and master’s Programmes. 2025-2026: €2,601 per year

• Institutional Tuition Fees for Master’s (Bèta):

Non-EU/EEA nationals are required to pay the ‘institutional fee,’ which is higher due to the absence of government funding for these students. 2025-2026: € 22.290,- per year for Delft University of Technology, €21.000,- per year for Eindhoven University of Technology, €18.900 per year for University of Twente.

All EEA or non-EEA students with a non-Dutch higher educational degree must pay a €100 application fee for each master’s Programme application.

To qualify for the statutory fee, you must meet two requirements:

• Enrolment requirement: Master’s students without a prior master’s degree or doctoral diploma from a Dutch higher education institute.
• Nationality requirement: You qualify if you are from an EEA country, from Suriname or Switzerland, recognized as a refugee by the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF), a non-EEA student with Dutch student grant rights or a holder of a long-term resident EC status with a Dutch residence permit.

Yes, there are additional study costs. These primarily pertain to housing arrangements and living expenses, and the specific information varies for each university.

Costs of living in the Netherlands
Living expenses in the Netherlands for students are estimated to be between €11,000 and €13,000 annually, excluding tuition fees. This comprehensive budget encompasses various elements, including housing (€6,500), food, books and supplies, transportation, optional insurance (€650) covering liability and more, an entry visa/residence permit (€210) for Non-EU/EEA students, a bicycle, a bank account, and other miscellaneous expenses like clothing. It is essential for students to comprehend and plan for these costs to ensure a well-prepared and seamless academic experience.

Read more: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/practical-matters
Read more: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student
Read more: https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/costs-of-studying/

Potential applicants of the MasterPlus Programme are eligible for relocation contributions designed to support your move to the Netherlands. Selected candidates will receive a relocation contribution up to €2.000,- euro. All three universities have 15 relocation contributions to distribute.

Since the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics is offered by both Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, and University of Twente, we advise you to check all other scholarships available at both universities. There are several scholarships you might be eligible to.

Delft University of Technology scholarships:
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/practical-matters/scholarships

Eindhoven University of Technology scholarships:
https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student/scholarships-and-grants/

University of Twente scholarships:
https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/

Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, and University of Twente all offer specialized courses, internships in the industry, challenge-based projects and various social activities as part of the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics. The main difference of the programme lies in the differences between de Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering Majors and in the range of optics and photonics courses that you can choose from.

Please view the programme visual to discover the main differences of the programme at the three universities.

There’s no distinction between applying through electrical engineering or applied physics. Opt for the path that suits your interests. Each avenue offers a unique perspective on the specialization. Your choice, such as Applied Physics, may influence your approach to optics and integrated photonics knowledge, affecting your course selection and eventual degree, while still earning a MasterPlus Optics & Photonics certificate.

If you enroll at one of the participating universities, you can take courses at the two other participating universities under certain conditions. If you’re a student in Delft, Eindhoven, Delft, or Wageningen pursuing a 4TU master’s program, you can take courses that fall under the relevant master’s program. To do this, you need to register as a guest student (also called bijvakstudent, subsidiary student or minor student) at the other university where you’d like to take the courses.

Typically, MasterPlus Optics & Photonics mandates an industry internship closely aligned with the Dutch optics industry. Internships abroad in optics, photonics, or integrated photonics may be considered if they meet the program criteria. Though, our experience suggests that industrial internships abroad present additional challenges.

No! As you’re enrolled in the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics, the program coordinator at the university of your choice will help you to find a suitable internship. The universities have strong connections with the industry, as well as PhotonDelta and Optics Netherlands, ensuring a good range of internship opportunities in optics, photonics or integrated photonics.

Industrial internships are integrated into the regular program and typically occur in the second year. However, there may be flexibility regarding internship timing (e.g. starting at the end of the first year).

The industrial internship does NOT take place during the summer holiday.

No, similar to standard Master’s studies in the Netherlands, there’s flexibility in completing the MasterPlus Optics & Photonics program. Allowances can be made for additional activities. Visit the website of the university of your choice for more information.

Unfortunately not. The MasterPlus Optics & Photonics program launches in September. While current students in the Master of Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering, who are already engaged in optics and photonics courses, may have the option to join later, it’s advisable for new students to commence in September. This ensures alignment with the program’s structure and facilitates participation in a comprehensive range of social and scientific activities.

In the first year, we won’t introduce new courses, but there may be possibilities for future years based on specific expertise needs. For the full overview of optics & photonics courses, please refer to the course overview of the Master’s program on the website of the university of your choice. Mixing and matching courses at universities is possible. For more information on mixing and matching courses at universities, please refer to the relevant question and answer provided.

Students planning to study in the Netherlands should arrange accommodation before arrival due to legal requirements for a valid Dutch address, essential for obtaining a BSN and opening a bank account. Securing housing across the country can be challenging due to shortages. It’s advisable not to travel without pre-arranged housing. Many universities offer assistance in finding accommodation, but it’s crucial to prioritize early arrangements as housing cannot be guaranteed for everyone.

Read more about housing at the websites of the university:

Delft
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/practical-matters/housing

TU/e
https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student/housing

University of Twente
https://www.utwente.nl/en/campus/facilities/housing/students/

When planning your move to the Netherlands for studies, there are key aspects regarding immigration, opening a bank account, and getting insurance that you should be aware of:

Visa and Residence Permit:

• Most non-EU students staying in the Netherlands for over 90 days require an entry visa (MVV) and/or residence permit (VVR).
• The university will handle the application process on your behalf, taking about 4 weeks for a residence permit and an additional 2 weeks if a visa is needed.
• Check if you need these permits based on your nationality via the Nuffic website.
• Some non-EU/EEA students may need to undergo a tuberculosis test as part of residence permit formalities.

Working While Studying:

• Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) do not require a work permit and have no restrictions on working hours, following Dutch law.

Opening a Dutch Bank Account:

• Advisable for managing transactions, including accommodation, insurance, and bills through internet banking.
• Needed for refunding guarantee fees and living expenses for students from outside Europe.
• Facilitates easy deposits and withdrawals, including transactions with your home country.

Registering at City Hall:

• All international students staying in Eindhoven for over four months must register at city hall.

Insurance:

• Health and liability insurance are mandatory in the Netherlands.
• Arrange insurance before leaving your home country or immediately upon arrival in the Netherlands to ensure compliance.

Being informed and taking necessary steps in these areas will contribute to a smoother and well-prepared experience during your studies in the Netherlands.

Whether you aspire to join established corporations, innovative startups, or renowned research institutions, the Netherlands provides a dynamic environment to shape your journey in the ever-evolving realm of optics and integrated photonics.

Not only industry leaders such as ASML, Signify and Demcon, but also renowned research institutes TNO and Imec are committed to stimulate, and further grow the optics and photonics capabilities in the Netherlands. Novel technologies are brought to the market by university’s spin-offs like SMART Photonics, PHIX, LioniX International and EFFECT Photonics. The national ecosystems PhotonDelta and Optics Netherlands coordinate these efforts, fostering a fertile ground for corporate giants, startups and research endeavors. A true hub of innovation in Optics and Photonics.

Absolutely. The MasterPlus Optics & Photonics program will commence regardless of the number of applicants. It’s integrated into the regular Master’s tracks at the universities, ensuring its initiation even with a smaller cohort. This extends to scientific and social activities, which are coordinated in collaboration with existing initiatives.