MSc in Photonics Engineering
Duration: 2 years
Number of credits: 120 ECTS
Language: English
Next cycle starts: September 2026
Degree: Master of Science in Photonics Engineering - joint degree
Awarding body: Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Universiteit Gent
Funding: Scholarships available for BE/EU/NON-EU applicants 🚀
A Technology That Shapes The Future ðŸ”
A booming global industry
- Worldwide growth: 6–7% annually
- European market: €100+ billion and rising
- Rapid expansion across telecom, health tech, space, automotive, and renewable energy
This demand makes photonics one of the fastest-growing high-tech sectors worldwide. Companies are investing heavily in optical technologies — and they need talent.
A serious shortage of skilled engineers
The demand for photonics experts far exceeds the supply. Employers across telecom, healthcare, manufacturing, space, and AI-driven technologies actively recruit graduates who understand both the physics and the engineering behind light-based systems. Your expertise will be in demand from day one.
Strong internship and industry connections
Through a structured internship programme and partnerships with leading companies and research labs, you gain hands-on experience and build a network that directly boosts your career prospects.
A multidisciplinary master’s
Physics × Engineering × Photonics: our programme blends deep scientific understanding with hands-on engineering skills. This multidisciplinary approach gives you a competitive edge and keeps your career path open. You'll study topics such as:
- Photonic integrated circuits / Lasers & optics
- Quantum and nano-photonics / Sensors and imaging
- Materials & fabrication / High-tech system design
100% employability in a future-proof field
Our graduates consistently achieve a 100% job placement rate, often receiving offers before finishing their thesis. Careers span R&D, industry, consultancy, start-ups, and PhD research — in Belgium, across Europe, and worldwide.
A degree that shapes the future
Photonics is essential to the technologies that will define the coming decades: quantum communication, precision healthcare, green energy, next-gen computing, and intelligent sensing. If you want a career where innovation is the norm, this is where to start.
Let's discover the course details!
Master
Master of Science in Photonics Engineering
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