APPLICATION
& ADMISSION
Once you have decided the Master of Science in Photonics Engineering is the ultimate programme for you, it is certainly important to follow the next steps for application. Click on the button to apply directly.
Application process
1. Check your eligibility
Each application file will be reviewed based on degree requirements, language proof and academic excellence.
Language requirements
We accept the following proof of English language proficiency:
- A secondary school diploma from the Belgian educational system;
- A certificate from the institution where you completed secondary or higher education, stating that English was the language of instruction;
- A certificate of one of the following language tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2:
- TOEFL (internet-based test) with minimum level: 79
- IELTS academic module, with minimum level: 6.5
- Cambridge English minimum grade scale score of 170
- ITACE with minimum level B2
- We also accept the TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. These are variants of the classic TOEFL and IELTS tests that can be taken at home.
- This proof can be provided by presenting results of a language test or documents issued by your home institution. Please note your language test results must not be older than 5 years at the moment of application.
Degree requirements
All applicants need to be in possession of a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or in (Applied) Physics or any related field such as Materials Science to be directly admitted to the programme.
Students in their last year of such a programme will however also be considered.
Students with a Master degree in these fields can apply as well.
Applicants holding a Belgian bachelor or master degree in another field of Engineering or in Sciences are welcome to join the programme through a personalised preparatory programme (in Dutch) at VUB.
2. Start your online MSPE application
Applications are open as from 1 November 2024, application file can be submitted via the MSPE online application form. Only complete application files will be considered for reviewing.
Application deadlines
Candidates who require a VISA
31 March 2025
Candidates who don’t require a VISA
1 June 2025 at UGent
1 July 2025 at VUB
Students with a Belgian Bachelor
15 October 2025
We already ask the applicants to prepare the following documents at an early stage:
- Legalized copies of diplomas and translation in English by a sworn translator.
- Legalized copies of diploma supplements, stating the courses and the scores obtained per course and a translation in English. (These are also known as the transcript of records.)
- APS-certificate (for Chinese students only)
Students in final year of BSc./MSc. or students who are not yet in the possession of the diploma must submit a certificate of enrollment + certificate which specifies the graduation date.
3. Submit the following documents
- Copy of ID (or passport)
- Copy of English language proof
- CV
- Copy of BSc. (and/or MSc) degree (if available)
- Copy of BSc. (and/or MSc) transcripts (or transcripts of courses completed so far)
- Copy of Letters of recommendation
- Supporting documents (for example: paper, list of publications, awards)
Preferably submit these documents in .pdf format, for non-EEA candidates who wish to enroll.
Please note hard copy authenticated documents will only be requested at the final admission.
The Selection Committee will assess all online applications.
Deadline to submit
– at UGent before 1 April
– at VUB after the interview and confirmation of admission.
4. Interview scheduling
If your application file gets a positive review, you will be invited for an online interview.
Content of the interview: motivation, technical pre-knowledge, and further assessment of language skills.
5. Final enrollment
Students with a positive final outcome can enroll either at Vrije Universiteit Brussel or Ghent University in the on-campus residential track or the semi-digital track.
Students will need to complete a specific enrollment procedure for each university and each programme track. The Programme Officers at VUB or UGent will guide you through the detailed steps of your final enrollment.
Ready to kickstart your future?
Start by following these steps and fill out the application form. Good luck! We hope to hear from you soon!
APPLICATION FORM FAQ
Answers to all your questions concerning the application form!
Yes, put (ongoing) next to these courses.
Indicate the ‘limited knowledge’ bullet and leave the semiconductor physics courses blank.
Indicate the appropriate button to assess your knowledge of the subject and fill in in which courses you have seen some optics (indicate the specific or related topics/chapters).
You can add the courses in both fields.
Yes, previous experience is not a mandatory aspect of your application.
Fill in the mark you’ve obtained so far.
Fill in 92 for obtained mark. All results with .5 or higher is rounded upwards.
Fill in NA (not available).
No, the grants are awarded on a competitive basis among all accepted students. Best ranked students will be awarded the grants.
Send a screen-shot of the error-message to secretariat@masterphotonics.be and we will try to solve the problem.
After 30 days, the link will no longer be active. Send an email to secretariat@masterphotonics.be and we will provide you with a new link. Your previous data will not be lost.
Please send an email to secretariat@masterphotonics.be and we will provide you with a link to make the necessary changes in your previously submitted form. Your previous data will not be lost.
More questions?
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Future skills for future engineers
Strong focus on hands-on training in photonics skills
Link with the industry
Master thesis project in highly equipped research labs
Creativity is key
Integrating 21st century soft skills
Core & advanced photonics courses
Specialized courses in electronics, physics, optics and engineering