Submit your application
The application portal is open: 16 January – 1 March
In the 2-year Physics programme at the Niels Bohr Institute, you can immerse yourself in the many different areas of physics. We offer six specialisations: Astrophysics, Biophysics, Computational Physics, Earth and Climate Physics, Physics of Complex Systems, or Quantum Physics.
Companies are looking for Physics candidates e.g., within research, development, data science, consultancy, or IT. The programme is offered in English.
To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed, or expect to complete, a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.
Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal.
Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.
With a Bachelor's degree in
you are granted legal right of admission and guaranteed a place on the Master’s programme in Physics if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor’s degree.
You meet all academic requirements if you hold one of the degrees listed below. Learn about when and how to apply. Note, however, that you still need to document that you meet the programme's language requirements.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so we can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree, Professional Bachelor's degree or equivalent from Danish or international universities you are qualified for admission if your programme includes the following:
The combined total of basic and advanced requirements must be minimum 120 ECTS credits.
We may also admit applicants who, after an individual academic assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required above.
When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.
If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.
You can only get an answer to whether or not your degree meets the admission requirement by applying for admission to the MSc Programme. Only the admission committee can evaluate whether you are qualified or not and they only do this once they have received your application.
You are entitled to 1 pre-assessment for 1 study programme, where, based on an assessment of the documentation you have submitted, we will inform you whether you meet the admission requirements.
This is a service offered by SCIENCE, but it is not a service you have to make use of in order for you to apply for admission.
Unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for, you are required to document proficiency in English.
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 August. You will receive a reply by 10 December.
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 1 July. You will receive a reply by 1 December.
Choose the category below that fits you and read more about how to apply for admission. You will also find information about application deadlines and documentation on the websites.
Bachelor's degree with legal right of admission
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria:
If you have already completed a Master's degree, please check out the rules concerning a second degree.
Admission statistics Physics 2024 | |
---|---|
Admitted | 101 |
Admission distribution (legal right/other) | 45% / 55 |
Applicants | 248 |
Age average | 24 |
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) | 67% / 33% |
Nationality (dk/international) | 28% / 52% |
Available spots | No |
The MSc Programme in Physics gives you the freedom to choose one of the programme's six specialisations. You can read about each specialisation further down the page.
You can also study Physics with a minor subject (only for applicants with a Danish Bachelor’s degree in Physics).
The first year of the programme consists of graduate coursework within the field of your chosen specialisation. You can build the programme according to your interests, as most of the courses are restricted electives or electives. The courses contain lectures, written examinations, and the submission of reports along with the conducting of experiments.
In the second year, you write your Master’s Thesis (45 or 60 ECTS).
The academic year is divided into four nine-week blocks. The MSc programme includes many small, highly specialised courses. The result is that you will often experience lectures, calculation exercises, and lab or computer-based exercises among small groups of fellow students. This provides a great opportunity to become well acquainted with instructors.
Student involvement is an important part of instruction, and a tradition of lively discussion and cooperation is well established within the department. For instance, many physics courses incorporate colloquiums and seminars.
You can use some of your elective courses to do a Project in Practice in collaboration with a company or an organisation. You can also choose to study abroad as part of your programme. Read more here:
The thesis project engages you with in-depth work targeted towards answering a problem in the field of physics, approached from a high level of research.
Your thesis begins when you develop a thesis contract in cooperation with your thesis supervisor. The contents of this contract and thesis framework include an overall description of the thesis topic and a completion date. Thesis topics could be:
When you enroll in the Physics programme, you must choose the particular field of study you wish to focus on. You can read about the programme's six specialisations below. You can also read about studying Physics with a minor subject (only for applicants with a Danish Bachelor’s degree in Physics):
In the Astrophysics specialisation, you get access to observations from the world’s most powerful ground- and space-based telescopes. You learn about large-scale simulations and instrumentation. You also get a deep knowledge of theoretical astrophysical theories that describes galaxies and the structures in which they are embedded, exoplanets, and star and planet formation.
You will be well qualified to work in private and public companies or organisations, both nationally and internationally, that require a high degree of expert knowledge in astronomy/astrophysics. You may also progress to a PhD programme.
It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in astrophysics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.
If you're already enrolled at the Physics programme, you can find the recommended study tracks on Study Information at KUnet:
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Theoretical Astrophysics | Observational Astrophysics | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission.
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Theoretical Astrophysics | Observational Astrophysics |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
In the Biophysics specialisation, you learn how physics has formed our modern lives when it comes to medical treatments and understanding of how diseases spread. You learn about fundamental research to explore the secrets of life processes. You work with cutting-edge technologies to explore physical processes within cells, DNA folding, cell mechanics, tissue engineering, and structures in soft matter.
Graduates have an understanding of the physical characteristics of life's molecular building blocks. You have also learned to develop testable mathematical-physical models of how the individual parts interact to form working feedback systems.
Furthermore, you have built up a solid academic grounding in the border zone between physics and molecular biology. You have insight into both biophysical and molecular biological experimental techniques e.g., single-molecule techniques and super-resolution microscopy.
It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in biophysics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.
If you're already enrolled at the Physics programme, you can find the recommended study tracks on Study Information at KUnet:
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules | Dynamical Models in Molecular Biology | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission.
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules | Dynamical Models in Molecular Biology |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
In the Computational Physics specialisation, you apply simulations and advanced data analysis to address the ever-increasing demand for optimized and systematic use of data and for predictive capacities.
You learn computational tools to search for optimal solutions, perform advanced simulations, and use articifical intelligence. You can apply these methods in climate science, astrophysics, industrial applications, forecasting, and in information technology.
You will use your physical understanding to develop advanced statistical methods and algorithms, and to work with simulation and data analysis on a high scientific level. You learn a number of methods enabling you to find the physics behind the data.
The specialisation allows you to solve a wide range of problems numerically. You learn to choose the optimal solution method and evaluate the fidelity of the result.
Computation physics spans courses within e.g., machine learning and data management, parallel computing, and distributed systems. You can also follow courses with a computational focus within a physics topic such as astrophysics, biophysics, or geophysics.
It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track in computational physics – or you can customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.
If you're already enrolled at the Physics programme, you can find the recommended study tracks on Study Information at KUnet:
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Scientific Computing | Inverse Problems | Elective course | Elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission.
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Scientific Computing | Inverse Problems |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
In the Earth and Climate Physics specialisation, you study the fundamental physical processes that formed the Earth, and you learn about ice and climate research that pioneer our understanding of the Earth’s climate system.
You learn about complex climate system models, how Earth observations data are analyzed to study climate change, the structure of Earth and planets, and how to apply the knowledge in support of the green transition of our society.
Earth and Climate Physics students choose courses and thesis topics in areas including:
Geophysicists often gain international experience during their MSc programme or thesis, either directly by studying abroad, or by participating in the department's international networks. Geophysics research is very international, and the department is part of several international projects, including deep-drilling projects in Greenland and Antarctica, Earth-orbit satellites, and space missions to Mars.
In order to promote interdisciplinary working methods and approaches, the specialisation is flexible. It forms the basis for a variety of jobs in research, teaching, and communications.
It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can choose between two recommended study tracks:
However, you can also customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects relevant to you.
If you're already enrolled at the Physics programme, you can find the recommended study tracks on Study Information at KUnet:
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Earth and Climate Physics | Inverse Problems | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Earth and Climate Physics | Inverse Problems |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
In the physics of complex systems specialisation, you learn the most advanced concepts and numerical methods needed to understand phenomena arising from the interaction of many components. This requires approaching the system as a whole. Examples from the emerging field of complex physics range from quantum phase transition, development of new materials, self-organized behaviour in biological or physical systems, and financial market modelling.
The first course on the specialisation is "Complex Physics", where you learn to describe and analyze non-linear complex systems and physical phenomena using simple quantitative computer-based models.
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS, and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Complex Physics | Restricted elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>
Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Complex Physics | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
In Quantum Physics, you study the fascinating world of physics ranging from the small scales of elementary particles to the vast dimensions of the universe.
The high-ranking quantum physics programme at The Niels Bohr Institute provides you with knowledge and skills to describe space-time and elementary particles as well as macroscopic and microscopic phenomena in quantum and soft matte. It also prepares you to apply your knowledge in modern quantum technology.
The specialisation begins with a course in advanced quantum mechanics. It gives you a solid foundation for a deeper insight into a specific branch of physics of your choice.
It is a good idea to use your elective and restricted elective courses to design a study track that allows you to study a subject area in depth during the specialisation. You can follow a recommended study track within these fields:
However, you can also customise your programme with a mixture of courses and projects which are relevant to you.
If you're already enrolled at the Physics programme, you can find the recommended study tracks on Study Information at KUnet:
The specialisation can be structured in different ways, depending on whether you write a thesis worth 45 or 60 ECTS and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a thesis worth 60 ECTS.
Example 1: Study Start September, Thesis 60 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Advanced Quantum Mechanics | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Example 2: Study Start February, Thesis 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>
Compulsory courses: 7.5 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 37.5 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis:60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Advanced Quantum Mechanics | Restricted elective course |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
Please note: The MSc in Physics with a minor subject is only for applicants with a Danish Bachelor’s degree in Physics including the required courses from the minor subject. The minor subject consists of courses taught in Danish, where the first part is compulsory in the Bachelor’s degree, and the remaining is part of the MSc.
You can study physics with a minor subject if you want to acquire the competences to teach or disseminate both subjects. This enables you to teach in Danish upper secondary schools.
Furthermore, you will be qualified to work within other kinds of teaching and communication, or you can find jobs in a wide range of areas – for instance, in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, or financial industry, in high-tech or software companies, or with research and development in sustainable technical solutions. You will also have the prerequisites for further studies e.g., a PhD programme.
The programme can be structured in different ways depending on whether your minor subject is within or outside the field of science, and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find course tables showing the study structure if the minor subject is within the field of science with study start in September or February.
Example 1: Study Start in September, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject |
Minor subject | Minor subject | Fysiske undervisningsforsøg | Restricted elective course |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Restricted elective course | Videregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag | Thesis | |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Example 2: Study Start February, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science
Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission.
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject |
Minor subject | Minor subject | Restricted elective course | Videregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag |
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Fysiske undervisningsforsøg | Restricted elective course | ||
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Choose your restricted elective courses from the lists below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
Learn more about the programme in the: Curriculum for MSc in Physics
Curriculum for MSc Physics with a Minor SubjectShared section of the curriculum
Meet students and professors at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen. Here you will find a cutting edge international research and study environment.
Kimi and Filippo talk about their study programme in Physics.
The Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen is part of an exciting and international research environment where scientific breakthroughs are shaped. Your path through the physics programme can include theoretical instruction, experiments in the laboratory, project work, and field work.
As a graduate student in physics you can specialise in one of numerous sub-fields e.g., particle physics, climate physics, astrophysics, atomic physics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, complex systems, and quantum information technology. You will be able to break down problems and find solutions to the benefit of society as well as individuals. You can also participate in modern research and the communication of results.
Physicists have skills that are quite useful, and therefore most find employment very quickly. They work in many different places e.g., the private or public sector research, finance, programming in the IT industry, or in private enterprises developing new materials, equipment, or methods of analysing. Furthermore, it is possible for all physicists to qualify for teaching at high school level.
Astrophysicists find employment as teachers, researchers, or disseminators at universities, or at observatories all over the world. Their excellent data analysis and modelling skills also make them well suited for work as data scientists in many other fields.
There are job opportunities for bio- and medical physicists at hospitals, or in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech companies, or research.
Geophysicists may work in the private or public sector, e.g. with environment-related problems, energy production, or engineering.
Quantum physicists have a wide range of skills, in either experimental work, theory and analysis, or computer modelling. All these skills and competences are useful for work in e.g., hi-tech companies, data analysis, or cutting-edge research.
The private sector also employs physicists in a more business-oriented context. For example, some physicists work in finance with prediction of market fluctuations. Other physicists are employed as programmers or developers in the IT sector as they often have strong programming backgrounds.
Many different companies work with complex data analysis through modelling or machine learning, and for this type of work, a background in physics is very useful.
Many physicists choose to begin their career as a PhD student. Read more about the PhD programme at the Niels Bohr Institute:
Here are some examples of job titles for physics graduates from University of Copenhagen within the last years:
High quality education in English, a flexible study structure, excellent facilities, an international study environment, attractive and green campus areas, and the opportunity to experience life in Copenhagen, the cool capital of Denmark. These are some of the qualities about studying at Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at University of Copenhagen that you can expect.
Throughout the year, various social activities are arranged for all SCIENCE students and for international students specifically. These activities include:
Students live in residence halls outside campus or share a flat in the Copenhagen area. You will find that the relatively small size of Copenhagen makes it easy to get around, even by bike.
The Physics programme is based at The Niels Bohr Institute, which is part of the university's North Campus.
The majority of lectures are at the H.C. Ørsted Institute. This is also where you will find “The Absolute Space” or |RUM|, a student room where students can read, have a cup of coffee or tea or simply kick back and relax. It is also where the Physics Study Council holds its weekly meetings. The south end of the H.C. Ørsted Institute’s lobby is used as a reading room for physics students.
Besides historic Blegdamsvej’s classrooms, it houses the NBI library. The library, a branch of the Royal Library, is continuously updated with the most recent literature and information from each of the respective research areas. Opening hours, study space and contact information can be found at: https://www.nbi.ku.dk/english/library/.
The Niels Bohr Institute is characterised by a professional atmosphere with a diverse international research staff whose doors are (nearly) always open for student questions, suggestions or guidance.
Campus life breeds close interaction among students, educators and researchers. Social activities range from a football team to the weekly Friday Bar. The department’s spirit is influenced by many student-run activities, including the Physics Revue, the Study Council, the "Science Playroom", and various student associations. You can read about these below:
The Physics Students’ Council is a student politics organisation composed of all University of Copenhagen enrolled physics students.
The council’s primary task is to represent the interests of physics students in various councils and boards In doing so, the council is able to influence your place of study and student life.
Councils and board members are democratically nominated and elected during the Students’ Council’s biannual general assemblies. Council meeting participation allows your views to become known and thereafter communicated onwards by council representatives.
The Physics Students’ Council also engages in student life. For example, the council organises an annual Christmas lunch for students and staff, and arranges lectures where physics graduates return to discuss their careers.
One of the department’s annual highlights is the very popular, festive, and tradition rich PhysicsRevue™. Through song, dance and sketches, the Revue interprets life at the Niels Bohr Institute through heavy satire and deep love.
The annual staging is performed for two days, for all department students and staff, and concludes with a party for revue participants and the public. Performances are characterised by a distinct ambiance in which the audience chimes in with shouts, jeers, applause, songs, and boisterous toasts.
There are many ways for students to contribute to the revue: as actors, writers, stage managers, band members, technicians, party organisers, and much more.
Legestuen (The Playroom) is the physics students’ playroom for doing fun physics experiments and demonstrations. They make physics shows for e.g. Open House events, Culture Night, schools etc.
Legestuen has its own rooms at the institute, equipped with various instruments that may be freely used by all members.
Here you will find some useful links and videos about student life and housing in Copenhagen, and the welcome programme for international students at Faculty of Science.
Meet Elizabeth and Alex who study at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. See what it is like to live and study in Denmark.
The SCIENCE Welcome Programme is a great way for international students to be introduced to the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen.
Read interviews with students and graduates at the MSc programme in Physics:
“I work as a trial programmer. This means that I process the data we collect when we conduct clinical trials of new medications to meet regulatory requirements. I also have a project manager role, coordinating the collaboration between doctors, data managers – who check for errors in data, and medical writers – who write the final report when we are done.
Right now I’m working with data from a clinical trial of Semaglutid, a drug that can lower blood glucose levels in type-2 diabetics. We tested Semaglutid against a placebo, i.e. one group of patients received the drug and another the placebo, and then we measured which patients had the lowest blood sugar level. When analysing the data, I don’t know which patients received the drug and which the placebo. This is to avoid me being biased and thereby influencing the result."
"Towards the end of my bachelor’s programme, I realised that complex systems were what I was passionate about in physics. I had thought that I would do a PhD after my master’s degree, but I dropped that idea while writing my master’s thesis. I felt it was a very independent and sometimes lonely way of working that I did not want to continue doing. So I knew for certain that I wanted to get a job in the sector.
My supervisor drew my attention to a vacant position at Novo Nordisk, and I immediately applied for the position. I also applied for a job as an IT consultant with Net Company, and was fortunate enough to get a job offer from both of them – on the same day, a Friday, so it was a really good weekend!
I chose the job at Novo Nordisk because it gives me some connection to the scientific world. I also like the fact that my work involves a lot of data analysis."
"In general, I’m motivated by being part of a team and delivering high-quality work. It’s great that there are people who follow up on my work, ask questions about it and appreciate it. It’s a good feeling to have responsibility and contribute to something bigger.
I like the fact that I can wear headphones for part of my day while immersed in writing code. If I get bogged down in the code, I can go out and answer emails and do some coordinating. It’s great when I get a tough assignment, where I get to think and challenge myself and perhaps even learn to use new tools."
"On my degree programme, I learned to familiarise myself with complex material and build expertise very quickly. Physics has also taught me how to think systematically and optimise work processes. This has helped me when working on projects with many other people.
I also learned how to programme. I probably wouldn’t have been offered this job if I hadn’t had programming experience. When I started at Novo Nordisk, I didn’t know the programming language being used here, but I learned it quickly, because of my programming skills."
"I’m not a fan of doing the same job twice. I prefer to remain in a state of learning. Novo Nordisk offers good opportunities for development. We’re actually encouraged to change jobs, because it can be good for the company that employees with expertise in one area transfer to other contexts.
For me, the next natural step would be to work as a statistician. Statisticians describe how the clinical trials should be conducted, which analyses to perform and how to handle missing data in a trial. Statisticians and programmers work together – my department is a mix of statisticians and programmers."
"Getting involved in student life on the Physics programme (which is amazing!) has since turned out to be one of the best things I’ve done for my career. Through my involvement in student life I built up a huge network. For example, I was contacted by professors who drew my attention to PhD positions, and it was due to my network that I landed my job with Novo Nordisk and now work with my old supervisor.
I also think one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to work with something outside your field. Try things out. Many physicists are highly skilled in their field, so if you only compete on those parameters, it can be very difficult to land one of the really good jobs. If you have other things to offer, you are in a stronger position.
During my master’s programme I did an internship in Panama, where I worked with sales for a company that installed navigational equipment on ships. I’ve also been captain of a football team, and have privately tutored students in physics. I have subsequently appreciated this, because I developed skills in communicating with people who may not always understand complicated physics material. And I’ve been a waitress. This taught me to maintain a professional composure in various situations. You should never underestimate the fact that all jobs add something to your skill set.”
Since this interview Cilie has got a PhD in Statistics and Computer Science at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She is now working as a Senior Data Scientist at McKinsey & Company.
Alison Man, from Hong Kong, was studying Astrophysics at the time of this interview.
I spent a year in Denmark as an exchange student and I wanted to stay. So I applied for a Danish grant and got it, which enabled me to do my master in astrophysics here. And this September I am going to start my PhD in Denmark.
I really appreciate studying at the University and getting to know Denmark and the Danes, who are an open minded, hospitable nation once they have opened up to strangers. There are three reasons why I wanted to see the world and leave Hong Kong to study at the University of Copenhagen: Good teachers, an international atmosphere, and the opportunity to stand on my own two feet. Back in Hong Kong family and friends are very important, but in many ways it limits your openness towards the world. And you spend most of your spare time doing homework.
In Denmark I have attained a balance between my studies and having a life as well. As for my courses, well, Denmark is famous for Niels Bohr and the knowledge of space. It is a very relaxed course where the students can communicate and discuss things with the teachers. A really good atmosphere with good supervisors and far from the hierarchy separating teachers and students. And I do a lot of group work with students from Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Poland, for example.
We also meet up in the bar at the institute and chill out on Fridays after the week's classes. My stay in Denmark has made me aware of other cultures and given me the opportunity to try lots of stuff that I would never have done back home in Hong Kong. Like, I've joined an NGO! "Energy Crossroad Denmark" works on climate and environmental issues. Via this organisation I took part in COP15 in December. It was a great personal experience which taught me a lot.
I really like Copenhagen as a city and the Danes as a people. One thing I have noticed that puzzles me is the Danish men. I have never before seen men pushing prams around and taking care of the kids. And what's more, private employers, the state and organisations actually pay them so they can go on paternity leave, as it's called here. It's a fantastic system!
If I have to say anything bad about Denmark it is that the shops aren't open round the clock like they are in Hong Kong. But then there are so many good things about Denmark. For example, I am going to summer school in Sweden, with all expenses paid! At summer school I'll have the opportunity to meet other people with the same interests and subject as mine: understanding how galaxies arose and evolved.
Alison went on to do a PhD in Astrophysics at University of Copenhagen. She is now Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia in Canada.
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