Photonics - Master's Programme
Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits
Description
Photonics technology is today virtually everywhere. Photonics is the backbone of the modern internet and the unprecedented access to information and knowledge that we have today. Simultaneously, lasers and related technologies have become indispensable in almost all fields of science, manufacturing and society. If for cutting, welding or drilling in industrial production, for imaging, diagnosis and treatment in medicine or for light harvesting and illumination in places that are off the electrical grid, life as we experience it daily would not be possible without photonics.
The Photonics programme at Lund University aims at educating talented students in the science and technology that lies behind the photonics revolution. You will obtain in-depth understanding of optics and laser technology as well as practical experience in optical design. You will experience working in modern optics and laser laboratories and gain detailed knowledge of important photonics applications and technologies (e.g. communication, femtosecond lasers or medical optics). The educational programme is coupled to world-leading research activities, recently awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics, at the Lund Laser Centre. You will obtain universal skills preparing you for excelling both in industrial or academic future careers.
Programme modules/courses
Mandatory courses and number of ECTS credits
- Optics and Optical Design (7.5)
- Lasers (7.5)
- Optoelectronics and Optical Communication (7.5)
- Advanced Optics and Lasers (7.5)
- Master’s degree project (30)
Electives Mandatory
- Medical Optics (7.5)
- Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (7.5)
Electives
A number of 7.5 credit/ECTS courses available in the areas of digital communication, nano-technology, ultrafast science, bio-photonics and applied spectroscopy.
Career prospects
The employment opportunities in photonics are excellent worldwide. Since many years, the photonics market features stable growth much beyond the global GDP growth. Applications of photonics include light sensing, telecommunication, information processing, illumination, metrology, spectroscopy, medicine, laser material processing, automotive robotics and defense. The photonics industry is truly global and international enterprises offer job opportunities all over the world. A number of photonics related companies (e.g. Axis Communications, NKT Photonics, Veoneer, Ericsson) are located in Lund or the greater Öresund region. PhotonicSweden represents the optics industry in Sweden and fosters the contact with academia. Two international research facilities create additional opportunities for photonics engineers in Lund itself – MAX IV, a modern synchrotron of the latest generation, and ESS, the European Spallation Source that is currently under construction
Programme sheets
Open for applications
Application opportunitiesThis programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.
There is a scholarship available for this Master's
Learn about the EDU-WACQT scholarship.
Lund Laser Centre
Learn more about our award-winning research at llc.lu.se.
Programme overview for this Master's
See the programme overview for Photonics on the Faculty of Engineering’s website.
Contact
Programme Director
Cord Arnold
Email: msc [dot] photonics [at] lth [dot] lu [dot] se
International Coordinator
Helene von Wachenfelt
Email: msc [dot] photonics [at] lth [dot] lu [dot] se
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
A Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. Completed courses of at least 40 credits/ECTS in physics and 30 credits/ECTS in mathematics, covering quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, basics in optics, multi-dimensional calculus, linear algebra and Fourier analysis. English 6..
Selection criteria
The selection is based on academic qualifications and on a statement of purpose.
English language requirements
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
Apply
Start Autumn Semester 2025
Day-time Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027
Application
Last application date 2025-01-15
How to apply
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website - Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
Programme-specific documents
In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit the document 'Summary sheet and statement of purpose' when you apply for this programme.
To do this you need to:
- Fill in our template.
- Save the template as a PDF.
- Upload the PDF to your account at universityadmissons.se.
Template for the summary sheet and statement of purpose – Photonics (PDF, 363 kB, new window)
No additional documents (such as a CV or letters of recommendation) are required when you apply for this programme.
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000
First payment: SEK 85 000
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
- Paying your application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Exemptions from paying the application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Convert currency – xe.com
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
Lund University Global Scholarship programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.
External scholarships
Scholarship for the Master's programme in Photonics
The Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology, with extra support from the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, is offering the EDU-WACQT scholarship in Quantum Technology. The scholarship is available for non-EU/EEA students who are applying for the Master’s Programme in Photonics and the Master's Programme in Nanoscience. Learn more about the scholarship:
Testimonials and more information about this Master's
Meet our student ambassador Pratik
Read his testimonial and chat with him via Unibuddy.
"The teachers of the programme are very nice and supportive"
Daniel from Spain
"Lund University offers endless possibilities for everyone"
Xiaolin from China
Read an interview with the programme director
About the Photonics Master's.