Master of Science in Engineering Light

Master of Science in Engineering Light is one of 16 English-taught Engineering programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 4 institutions. 7 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 3,515 to EUR 17,300. 6 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

Light is a tool. This programme teaches you to use it. Engineering Light at DTU is a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS) taught in English in Lyngby. The programme was previously called Photonics Engineering, and it covers technical applications of light across the whole spectrum, from ultraviolet through visible to near, mid and far infrared.

What you study

You start with the physics that lets you describe light and optical phenomena, then move into optical materials and structures used for optical signal processing. The programme is tied closely to current research in optical materials and structures, lasers and light sources, biophotonics and optical sensors, and components for optical communication. A separate course element focuses on innovation.

Applications run through the whole degree: lasers, energy-saving light sources, integrated lightwave circuits and optical fibres. Light also matters in biology and medicine, for food control, medical therapy, measuring the efficiency of wind farms, and measuring combustion efficiency or carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

How the programme is organised

Teaching alternates between lectures, classes and independent study. You get plenty of chances to carry out theoretical and experimental projects, sometimes with an external industrial partner. You can work with Danish and international companies as part of courses, as an individual project, or while writing your thesis.

There are three optional specialisations: Materials and components, Instrumentations and applications, and Quantum Photonics. Each is a fixed programme of study with extra requirements on your course choices, and your master's thesis must fall within the specialisation's focus area. Finish one and the specialist title appears on your diploma. Following a specialisation is not compulsory.

You can also join DTU's Industry Master of Science, which combines work and study in any DTU master's programme.

Who it suits

This suits someone who likes physics and wants to see it turned into hardware and measurement systems. You should be comfortable with optics, materials and experimental work, and curious about applications in medicine, energy and communication. The programme asks you to connect basic physical principles to concrete problems, so an interest in both theory and building things helps.

Admission, language and next steps

Everything is taught in English. Check the prerequisites page for the academic requirements and selection criteria. If your bachelor's degree is from outside Denmark, the International Admissions Office guides you through the application; applications for master's programmes go directly to DTU. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge. Other students pay a fee set by the institution.

Study Guidance can answer questions about course planning, credit transfer and exemptions. DTU also offers honours programmes if you want a more demanding track.

Master’s applications go straight to Technical University of Denmark, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.