Faculty of Science

Master 2024-2025
Quantum Computer
Science

www.uva.nl/msc-quantum-cs Graduate School of Informatics

Since its inception in the 1980s, quantum computing
has seen great development. The hope of speeding up
computation makes this field the next potential tech-
nological revolution. The field needs a new genera-
tion of passionate scientists willing to work at the
frontier of physics, computer science and mathe-
matics. Will you be one of them? QuSoft and QAL

Courses are conducted by

Study programme project and or quantum internship, researchers of the Faculty
Quantum Computer Science is a you will be able to choose from a of Science and QuSoft, the
Dutch research center for
two-year programme consisting of range of projects and endeavours in
quantum software and
compulsory core courses, including a quantum industry or with renowned technology. Qusoft is lo-
thesis project, restricted-choice and scholars in the field of quantum cated at the Science Park
free-choice courses. In the first year, computer science. An example is the Campus and strives to de-
velop new protocols, algo-
you will take four compulsory core Quantum Application Lab (QAL), rithms and applications
courses (27 ECTS) and choose 30 situated at Amsterdam Science Park. that can be run on small to
ECTS from the restricted-choice full-scale prototypes of a
quantum computer.
courses offered. In the second year, Core courses
you will conduct individual research There are four compulsory core The members of the
for your thesis project of 30 ECTS and courses: Quantum Application Lab
select one of three options for an (QAL) know the complexity
and possibility of quantum
additional 18 ECTS: an extension of Quantum Computing: computing. Thanks to their
the thesis project, a quantum This course is 8 ECTS and is taught diverse skills they can
internship or relevant electives. from a mathematical and theoretical streamline the implemen-
tation of quantum comput-
computer science perspective, but it ing application into prac-
The curriculum of the Master’s is accessible for physicists as well. tical workflows, making
Quantum Computer Science leaves Considering it is a theory-oriented the intricacies of quantum
ample space for you to explore what course, no programming is involved. algorithms more acces-
sible to a broader range of
you find interesting in and around industries.
the fields of quantum computing and Quantum Information Theory:
quantum information theory. This course is 8 ECTS and offers a
As part of the second-year thesis mathematical introduction to
Quantum Information Theory. It will start You will thoroughly study a specific topic in
with the fundamentals (such as quantum quantum computer science and potentially
states, measurements, and entropy), fol- perform original research. To choose your
lowed by more advanced topics (entangle- subject, a thesis fair is organised with
ment theory and quantum communication) researchers from a wide variety of areas, but
and techniques (semidefinite programming you are also strongly encouraged to engage
and graphical notation). with the researchers you encounter in
courses or seminars.
Quantum in Society
This course is 3 ECTS and explores the
status of quantum technology and aims at a
better understanding of the societal impact With Quantum Computer
that these technological developments may Science you study the theoretical
have today and in the future. foundations of nature and the
vast possible applications of one
Introduction to Quantum Hardware
of the next technological leaps.
This course is 6 ECTS and focuses on how
the most promising quantum technologies
work and what applications they are best
suited to. We will discuss the most ground-
breaking experimental demonstrations of
ideas from theoretical quantum computa-
tion and information. You will obtain the
necessary tools to follow the most recent
developments in the field and to evaluate
their significance.

Master Thesis & Seminar

In the second year, you will execute an
individual thesis project for 6-12 months.
Quantum Internship You can demonstrate mathematical
You can opt for an internship (18 maturity by having one of the
ECTS) at a quantum company, following:
instead of extending your thesis
project. You will be put in contact • A Bachelor's degree in
with quantum companies and Mathematics.
start-ups at an internship fair. • Successfully completed a minor in
Mathematics (like the 30 ECTS
Careers UvA minor Mathematical
As a quantum expert, career Themes, or Logic and
prospects are quite unique. The Computation).
distinction between academia and • Successfully completed at least 24
industry involved in quantum com- ECTS of courses that teach formal
puter science is not very strict. Your mathematical proving, or having
strong theoretical foundation will done something equivalent.
allow you to work in key positions in
research centres at both universities Application
and companies. We expect half of To apply for this Master's program-
our graduates to pursue a PhD and me, please follow the online appli-
contribute to academic research and cation procedure at:
education in quantum (related) uva.nl/msc-quantum-cs.
topics, while the other half will move
on to a career outside academia.
Contact
Application and admission
For programme-specific
Admissions requirements questions mail to:
msc-qucs-science@uva.nl
You are expected to have a Bache-
lor’s degree in Physics, Mathematics For general questions
or Computer Science, or a closely about studying at the UvA
related field, and the following: Faculty of Science:
servicedesk-esc-
science@uva.nl
Mathematical maturity
In addition to a relevant Bachelor's Join the @uva_science
community on Instagram
degree, you must be able to demon-
strate what we call mathematical Location:
maturity. You: Science Park 904
1098 XH Amsterdam
• Have a good understanding of the Colofon
fundamentals of linear algebra.
• Can confidently understand © 2024
University of Amsterdam
proofs. Photography: Jorn van Eck
• Have experience writing proofs by
induction, epsilon-delta proofs, No rights can be derived
from the contents of this
and proof by contradiction. brochure.

You'll find more information on this programme at uva.nl/msc-quantum-cs