Light can carry information, reveal structures and become a tool for making precise measurements. UPC’s Master’s in Photonics explores the science behind those possibilities and the technologies built from them. Teaching is in English, with UPC coordinating a programme involving UB, UAB and ICFO.
Elementos esenciales del curso
- Institución
- Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC)
- País
- España
- Asunto
- Engineering
- Nivel de estudio
- Grado de maestría
- La enseñanza del idioma
- Inglés
- Formato del estudio
- En el campus
- Campus
- UB in Barcelona, UAB in Bellaterra and UPC Campus Nord; practical activities may also involve ICFO, Barcelona area, Spain
- Duración
- 1 academic year, full-time
- Créditos
- 60 ECTS
- Cuotas de matrícula
- 2026/27 first-enrolment tuition: €19.37/credit in UPC's EU category; €45/credit for non-EU students not resident in the EU. UPC's indicative 60-credit budgets including additional charges are €1,600 and €3,200 respectively.
- Ingreso
- September. Pre-enrolment was shown as closed on 16 October 2026; contact the programme for the next round.
Information reviewed: 2026-10-16
From optics to applications
The curriculum combines foundations in optics and lasers with laboratory work and specialist options. Topics listed include imaging, integrated photonics and quantum optics. A master’s thesis provides a longer investigation in a field you want to explore.
When choosing a technical master’s, consider the questions that make you want to experiment. You might enjoy understanding an image, investigating how light interacts with a material or finding a way to improve a device. Look at both the taught modules and the research topics available for projects.
Several campuses
UPC describes teaching at UB and UAB from September to December, followed by Campus Nord from December to April. Practical activities and thesis work may take place at any participating institution.
This matters for your daily routine. Compare journeys to both Barcelona and Bellaterra before settling on a housing location. Our Guía de Barcelona can help with that planning.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally come from scientific or technological degrees, including physics and engineering. Other related backgrounds may be considered with bridging study. Review the admissions section of the official course page alongside your previous modules to see where your strengths fit.
Budget and next intake
The figures above use UPC’s 2026/27 fee schedule. Add accommodation, transport between teaching sites and everyday expenses separately.
The published intake starts in September. Pre-enrolment was closed on our review date, so ask the programme about the next round. No future application deadline is assumed in this profile.