Quantum Technology masters: A shortcut to the quantum industry?

TL;DR

This paper examines the rise of quantum technology master's programs worldwide, highlighting their growth, interdisciplinary nature, industry-oriented training, and potential to accelerate the quantum industry's workforce development.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of global quantum master's programs, analyzing their structure, growth, and role in industry workforce development, which was previously underexplored.

Findings

86 programs identified globally since 2021

Programs are increasingly interdisciplinary and industry-oriented

Many countries are enhancing existing curricula with quantum content

Abstract

In this article, we investigate a growing trend in the worldwide Quantum Technology (QT) education landscape, that of the development of masters programs, intended to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to take a job in the quantum industry, while serving a much shorter timeline than a doctoral degree. Through a global survey, we identified 86 masters programs, with substantial growth since 2021. Over time masters have become increasingly interdisciplinary, organised by multiple faculties or through joint degree programs, and offer more hands-on experiences such as internships in companies. Information from program organisers and websites suggests that the intended career destinations of their graduates are a diverse range of industries, and therefore masters programs may be a boon to the industrialisation of quantum technologies. Finally, we identify a range of national efforts to grow the quantum workforce of many countries, quantum program enhancements, which augment the content of existing study programs with quantum content. This may further contribute to the growth and viability of masters programs as a route to the quantum industry.