Masters Degrees in Philosophy, Netherlands

Overview

Are you looking for a highly challenging two-year Research Master's programme in Philosophy? Come to Radboud University!

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate; they require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy

What makes this programme special?

- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- An offering of research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, History of Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion.
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

Specialisations of the Master's in Philosophy

The Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Radboud University offers the entire range of philosophical disciplines. However, students enrolling in the Research Master's programme are expected to choose one of the following specialisations:

- Metaphysics and Epistemology
In Metaphysics and Epistemology you focus on the development of the hermeneutic tradition – key figures being Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur and Derrida.

- Philosophical Anthropology
In Philosophical Anthropology you study the philosophical significance of psychoanalytical hermeneutics as developed by Freud and followers (Lacan, Klein, et. al.). Research focuses in particular on the phenomenological tradition (Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze and Butler).

- Philosophical Ethics
In Philosophical Ethics you investigate the moral implications of human actions from the point of view of virtue ethics (Aristotle, MacIntyre), phenomenology (Heidegger, Levinas) and hermeneutics (Gadamer, Ricoeur). This section also runs an international Nietzsche research project.

- Social and Political Philosophy
In Social and Political Philosophy you study ‘the political’ as an essential but conflict-ridden aspect of the human condition, and politics as a way of coping with this. Spinoza, Hobbes, Kant, Schmitt, Arendt, Zizek and Foucault are central figures in this specialisation.

- Philosophy of Language and Logic
Philosophy of Language and Logic involves the study of linguistic expressions such as words, sentences, texts and dialogues, where the emphasis is on the context in which these expressions are being interpreted.

- Philosophy of Mind
In Philosophy of Mind and Science you study problems such as mental causation, phenomenal consciousness and the nature of mental state attribution from the viewpoint of neurophenomenenology and the embodied embedded cognition paradigm.

- History of Philosophy
In History of Philosophy you explore the development of natural philosophy and metaphysics from the late Middle Ages to early modern and modern times, investigating, in particular the evolution of the sciences of psychology and physics from philosophy.

- Philosophy of Religion
In Philosophy of Religion you focus on the philosophical reflection on religion in Western thought and contemporary society, and also exploring the relation between philosophy and religion in Western and other cultural contexts.

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, nor to one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate; they require intensive training. The research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into one of three groups:
1. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating.
2. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools.
3. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education.

Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

The reputation of Radboud University – and of the Philosophy Faculty in particular – will serve you well whichever career path you choose.

NVAO: quality Research Master Philosophy above average

At the end of April the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders NVAO has renewed the accreditation of the Research Master Philosophy. The NVAO evaluates the Research Master Philosophy as 'good'. The verdict shows that the NVAO finds the Master's programme systematically above average quality.

Faculty scholarships for excellent international students

The Faculty offers scholarships for excellent students from abroad wishing to start the Research Master’s programme in Philosophy every year. Each scholarship amounts to €10,000 for the first year of the Research Master’s programme, and in case of good study results can be renewed for the second, final year.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy

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Master's specialisation in Philosophy of Religion (Research)

In the Research Master's specialisation in Philosophy of Religion you will focus on the philosophical reflection on religion in Western thought and contemporary society, as well as exploring the relation between philosophy and religion in Western and other cultural contexts.

Information for students of the Research Master

What is the relation between philosophy and religion in Western culture and in other cultural contexts? How does modern and contemporary philosophy reflect on religion? What is meant by a philosophical critique of religion? Which theories of religion have been developed? What is religious experience? The specialisation in Philosophy of Religion explores both classical questions concerning religion, such as the problem of evil, the conceptualization of faith and religious practices, and the issues of religious pluralism and (in)tolerance.

Furthermore, it focuses on contemporary philosophical reflections on religion in a (post)secular society and in a global age. In this specialisation you will study the relation between philosophy and religion in non-Western contexts – for example in the Eastern (Indian) tradition, in the African context or in an Islamic context. The specialisation thus offers a combination of a focus on a Western philosophical body of thought and a comparative global approach to philosophical reflections on religion. You will gain insight in past and present philosophical thought on a conflict-ridden phenomenon.

Key authors include Agamben, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Weber, Freud, De Certeau, Foucault, Gauchet, Said and Taylor.

http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/philosophy-of-religion-research/

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into three groups. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education. Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

Our approach to this field

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Our research in this field

What makes this programme special?
This is the only research master in philosophy in the Netherlands that offers a specialisation in philosophy of religion.
The English-taught Research Master's programme in Philosophy is a two-year course that is meant for students of proven ability who wish to prepare for an academic career in philosophy. We offer the following to provide you with the best possible academic background:
- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- Research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy and the History of Philosophy
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/philosophy-of-religion-research/

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Master's specialisation in Philosophy of Language and Logic (Research)

Philosophy of Language and Logic involves the study of linguistic expressions such as words, sentences, texts and dialogues, where the emphasis is on the context in which these expressions are interpreted.
The programme "Philosophy of Language and Logic" focuses on the development of analytical philosophy from Frege onwards and the rise of modern semantics in the last decades of the 20th century. Its main research interests are the context-dependent interpretation and its relation to formal semantics and pragmatics, and philosophy of mind. Typical themes that are addressed are context-dependence and presupposition, dynamic theories of meaning, discourse and discourse structure, the analysis of propositional attitudes and their relation to mental states, and the relation between interpretation and psychological processes.
Current research is connected with two NWO-funded projects that are being carried out within this section, namely "Information Integration in Discourse" and "Reasoning and the Brain" (in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and the F.C. Donders Centre). Furthermore, together with the department of linguistics, this section organises the interdisciplinary "Semantics Colloquium".
The members of the section work together with several philosophical and semantic centres in the Netherlands, Germany, France and the United States.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/logic

Admission requirements for international students

1. A completed Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or in a related discipline (in the latter case, students must have acquired at least 60 EC in Philosophical disciplines).
The applicant must have a degree with merit or distinction or equivalent. Meaning: a student’s weighted grade-point average in philosophy in the 2nd and 3rd year of their Bachelor's programme must be the equivalent of 7.5 or more (on the Dutch scale of 10).
On the page "Conversions of international grades" you will find an indication of what the equivalent of a Dutch 7.5 or 8 might be in the country where you obtained your Bachelor’s degree.

2. A proficiency in English
In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Master's degree must either have obtained a higher diploma from an English-teaching institution or be in possession of one of the following certificates:
- A TOEFL score of >577 (paper based) or >233 (computer based) or >90 (internet based)
- An IELTS score of >6.5
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

3. Highly motivated
An applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Examination Board that they have serious research interests and skills. Applicants must write a motivation letter and send a writing sample which can help evaluate their research and writing skills.

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually, and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate, they require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into three groups. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education. Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

Our approach to this field

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Our research in this field

What makes this programme special?
The English-taught Research Master's programme in Philosophy is a two-year course that is meant for students of proven ability who wish to prepare for an academic career in philosophy. We offer the following to provide you with the best possible academic background:
- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- A big offer of research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy and the History of Philosophy
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/logic

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The Master’s programme in Philosophy at Leiden University is characterised by a firm integration of historical and systematic approaches in philosophy and an emphasis on studying primary philosophical texts. This constantly links both historical scholarship and current philosophical debates.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/philosophy/en/introduction

Course detail

The Leiden Institute for Philosophy offers a combination of Continental and analytical philosophy, which is an attractive feature for students searching for a confrontation of different types of philosophical method.

Specialisations

- Ethics and Politics
- History and Philosophy of the Sciences
- Philosophical Anthropology and Philosophy of Culture
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics

The specialisations Ethics and Politics, History and Philosophy of the Sciences, and Philosophical Anthropology and Philosophy of Culture aim to give students a broad and deep knowledge of and insight into philosophy, a number of its branches, and their historical development. The programme is characterised by a firm integration of historical and systematic approaches in philosophy and an emphasis on studying primary philosophical texts. This constantly links both historical scholarship and current philosophical debates.

The specialisation Philosophy, Politics and Economics has a distinctively interdisciplinary profile. The programme enables students to engage with issues in philosophy, politics, and economics at the cutting edge of these fields. It aims to draw sophisticated connections between social, political, and economic phenomena, using the methods of philosophical inquiry as tools for addressing these issues.

Career

The MA programme in Philosophy prepares students for any career in which conceptual, analytic and interpretative skills are important, including careers in the public sector, business and the media. Successful completion of an MA can lead to PhD research and to an academic career.

Positions you could hold after your studies:

- Policy Officer at a ministry
- Copywriter at a media company
- Freelance editor
- PhD at an foreign university
- Freelance text writer

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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Master's specialisation in Philosophical Anthropology (Research)

In Philosophical Anthropology you study the philosophical significance of psychoanalytical hermeneutics as developed by Freud and followers (Lacan, Klein, et al.) Research focuses in particular on the phenomenological tradition (Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze and Butler).
The Centre for Psychoanalysis and Philosophical Anthropology (CPPA) was founded in 1999 as a cooperative venture between two departments of Philosophical Anthropology, at Radboud University and at the Catholic University Leuven (Belgium). The CPPA works closely with several other psychoanalytical and philosophical centres and departments in the Low Countries.
Philosophers usually assume that philosophy is important for psychoanalysis (and psychotherapy in general) in that it can elucidate and analyse the foundations of the latter, but that psychoanalysis can contribute little or nothing to philosophy as a consequence.
Yet, a long-standing tradition at the Radboud University and the Catholic University Leuven emphasizes the role of psychoanalysis and Freudian metapsychology as critical tools for philosophy. According to this school of thought, the Unconscious (language, the Other) generates a radical alienation in the human subject, which is of the utmost importance for philosophical theorizing about human nature.
However, it would be wrong to reduce the philosophical implications of psychoanalysis to this aspect of alienation. The methodology of psychoanalysis as applied to an understanding of human thinking, feeling and behaviour through psychiatric concepts and phenomena appears to be equally important, with the potential for a theory of human nature, in which different pathological variants are understood as intrinsic possibilities of human existence.
Clearly, this approach has far-reaching consequences for our understanding of the relation between normality and pathology. This avenue is currently being pursued at the CPPA in an endeavour to explore philosophical psychopathology and its consequences, both as a contribution to Freudian metapsychology and as a critique of it.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/anthropology

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, nor to one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills; namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions using clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate; they require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first vocational step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into three groups. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education. Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

Our approach to this field

The Centre for Psychoanalysis and Philosophical Anthropology (CPPA) was founded in 1999 as a cooperative venture between two departments of Philosophical Anthropology, at Radboud University and at the Catholic University Leuven (Belgium), respectively. The CPPA works closely with several other psychoanalytical and philosophical centres and departments in the Low Countries.

Philosophers usually assume that philosophy is important for psychoanalysis (and psychotherapy in general) in that it can elucidate and analyse the foundations of the latter, but that psychoanalysis can contribute little or nothing to philosophy as a consequence.

Yet, a long-standing tradition at the Radboud University and the Catholic University Leuven emphasises the role of psychoanalysis and Freudian metapsychology as critical tools for philosophy. According to this school of thought, the Unconscious (language, the Other) generates a radical alienation in the human subject, which is of the utmost importance for philosophical theorizing about human nature.

However, it would be wrong to reduce the philosophical implications of psychoanalysis to this aspect of alienation. The methodology of psychoanalysis as applied to an understanding of human thinking, feeling and behaviour through psychiatric concepts and phenomena appears to be equally important, harbouring the possibility of a theory of human nature, in which different pathological variants are understood as intrinsic possibilities of human existence.

Our research in this field

What makes this programme special?
The English-taught Research Master's programme in Philosophy is a two-year course that is meant for students of proven ability who wish to prepare for an academic career in philosophy. We offer the following to provide you with the best possible academic background:
- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- Research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy and the History of Philosophy
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/anthropology

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Are you a talented philosophy student, wishing to pursue an academic career in philosophy? The Research Master programme in Groningen is your entrance key to the world of research in philosophy.

A comprehensive graduate programme, including fully funded PhD positions!

The programme provides you with the opportunity to develop your research interests and skills in one of the leading Philosophy programmes in continental Europe. Distinguishing aspects of this degree are its interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on analytical skills. The programme consists of two years, including coursework, the writing of the thesis and of a research proposal. This proposal can later be used to apply for a PhD position. At the start of the degree you will choose a specialization in History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy or Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. For the courses, you will focus on subjects within your chosen domain. You will get an overview of the central debates within this domain and learn to situate them in a wider context. You will learn to analyze complex arguments and to formulate your own views on philosophical problems and debates.

Why in Groningen?

Our programme offers fully funded three-year PhD positions to the two best students graduating from the programme every year. This will allow them to pursue their research up to the doctorate level. The programme provides you with the opportunity to develop your research interests and skills in one of the leading Philosophy programmes in continental Europe. Distinguishing aspects of this degree are its interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on analytical skills.

Hence, the programme offers ideal conditions for those wishing to pursue a research career in philosophy.

Results of the National Student Assessment (NSE) show that our students are very satisfied with the contents of our programmes and that they value the expertise of our teaching staff.

Small-scale classes and a friendly, informal setting enhance contacts between our staff and students. In reviews of the Keuzegids Universiteiten (Consumer Guide for Dutch University Education) and in the Higher Education Review of Dutch University Faculties (performed yearly by Elsevier Magazine), our faculty was ranked number one by both students and professors year after year. In the past 13 years, our Bachelor programme Philosophy was judged best in the Netherlands both by students and by professors 11 times, and second best in the remaining two years.

Job perspectives

Research Master's graduates often go on to do a PhD in philosophy. Other areas in which our students find work are education, journalism, the media, publishing, politics and policymaking.

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The two-year Master’s programme in Philosophy is intended for students in a particular academic discipline, who are interested in the philosophical foundations and methodological aspects of that discipline.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/philosophy-of-a-specific-discipline/en/introduction

Course detail

The programme aims to give students a broad and deep knowledge of and insight into philosophy, a number of its branches, and their historical development. Additionally, the programme aims to give students advanced academic skills in the interpretation of texts, the analysis and solution of conceptual problems and the communication of ideas and viewpoints to specialist and general audiences.

The Leiden Institute for Philosophy has strong international links with philosophy departments worldwide, resulting in an active programme of visiting scholars and lecturers. The Institute’s research programme ‘meets the highest international standards’, according to the latest external research assessment of March 2006.

Specialisations

- Philosophy of Humanities
- Philosophy of Law
- Philosophy of Natural Sciences
- Philosophy of Political Science
- Philosophy of Psychology

Careers

The MA programme in Philosophy of a Specific Discipline prepares students for a profession in the field of the specific discipline for which philosophical knowledge, insight and skills have added value, or for other professions in which philosophical knowledge, insight and skills have added value.

Successful completion of an MA in Philosophy of a Specific Discipline can lead to PhD research and to an academic career. Furthermore, the MA programme aims to prepare students for any non-academic career for which general academic skills such as abstraction skills, heuristic capability and creativity are required.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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Would you like to strengthen your philosophical knowledge and skills? Then this Master's programme is for you.

The one-year Master's programme in Philosophy (60 EC)

You take six courses within one of the following specializations: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy or Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy.

In the second part of the degree, you do a small literature assignment and a large thesis.

The Master's programme in Philosophy (60 EC) is offered both on a full-time and part-time basis.

Why in Groningen?

Results of the National Student Assessment (NSE) show that our students are very satisfied with the contents of our programmes and that they value the expertise of our teaching staff. Small-scale classes and a friendly, informal setting enhance contacts between our staff and students. In reviews of the Keuzegids Universiteiten and in the Higher Education Review of Dutch University Faculties, our faculty was rated number one by both students and professors year after year - and second-best twice.

Job perspectives

After finishing the Master's degree, many philosophers find work as educators, journalists, editors and policy advisors, both in business and at governmental agencies. It is also possible to become a researcher at the university or a private research institute.

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The Faculty of Philosophy offers a high-quality English language master's programme in PPE to national and international students. The master’s in PPE at the University of Groningen offers an interdisciplinary degree for ambitious students with diverse interests and backgrounds, providing specialist training in understanding the social world. Public policy as much as commerce increasingly requires broader, more integrated theories and methodologies.

The programme offers systematic training for the development of analytical and quantitative skills as well as a solid background of theoretical and historical knowledge in PPE. It aims to encourage open-mindedness and responsible decision-making, and while it is truly interdisciplinary, it will have a very clear and distinct identity, focusing on methods uniting the three disciplines of philosophy, political science and economics.

The programme is open to students with Bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, political science and economics, as well as to students with Bachelor’s degrees in history, international relations, sociology, psychology, provided they demonstrate sufficient knowledge of at least one of the three core fields (philosophy, political science, economics).

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Philosophy of Humanity and Culture

In Philosophy of Humanity and Culture we go into the topics dealt with in classics from the European tradition. Topics we will be discussing include the difference between ‘nature and ‘culture’, ‘humans’ and ‘animals’, ‘being’ and ‘appearing’, ‘Enlightenment’ and ‘Romanticism’. In this, we put particular emphasis on the importance for our identity of history, religion, art, language and psychology. We also pay attention to the role of memory, gender, the relationship between literature, film and philosophy, war, art and remembrance, and that between religion and secularization. Together, these all contribute to our understanding of human existence, culture and society.

In modern times, from the seventeenth century onwards, widely differing answers have been given to the questions raised in classic works. Answers that resonate in present-day philosophical, scientific, religious and political debates. As a philosopher, you are not easily satisfied with answers given. That is why in the Philosophy of Humanity and Culture Master’s program you learn to continuously ask relevant questions, and what these questions entail. In addition to clear observation, reasoning, and speaking and writing, you learn to critically scrutinize humans and human society through various philosophical approaches. That way you position yourself firmly at the heart of life and society.

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In the selective, Research Master's programme in Philosophy you can deepen your understanding of internationally-oriented research on philosophical issues and their history.

Philosophy is a selective, two-year, Research Master's programme that emphasises active participation in research. During your studies, you will develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to be a successful researcher - whether you go on to pursue a PhD in philosophy (our graduates have been highly successful in securing PhD grants) or to pursue a career in one of the many fields that require key research skills. As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to approach your ongoing work with analytical rigor, conceptual clarity, expressive precision, compelling argumentation, and a keen awareness of historical perspectives.

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Philosophy of Contemporary Challenges

In the track Philosophy of Contemporary Challenges you will come to grasp the philosophical and ethical issues that arise with respect to populism, migration, terrorism, inequality, sustainability and the role science and technology play in our society. In doing so, you develop crucial skills such as thinking critically, conceptualizing clearly and arguing convincingly, each of which is a valuable asset in today’s job market.

^{A philosophical perspective on society}

This track is unique, because it combines a philosophical and ethical perspective with an applied focus on urgent societal evolutions and problems. This unique program stimulates you to question and criticize conventional ideas of sociologists, economists and other specialists about democracy, justice, market forces, science and technology.  

^{Challenge yourself and others}

All courses are taught by experts in the respective fields and revolve around state-of-the-art literature from contemporary thinkers. You learn to come to grips with these at a high academic level and apply them to contemporary challenges in society.

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