Program Overview

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Master's Programme in Philosophy

The Master's programme in Philosophy at the University of Groningen is a one-year, 60 ECTS degree that offers students the opportunity to explore fundamental questions in philosophy. The programme is designed to provide students with a systematic investigation of philosophical topics, including the relation between mind, body, and cognition, the nature and basis of moral judgements, the limits of knowledge, and the principles of social justice.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises one year (60 ECTS) and is based on three components:

• Two out of three skills-based core modules (10 ECTS)
• Five deepening philosophy courses (25 ECTS)
• A final project (25 ECTS) comprising either two specialization electives (10 ECTS) and a Master's thesis of 15 ECTS (Theoretical profile), or an internship (15 ECTS) and a short Master's thesis of 10 ECTS (Practical profile)

Courses

Students can choose electives from all three Philosophy departments:

• Theoretical Philosophy: logic; argumentation theory; (formal) epistemology; and philosophy of science, mind, and language
• Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy: normative ethics; meta-ethics; moral psychology; and contemporary political philosophy
• History of Philosophy: metaphysics; epistemology; ancient, medieval and (early) modern philosophy

Study Load

The study load is approximately 12 hours of class and self-study per week.

Study Abroad

Study abroad is unaccommodated.

Entry Requirements

• Dutch diploma
• International diploma
• Students with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or Philosophy of a Specific Discipline can submit an application to the Admissions Board
• Students with a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 60 ECTS worth of Philosophy courses are also welcome to apply to the programme

Language Test

Applicants will need to prove their proficiency in English by means of one of the following tests:

• Cambridge C1/C2 certificate with a min. score of 180
• IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
• LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories)
• Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 54 in Listening and Speaking, min. 62 in Reading and Writing)
• TOEFL iBT: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 in Writing)

Tuition Fees

• Nationality: EU/EEA, Year: 2023-2024, Fee: € 2601, Programme form: full-time
• Nationality: non-EU/EEA, Year: 2023-2024, Fee: € 19200, Programme form: full-time
• Nationality: EU/EEA, Year: 2024-2025, Fee: € 2695, Programme form: full-time
• Nationality: non-EU/EEA, Year: 2024-2025, Fee: € 19900, Programme form: full-time

Job Prospects

After finishing the Master's degree, many philosophers find work as consultants, educators, journalists 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.

Research

Philosophical research in Groningen has a strong reputation, witness the excellent marks it has received for many years from international assessment committees. The research in Groningen covers a wide area, and it is carried out in three departments: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy and Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy.

Faculty of Philosophy

The Faculty of Philosophy is home to a variety of research areas, including the history of philosophy, theoretical philosophy, and ethics, social and political philosophy. The faculty is known for its strong reputation and excellent research.

Study Associations

STUFF is the social network of all philosophy students of the University of Groningen. STUFF organizes philosophical activities, like lectures and debates and trips to foreign universities as well as many social happenings.

Study Support

The programme provides study support and the study advisor monitors your study progress. If you have any questions you can contact the study advisor. You can contact the study advisor in case of personal problems that affect your study performance.

Follow Us

You can follow the Faculty of Philosophy on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.