Philosophy (60EC) Leiden University

Overview

The Master in Philosophy at Leiden University integrates historical and systematic approaches to offer you an advanced training in philosophical methodologies as well as reason, logic and critical thinking.

This one-year MA programme offers you the choice of five specialisations. Leiden University is home to the one of the oldest departments of philosophy in the Low Countries. Among its research strengths are political philosophy and non-Western philosophy. In addition, it hosts a large international staff with wide-ranging expertise in continental philosophy and the philosophy of knowledge. Content of the programme incorporates the very latest academic theory and the field’s historical development across a number of branches of philosophy.

The intellectual skills you will develop by studying philosophy are transferable to most non-philosophical professions. The master in Philosophy will train you to become a critical thinker, capable of analysing complex ideas and evaluating the principles of various positions. During your master, you will study, analyse and discuss primary philosophical texts while you learn to develop and communicate your own ideas.

What you will learn

The master’s programme in Philosophy at Leiden University aims to equip you with a range of intellectual skills and academic attitude that will help you thrive in any future position. Your high-level skills in abstraction, reasoning and critical thinking can be applied within any role, to any conceptual problem, helping you come up with innovative and out-of-the-box solutions.

Every student is encouraged to apply what they learn in a professional, practical or foreign situation. This may include studying abroad, working as an intern at an organisation, or getting involved in extracurricular activities. These experiences are valued by organisations, as are strong communication skills. In class, every student is invited to participate in discussions, learning how to confidently and clearly articulate their ideas.

Career prospects

The one-year master’s programme in Philosophy prepares you for any career in which reasoning skills, high levels of abstraction and critical thinking are valued. Our graduates are currently employed in a wide range of professions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Successful completion of an MA can also lead to PhD research and a career in academia.

Currently 100% of our students find employment at university-graduate level within one year of completing our one-year MA in Philosophy. We can attribute this both to the high quality of the programme and the talent and ambition of our students.

You will find our graduates working in an astonishingly wide range of professions and professional organisations. Examples include:

• Policy Officer at a ministry
• Copywriter at a media company
• Freelance editor
• PhD candidate at an foreign university
• Editor at a communications consultancy firm
• Consultant at an IT consultancy firm
• Coordinator at an international human rights organisation
• Teacher qualification

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master’s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master’s degree in the relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply.

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.