Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy Leiden University

Overview

This master's programme offers you an advanced education in philosophy with a focus on questions in politics and economics. It is ideal for students who aspire to a career in policymaking, politics, journalism and a wide range of other professional occupations. The programme capitalises on Leiden University's internationally-acclaimed expertise and close proximity to the Hague to bring you state-of-the-art courses. You will learn to apply philosophical methods to social, political and economic phenomena, from democracy and the nation-state to the nature of global capitalism, with the purpose of bringing clarity to ongoing discussions and paving the way to novel solutions.

This challenging programme attracts talented and highly-motivated students. In-class discussions will help you develop analytical and communicative skills. Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure a high level of interaction between you, your classmates and your lecturers, many of whom are at the leading edge of their fields.

What you will learn

Our graduates are valued by employers for their critical skills, their analytical acumen and ability to think outside the box. According to human resources analysts Pay Scale, philosophy graduates end up in the top 10% of earners in society. And the rewards are not confined to earning potential.

The MA 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

This programme is an ideal training ground for individuals who aspire to a career in policy making, politics, governance, public administration, and social entrepreneurship, as well as in creative fields such as journalism, media and the arts. Graduates of this programme lead the way in opinion-forming and agenda-setting professions including politics and journalism.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Policy Officer at a ministry
• Copywriter at a media company
• Freelance editor
• PhD candidate at a university abroad
• Editor at a communications consultancy firm
• Consultant at an IT consultancy firm
• Editor at a company specialising in reviewing theses and dissertations
• Coordinator at an international human rights watch organisation

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.