Philosophy

Overview

The Institute of Philosophy offers a comprehensive range of BA, MA, Research Master and PhD degrees, all taught in English. Viewed collectively, our undergraduate and post-graduate degrees aim to familiarise students with the history of philosophy as well as with contemporary movements in analytic and continental philosophy so that they are able to engage with the fundamental areas of philosophical research. The Institute of Philosophy is proud to offer its students a broad philosophical education and a wide range of courses and seminars, as well as personalised study support and guidance.

The aim of the MA programme is to deepen students’ knowledge of philosophy by exposing them to more advanced study of the central issues of the subject and by equipping them with the requisite research skills needed to proceed to a higher degree. The programme is comprehensive and at the same time allows students to begin to develop their own specialisation. 

Programme outline

The Master of Arts in Philosophy is a one-year programme providing a broad range of both historical and systematic Core Courses which, together with elective courses, guarantee the comprehensiveness of the programme. Yet, the programme structure allows students to deepen their knowledge in a particular philosophical domain or period, thus laying the basis for their future specialisation.

The Master’s Thesis is a key part of the programme, where students demonstrate their research, writing and argumentative skills, as well as thorough insight in the chosen research question and the correct use of primary and secondary sources. Students are encouraged to present their thesis research to the international audience of fellow students, permanent teaching staff and young researchers associated with the institute at the yearly Graduate Student Conference. The Institute of Philosophy has hosted the conference with great success since 2011. For help with the writing process or preparing a presentation, students can turn to the HIW Skills Lab.

Objectives

At the end of the Master of Arts in Philosophy programme, the student should ...

• Have a profound knowledge of and insight into at least one systematic or historical philosophical domain and have an appreciation of the way this domain fits together with other philosophical domains
• Have a thorough knowledge of issues in several other systematic and historical philosophical domains as chosen by her/himself
• Be able to relate the acquired specialised philosophical knowledge to the cultural, societal and academic context
• Have knowledge of and insight into current philosophical debates and research and be able to follow and actively incorporate them into the student's own reflections and research

• Have an insight into the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of various philosophical traditions, methods and approaches
• Be able to apply this insight to a variety of philosophical issues

• Have an insight into the relevance of approaches from other academic disciplines for investigating philosophical problems

• Be able to reflect philosophically on societal and cultural phenomena and scientific developments
• Be able in a professional context to provide insight into philosophy's importance in society

Graduates in philosophy go on to careers in many different sectors, including business, civil service, politics, education, publishing, media, the socio-cultural sector, journalism, academia ...

Many employers seek candidates who are not only well grounded in a specific field, but are also able to handle the diverse challenges arising in a fast-paced workplace. Graduates in philosophy are well positioned to think clearly and respond effectively to the evolving challenges of contemporary employment.

The Philosophy programme is offered at KU Leuven.

Questions about student life in Belgium, life at KU Leuven or more information about a specific course? Chat with our students: www.kuleuven/be/chatwithourstudents.