Philosophy (MA) (60EC)

Why study Philosophy at Leiden University?

Leiden University is home to 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.

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What are your career prospects?

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.

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Is Philosophy the programme for you?

The intellectual skills you will develop by studying philosophy are transferable to most non-philosophical professions. The master’s 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.

Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's programme?

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Learn from thought leaders

At Leiden University, great minds have been gathering for over five hundred years to explore fundamental questions. Today, the Institute for Philosophy at Leiden University is an international centre for research and education, with an expansive network of partner institutes and an active programme of visiting lecturers.

During your master’s programme in Philosophy, you learn from researchers of the highest international standing. Our lecturers are committed to helping you reach your potential. At Leiden University, small classes allow ample opportunity for contact between you and your lecturers.

Marie Lucassen

Student MA Modern European Philosophy

"One of the reasons I chose to study Philosophy was to improve my writing skills. A journalist I know recommended it to me, saying that this programme is better suited for that purpose than, for example, History or even Dutch Language and Culture. In Philosophy, you need to write a lot of essays and other texts, and argumentation is an important part of that. I've had plenty of practice in the past few years and I do feel that my writing has significantly improved. Another reason why I'm drawn to Philosophy is that it revolves around the love of thinking and learning how to do it in a solid, rigorous way."

Bente de Haan

Student MA Modern European Philosophy

"I am currently writing my thesis, which means I have almost completed my Master's. Philosophy is not a natural follow-up to my Bachelor's. When I was in the process of choosing a Bachelor's programme, I was torn between English and Philosophy, and eventually opted for English Language and Culture. However, while doing that programme, I found that I really missed philosophy. So I decided to continue my studies with a Master's in Modern European Philosophy. Because my Bachelor's degree was in a different field, I had not followed some of the courses that were required for Modern European Philosophy. In order to make up for this, I first did a pre-Master's programme."