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Humanities Research - Philosophy, Master Degree, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time	1 year	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 17480 per year

About Humanities Research - Philosophy, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Keen to develop in-depth knowledge of the theories, methods and techniques of your research field, connecting them with other disciplines? Curious to find out how your research relates to societal issues? Make the connections that lead to inspiring humanities research.

The Humanities (Research) Master is a unique programme that provides extensive training in research design, in an inspiring and sustainable interdisciplinary research environment. The programme offers excellent preparation for an internationally oriented academic career or for other research-related positions.

Are you looking for in-depth discussions of current issues in epistemology, moral and political philosophy, as well as their historical roots? Do you want to study hot topic in the social world? Do you want to hone your research skills for a possible future PhD? Then the philosophy track is the programme for you!

Are you ready to apply historically informed views about knowledge and morality to topical issues like fake news and conspiracy theories, climate scepticism, the ubiquitous application of Artificial Intelligence, the relationship between freedom and equality, individual responsibility for collective outcomes, and the morality of markets?

Central questions

The Philosophy track prepares you for a career as a researcher in philosophy. It focuses on central questions concerning human knowledge and morality, and allows you to specialise in different areas.

Key features of the programme include:

The combination of historical and contemporary perspectives;
The programme’s connection to the department’s internationally renowned research projects;
A strong focus on research skills and preparation for an academic career;
The opportunity to spend a semester abroad;
The fact that the programme is embedded in a humanities research and education environment.

Philosophy is one of the tracks of the Master's programme in Humanities (Research).

Summer School

Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.

Learn more about Humanities Research - Philosophy, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

1. Academic requirements

Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).

2. Programme specific requirements

The Humanities (Research) Master programme is aimed at talented students who are exceptionally motivated to be trained in academic methods in their specific field of humanities. The two-year (Research) Master's is a good option for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD after their MA, but also more in general for students who cherish critical attitude, arrive at original lines of questioning based on a profound knowledge of their research subject, and wish to develop their research skills.

To be eligible to the Humanities (Research) Master programme, students should have a Bachelor’s degree in one of the Humanities disciplines History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Literature or Art, or an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s programme (such as Liberal Arts & Sciences, Arts and Culture Studies, PPE, PPLE, Political Sciences, Anthropology, European Studies, American Studies, Global Studies, Digital Society, Computer Sciences, Digital Humanities, or Environmental Humanities or Environmental Studies.

For the track Philosophy students must also meet the following requirements:

knowledge: applicants who wish to follow the track Philosophy must have a solid background with a minimum of 30 EC in philosophy.
understanding: an understanding of academic methodologies.
skills: an ability to analyse philosophical texts; the capacity to discuss developments in philosophy in a wider societal context, and to use theoretical writings

Admission is also based on additional strict selection criteria:

proof of excellent study results: outstanding grade for your bachelor’s thesis or similar final work (7.5 or higher), and an average of no less than 7.5 for a relevant selection of your bachelor’s programme (to be decided by the Admission Board).
clear motivation for doing academic research: showing evidence of enthusiasm, commitment, intellectual curiosity, genuine interest, perseverance, and capacity for sustained study.

The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

3. English-language proficiency requirements

You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Need financial assistance? Read about scholarships: Scholarships for Master's programmes

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.