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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Philosophy and Science
Header image Philosophy and Science

Philosophy and Science

Every field of study raises a number of philosophical questions: about its foundations and methodology, its ethical and political implications, its connection with other disciplines, and its history.

Thinking about these questions gives you a deeper insight in your discipline, be it physics, medicine, psychology, economics, history, or any other field of study. This unique programme of 60 ECTS gives you an additional master's degree in the philosophy of your field.

This master offers courses in the philosophy and history of science, skills courses to improve your writing, and tutorials in which you work with experts on the philosophy of your discipline. You will learn to participate in discussions and write texts that bridge the gap between the scientific context and philosophical or public discourses. The master thesis will focus on a topic of your choice in the field of philosophy of your specific discipline.

The programme will provide you with philosophical research and writing skills that will enhance both your competence in your field and your thinking in general. More information about the programme and courses see page 82 of the 2024-2025 study guide.

Register for our Philosophy Master's Day on Wednesday 20 November. Registration is possible from 1 November. The Philosophy Master's Day is offered as a hybrid event and is part of the University of Groningen Master's Week.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Philosophy
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60823
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Philosophy
Why study this programme in Groningen?

The Faculty of Philosophy is a home to internationally renowned researchers working at the very forefront of the philosophy and history of science. Staff members have hands-on experience in an exhaustive range of scientific and scholarly fields as well as a thorough knowledge of the philosophy and history of those fields of study.

On top of that, results of the National Student Assessment (NSE) show that our students are very satisfied with the contents of our programmes and that they highly value the expertise of our teaching staff. Small-scale classes and a friendly, informal setting enhance contacts between our staff and students. In reviews of the Keuzegids Universiteiten and in the Higher Education Review of Dutch University Faculties, our faculty is almost always rated number one by both students and professors year after year. It scored 3 times 'excellent' in the last assessment of philosophical research in the Netherlands.

Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Philosophical writing (5 EC)
Philosophy of your discipline: introduction (10 EC)
Tutorial 1 (5 EC)
Specialization towards disciplines (10 EC)
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
History of Science (10 EC)
Tutorial 2 (5 EC)
Thesis (15 EC)

Curriculum

The programme can be studied in one year, following the master in your field of study or in some cases preceding it, or in two years, alongside the master programme in your field of study.

In the two-year variant (shown in the course scheme), you follow a general philosophy of science course in the first semester, and a course that specialises towards the history and philosophy of your discipline in the second semester, coupled to a course on writing skills. In your second year, you first follow a history of science course as well as two tutorials with experts in the philosophy of your field, and then write your master's thesis.

In the one year variant, philosophy and history of science run parallel, and the specialization course, the writing skills course, and the thesis are done in the second semester. Tutorials can be planned anytime after the first quarter.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
knowledge minimum

To study this programme you need to have completed an academic bachelor programme, and be accepted for a master programme, currently study a master programme, or else have completed a master programme.

language test

To confirm sufficient language proficiency, please submit your results on one of the following language tests:

  • IELTS: at least 7.0 overall score with no band less than 6.5;
  • TOEFL: at least 100 overall score, with section scores being at least 22 for Reading, 26 for Speaking, and 24 for Writing.

This requirement does not apply if you are a native speaker and have completed your secondary education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia; or if you have completed your bachelor education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia.

other admission requirements

To study this programme you need to have completed an academic bachelor programme, and be accepted for a master programme, currently study a master programme, or else have completed a master programme.

If you have completed or are following a master programme at a university outside of the Netherlands, please contact the study advisor to check if your master's qualification is sufficient in order to apply to the programme. Please include a copy of your master’s transcript of grades with your email. If your background is sufficient, you will only need to complete the 60 ECTS philosophy part to obtain your degree.

Registration procedure

Please note: this programme is offered under a different name in Studielink. You are asked to select one of seven tracks (examples: Philosophy of the Natural Sciences, Philosophy of the Life Sciences, Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences), based on your other master's programme. Please contact study advisor Janine Weeting (fil-study-advisor rug.nl) to check which track matches your programme.

Note that deadlines and entry requirements are based on your diploma and not on nationality.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 September 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
knowledge minimum

To study this programme you need to have completed an academic bachelor programme, and be accepted for a master programme, currently study a master programme, or else have completed a master programme.

language test

To confirm sufficient language proficiency, please submit your results on one of the following language tests:

  • IELTS: at least 7.0 overall score with no band less than 6.5;
  • TOEFL: at least 100 overall score, with section scores being at least 22 for Reading, 26 for Speaking, and 24 for Writing.

This requirement does not apply if you are a native speaker and have completed your secondary education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia; or if you have completed your bachelor education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia.

other admission requirements

International students can find more information on the application website: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/

To study this programme you need to have completed an academic bachelor programme, and be accepted for a master programme, currently study a master programme, or else have completed a master programme.

If you have completed or are following a master programme at a university outside of the Netherlands, please contact the study advisor to check if your master's qualification is sufficient in order to apply to the programme. Please include a copy of your master’s transcript of grades with your email. If your background is sufficient, you will only need to complete the 60 ECTS philosophy part to obtain your degree.

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
IELTS overall band7
TOEFL internet based100

Registration procedure

Please note that this programme has a different name in Studielink. You are asked to select one of seven tracks (examples: Philosophy of the Natural Sciences, Philosophy of the Life Sciences, Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences), based on your other master's programme. Please contact our study advisor Janine Weeting (fil-study-advisor rug.nl) to check which track matches your programme.

Note that deadlines and entry requirements are based on your diploma and not on nationality.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 September 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

There are numerous opportunities for students who can combine scientific or scholarly expertise with an ability to reflect on their disciplinary background. They are good at identifying key issues in their field, and they have learnt to analyze problems sharply and clearly. They have strong communicative skills, a critical attitude, and awareness of the fundamental starting points of scientific and scholarly research.

All of these skills are highly valuable for students who aim for a research career in their respective discipline, or indeed in the history and philosophy of their discipline. But the very same skills are of great value in education and policy making, or in any other sphere in which scientific knowledge is evaluated and put to use.

Job examples

  • Policy making
  • Consultancy working on the intersection of science and policy
  • Management consultancy
  • Journalism
  • PhD in your field of study or in a philosophy-related subject
  • Think tank, research company
Research

Excellent, world leading philosophy research

In the Faculty of Philosophy, interdisciplinarity is not a mere buzz word but a living reality. Many of the faculty members have a background in a scientific discipline, and carry out research on the intersection of these disciplines and philosophy. This includes experts in psychology, physics, history, neuroscience, economics, sociology, linguistics, AI, statistics, medicine, and political science.

In general, philosophical research in Groningen has a strong reputation, witnessing the excellent marks it has received for many years from international assessment committees. In the most recent assessment, the research done in Groningen was judged to be “excellent / world leading”. The Faculty of Philosophy prides itself in an international orientation, and in a lively intellectual exchange among the departments, and between its departments and those of other, scientific or scholarly, faculties.

The research in Groningen covers a wide area, and it is carried out in three departments: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy and Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. In addition, the Faculty is home of the Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Read more about research of the Faculty of Philosophy in Groningen.

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Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Gwendolyn Hooijkaas MSc (Admissions Liaison)
    Email: fil-admissions rug.nl
  • Janine Weeting MSc (Study advisor for Philosophy master's programmes)
    Email: fil-study-advisor rug.nl
  • Dr. Markus Eronen (Programme coordinator Philosophy and Science)
    Email: m.i.eronen rug.nl

Study associations

STUFF

STUFF is the social network of all philosophy students of the University of Groningen.
STUFF organizes philosophical activities, like lectures and debates and trips to foreign universities as well as many social happenings such as monthly meetings at a local café, (theme) parties, competitions etc.
https://stuffgroningen.nl/
Read more