KU Leuven

Bachelor of Philosophy

Course Outline: Unique Combinations with Other Disciplines

The programme is structured with a common major paired with your choice of minor. The philosophy courses in the major (Truncus Communis) provide you with the necessary knowledge of systematic philosophy and its history and make you familiar with key philosophical topics and concepts. At the same time, you will learn how to read and analyse texts closely, to give well-structured presentations and to write a clear and cogent philosophical text. For the minor, you can choose one of the following options:

• The Liberal Arts Minor consists of a broad range of introductory courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with a strong interdisciplinary component. It also offers you the opportunity to read philosophical texts in French or German or to choose more philosophical electives.
• The Educational Studies Minor and the Theology and Religious Studies Minor are offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Studies and the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, respectively. These minors introduce you to the basic topics and methods of the two disciplines.

Four learning paths

The compulsory courses consist of four groups, spread over the entire bachelor's degree programme.

1. Historical-philosophical courses - Interested in the history of philosophy? The historical introduction course deals with the historical variability of the concept of philosophy. You will also receive an overview of philosophy from its origins to the present. Later in your programme, the lessons highlight the different periods in the history of philosophy in more detail: antiquity, the Middle Ages and modern times.
2. Systematic-philosophical courses - You study the basic concepts, problems and solutions of various sub-disciplines, such as ethics, anthropology and metaphysics. Of course, you will also examine the historical evolution of the field.
3. Philosophical expansion - Eco-philosophy, bioethics, media ethics ... courses here build a bridge to understanding societal developments.
4. Philosophical skills and research - Here you will gradually learn the tricks of the trade under supervision. In the first year of the bachelor's programme, you practice finding sources for yourself in a book, academic journal or online and putting them to use. You also learn to express and argue your thoughts in writing and orally. During the second year of the bachelor's programme, you study the relationship between philosophy and a number of themes from contemporary society: ethics and politics, science and technology, art and culture, sport, well-being, etc. In the third year of the bachelor's programme, the focus is on your bachelor's thesis, in which you develop your own research project.

Program - First Bachelor's

The study program may change slightly every year. The official study program that applies to the year in which you are studying can be consulted from 15 July onwards in KU Leuven's online program catalog, which is best viewed on a large screen.

• Logic
• Ethics
• Epistemology and Philosophy of Science
• Continental Philosophy
• Historical Introduction to Philosophy
• Research and Writing in Philosophy
• Minor

You should possess intellectual curiosity, a strong interest in questions of meaning, a capacity for abstract and conceptual thinking as well as a critical capacity to examine one’s presuppositions and views.

The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.

• Credits: 180 ECTS
• Degree Type: Bachelor
• Specifications: Bachelor of Arts.

What sets us apart as a university?

A highly ranked university

KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.

Research-based education

Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.

Affordable tuition fees

Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.

International student life with respect for diversity

According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.

KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program

KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.

With an academic bachelor's degree, you have a broad general knowledge, but you are not yet ready for the labour market. The bachelor's in Philosophy prepares you for a master's programme in which you will further deepen your knowledge. After obtaining your master's degree, you will have a wealth of knowledge and competencies and a wide range of career opportunities.