Master of Philosophy
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EEA; June 1st for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for non-EEA; EUR 1157 for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
Introduction
Get in touch: join KU Leuven’s Webinars
Discover all that KU Leuven has to offer via one of KU Leuven’s Webinars about KU Leuven, admissions & applying, housing, and more.
Register Here.
About the programme
The aim of the programme is to deepen your 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.
The master provides a broad range of advanced courses while allowing you to focus on specific areas of philosophy and hence to begin to develop your own specialisation. At the end of the programme, you will be able to make a thorough and critical analysis of philosophical texts, to situate these texts in the history of ideas, and to conduct research at an advanced level, culminating in a Master’s thesis that allows you to present your own analysis of a specific philosophical topic. This programme can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Curriculum
Structure
The Master of Arts in Philosophy is a one-year program providing a broad range of both historical and systematic Core Courses which, together with elective courses, guarantee the comprehensiveness of the program. Yet, the program structure allows students to deepen their knowledge in a particular philosophical domain or period, thus laying the basis for their future specialization.
The Master’s Thesis is a key part of the program, where students demonstrate their research, writing, and argumentative skills, as well as thorough insight into the chosen research question and the correct use of primary and secondary sources. Students are encouraged to present their thesis research to an 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.
Ideal Students
- You should be able to further develop your knowledge of a range of philosophical themes and disciplines and build on previously acquired skills.
- You should be motivated to specialize in (a particular area of) philosophy and perform solid independent research at an academic level.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
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.
Faculty
Info Sessions
Rankings
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.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates in philosophy are trained to think critically and to effectively organize their thoughts in both written and oral communication. This is why they are considered valuable employees in many work environments.
Graduates in philosophy make careers in many different sectors inside and outside academia, including business, civil service, politics, education, publishing, media, the socio-cultural sector, and journalism.
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.