BA in Philosophy, Politics and Society
Nijmegen, Netherlands
BA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,695 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Final deadline for EU students: 01.07.2026| Deadline for EU students who want to get assistance with housing: 01.05.2026
** Institutional tuition fee EU/EEA: €9,578.00 | For non-EU/EEA students: €13,793.00
Key Summary
About: The BA in Philosophy, Politics and Society covers essential themes in philosophical thought, political theory, and social organization.
It encourages critical thinking and analytical skills through a multidisciplinary approach, blending theoretical frameworks with real-world applications.
You’ll explore key topics such as ethics, governance, and civic responsibility, preparing you to critically assess societal issues.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue a variety of roles, including policy analyst, political consultant, journalist, or researcher.
This degree equips you with strong communication and analytical skills, valuable in sectors such as public service, non-profits, or academia.
Career opportunities extend into law, business, and education as well.
Choosing which university to attend can be a big decision. The Bachelor's Open Day gives you the opportunity to do so and to learn more about all the programmes we offer.
Are you interested in how our thinking about the world helps shape the world? If you are fascinated by the ideas that determine the course of humanity, then Philosophy, Politics, and Society might be the perfect fit for you.
Something for you?
- An issue-oriented philosophy programme
- Bachelor program fully taught in English
- An international community of staff and students
Why study Philosophy, Politics, and Society in Nijmegen?
Are you fascinated by the political, technological, cultural and ecological challenges that dominate the headlines? Do you want to study the concepts and ideas behind those challenges? Are you interested in how our thinking about the world helps shape the world? If you are fascinated by the ideas that determine the course of humanity then Philosophy, Politics and Society may be the perfect fit for you.
PPS is a uniquely issue-oriented philosophy programme. You study the philosophical underpinnings of global issues that will determine the course of the future. The curriculum is organised around themes such as ecological crises, scientific progress, the future of technology, identity politics and the global political landscape.
- For each theme, you examine a combination of key historical philosophical texts, contemporary thinkers and empirical cases.
- PPS explores the defining issues of the 21st century from a wide variety of theoretical perspectives without the narrow economic focus of traditional PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) programs.
- PPS works with other faculties including Law, Management, Social Sciences and the Science Faculty.
Study duration: 3 years (180 EC)
The Philosophy, Politics and Society Bachelor's programme takes three years to complete and prepares you for the PPS Master's programme, a two-year Research Master in Philosophy, or a one-year Master’s programme in Philosophy or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences.
Academic freedom
You can opt to replace one or two modules with courses from other faculties. This includes the option to do part of your studies at other universities in the Netherlands or even in other countries.
For example, are you mainly interested in the philosophy of nature and contemporary ecological challenges? Then follow the PPS 'Ecology and Sustainability' module, but replace one or two other modules with courses on ecosystems or sustainable development at other faculties.
Are you fascinated by the philosophy of law and its role in debates on global justice? Follow the PPS 'Global Justice and Human Rights' module, and see if it can be supplemented with courses from our Faculty of Law.
Are you intrigued by how science and technology might change the world? Then select modules about those subjects, and maybe spend a semester abroad at a university that offers courses on similar themes.
Curriculum
Curriculum year 1
Your first year consists of three extensive introductory courses on the rich history of Western philosophy; six systematic courses on Political Philosophy, Ethics, Metaphysics, Philosophical Anthropology, Philosophy of Science and Social- & Cultural Philosophy; plus three courses that teach you academic methods and skills.
Curriculum year 2
Your second and third year are organized around modules that consist of three courses each. Modules focus on specific themes, for example global justice, human rights, digital technology, and ecological challenges. From a wide selection of modules, you select which modules best suit your interests.
Curriculum year 3
Your second and third year are organized around modules that consist of three courses each. Modules focus on specific themes, for example global justice, human rights, digital technology, and ecological challenges. From a wide selection of modules, you select which modules best suit your interests. In your third year, you also write your bachelor thesis.
Every global problem that humanity faces demands that we understand how our thoughts, concepts and theories shape the world and our experience of it. The Bachelor's in Philosophy, Politics and Society gives you the tools and expertise to understand, analyse, and navigate the theoretical frameworks that define and shape our society.
After your studies
A combination of a PPS Bachelor's and a Master's tailored to your interests gives you access to a range of fields and professions. Studying philosophy is excellent preparation for a career in policy analysis, journalism, politics, consultancy, public administration, or government. For your future employers, think of:
- Local, national, and international governments
- Businesses varying from start-ups to multinationals
- NGOs and charity organizations
- Media organizations
- Think tanks and institutes for policy analysis
- Education and academic research
Career prospects depend on your Master's. Most students apply for a Master's programme after obtaining their Bachelor's degree. Your career options depend on the specialisation you choose.
Continuing your studies
After obtaining your Bachelor's degree you can enter the labor market. However, most students opt to continue on to a Master's degree. Obtaining a Master's degree gives you several advantages, including increasing your career opportunities. With a bachelor's degree in Philosphy, Politics and Society at Radboud University you can progress to:
Master in Philosophy, Politics and Society
Research Master in Philosophy
Master in Philosophy (in Dutch)