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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Header image Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Does globalization undermine social solidarity? Does populism threaten our democracies? How do we encourage corporate social responsibility? And how can we rise to the challenge of climate change?

Our world today faces complex challenges that cannot be tackled by one discipline alone. We need an approach that cuts across boundaries. Our selective one-year Master’s programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) offers this interdisciplinary approach. The programme aims at ambitious students with a wide range of interests – students who want to explore the philosophical dimensions of political and economic issues and develop and apply their critical thinking tools. If you are interested to work at the interface between politics, economics and philosophy, this is your master's programme.

What will you learn? The programme will equip you with the central theoretical and methodological tools from PPE that allow you to understand and critically examine complex problems ranging from global poverty to the financial crisis. You will learn to analyze the political and economic complexities of organizational structures. You will see what is at stake in theories of democracy, collective decision‐making, rational choice, social inequality and economic growth. And you will learn how to apply theoretical insights to concrete policy problems both locally and globally. Find more information on page 73 in the 2024-2025 Study Guide.

Check out the Open Days at the University of Groningen. The next Philosophy Master's Day will take place on Wednesday 20 November 2024 and will be live-streamed.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
69321
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Philosophy

Financial support when studying PPE in Groningen

We offer two faculty grants of €5000 to talented non-EU/EEA applicants.

Find all information about the PPE faculty grants.

Scholarship options

Admitted prospective students from outside the EU/EEA can apply for the NL Scholarship.

Read more
Why study this programme in Groningen?

This programme has been rated exceptionally high by our students in the national student satisfaction survey NSE: our programme received the highest overall rating out of all Master programmes in the Netherlands. The average over-all score came to 4.9 out of 5!

PPE should be more than the addition of P, P and E. Rather than studying the three disciplines separately, the PPE master's programme in Groningen is unique in teaching PPE as a genuinely integrative discipline. Moreover, our programme offers a distinctive combination of theory and practice: you will learn to apply theories and methods to policy issues.

We combine a thorough interdisciplinary PPE foundation with ample opportunities for specialization. Our core courses and policy seminars provide the foundation, and our wide range of electives allow you to delve deeper into one or more of the disciplinary fields.

Our instructors are of top international quality. The Faculty of Philosophy, for example, is ranked as the best place to study philosophy in the Netherlands. Our small class sizes allow us to provide a close personalised approach, and a personal mentor will guide you through your studies.

Programme

The one‐year (60 ECTS) programme consists of nine modules of 5 ECTS each and a 15 ECTS Master thesis. Three of these nine modules constitute the academic core of the programme: Methods of PPE, Theories of PPE, and History of PPE. In two PPE seminars, knowledge from Methods and Theories is applied to policy issues. Four PPE electives and a Master thesis complete the programme.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Elective 1 (5 EC)
History of PPE (5 EC)
Theories of PPE (5 EC)
Elective 2 (5 EC)
Methods of PPE (5 EC)
PPE Seminar 1 (5 EC)
Elective 3 (5 EC)
Elective 4 (5 EC)
PPE Seminar 2 (5 EC)
Master Thesis (15 EC)

Curriculum

In the Methods of PPE module you learn the analytical and formal methods that make up PPE research: decision theory, statistics, policy impact assessment, game theory, and social and public choice theory. You learn the strengths and limitations of these methods, and discover how to frame problems and select the appropriate method for them.

In the Theories of PPE module, we focus on key concepts and theories, including rationality, utility, efficiency, equality and fairness. You will learn how to apply these concepts and theories to issues such as productivity, property rights, social security, markets, intergenerational justice, environmental policy, collective action, and voting.

In the History of PPE module, we critically reflect on the main historical traditions relevant to PPE, focusing on Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Smith, Rousseau and modern developments such as the rise of capitalism, Marxism, and utopian socialism.

In the PPE Seminars you will apply the methods and theories of PPE to concrete policy issues.

For the electives you can choose courses from a list of electives especially designed for the PPE programme and from electives in other programmes offered by the participating faculties.

To conclude your degree, you will write a Master's thesis on a topic of your own choice.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Philosophy, Politics and EconomicsAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Political ScienceAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

EconomicsAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

PhilosophyAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Philosophy of a specific disciplineAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Relations and International OrganizationUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

PhilosophyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Philosophy of a specific disciplineUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

SociologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The applicant has a Bachelor's degree in (1) PPE, or (2) Philosophy or Philosophy of a Specific Discipline, or (3) Economics, or (4) Political Science, or (5) another relevant field.

grade average

Transcript of records (min. grade average 7.5)

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please mention your relevant education and work experience.

assessment interview

After reviewing all applications, the Board of Admissions will admit some students directly and reject some students directly. Other students will be invited for an interview. In an interview, the Board of Admissions will address issues such as motivation, ambition, skills and general fit with the PPE programme. Once admitted, students will be given, where necessary, a reading list on issues they have not encountered in their Bachelor's. They will then follow up with their mentor on these issues once the programme starts.

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 100/120 overall score, with section scores being at least 22 for both reading and listening, 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
  • you have completed your bachelor education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia
  • you may also be granted an exemption from the language test if a substantial part of your previous degree is in English

If the latter applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application.

other admission requirements

Please find the MSc PPE admissions factsheet. Email ppe rug.nl if you require further information or if you have any questions.

Registration procedure

Students applying on the basis of a Dutch bachelor diploma, please submit your application (including all required documents) to: ppe rug.nl

Please find the admissions factsheet for PPE. After submitting your application, visit Aanmelding en inschrijving voor Nederlandse studenten and follow the application instructions. You can submit an application for the MSc PPE programme on studielink.nl

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

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

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The applicant has a Bachelor's degree in (1) PPE, or (2) Philosophy or Philosophy of a Specific Discipline, or (3) Economics, or (4) Political Science, or (5) another relevant field.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please mention your relevant education and work experience.

assessment interview

After reviewing all applications, the Board of Admissions will admit some students directly and reject some students directly. Other students will be invited for an interview. In an interview, the Board of Admissions will address issues such as motivation, ambition, skills and general fit with the PPE programme. Once admitted, students will be given, where necessary, a reading list on issues they have not encountered in their Bachelor's. They will then follow up with their mentor on these issues once the programme starts.

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 100/120 overall score, with section scores being at least 22 for both reading and listening, 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
  • you have completed your bachelor education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia
  • you may also be granted an exemption from the language test requirement if a substantial part of your previous degree programme is in English.

If this applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application.

other admission requirements

Please find the MSc PPE admissions factsheet for more information. Email ppe rug.nl if you require further information or if you have any questions.

Registration procedure

Go to studielink.nl and apply for the Master Philosophy, Politics and Economy

International students can find more information about the application procedure on the application website.

Non-Dutch diploma holders need to complete and submit the Admissions Checklist Master's Degree with their application.

We advise non-EU students to apply early as acquiring visa and other documents is often time consuming.

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 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

With its combination of a generalist PPE foundation and its opportunities for specialisation, our Master's prepares you for a broad range of careers. The programme provides you with the knowledge, insight, and skills to work in organizations as diverse as national or international public administrations, governmental and non‐governmental organizations, private businesses and banks, journalism, think tanks and research institutions.

Our alumni find jobs in the following fields and for the following employers:

Fields:

(Corporate Social Responsibility) consultancy; strategy consultancy, data science, funding, public affairs.

Employers:

Government departments, NGOs, embassies, university networks, sustainable investment companies, intergovernmental organizations.

Job examples

  • Policy Advisor at government level
  • Sustainability Analyst
  • Research
  • Policy Advisor Sustainability
  • Strategy consultant
  • Corporate Social Responsibility consultant
Research

Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Besides the PPE Master, Groningen has also made a firm commitment to become a hub for research at the interface of philosophy, politics and economics.

The Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Economics stimulates and facilitates such research by bringing together academics from the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. The Centre for PPE includes research areas such as moral philosophy, political theory, philosophy of economics, monetary and financial economics, decision theory, financial ethics, international relations, social epistemology, social ontology, moral psychology, organizational behaviour, and social psychology.

In its mission, the Centre involves students, PhD students, postdocs and senior researchers. It organizes seminars, workshops, a blog, a lectures series and conferences. The Centre also deepens existing connections with international partners in Europe, the US and elsewhere. Upcoming events can be found on the website.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

Meet our alumni: Rosie Pearce

I'm now working as a Policy Officer at Universities UK based in London. I am part of a team supporting the respective associations of veterinary schools, dental schools, and dental hospitals. I organize meetings and conferences for the groups, work on projects and facilitate information sharing within their networks.

Day to day, this looks like analyzing a survey for recently graduated vets on how well their degree prepared them for practice, or managing a bank account to ensure subscription fees cover upcoming costs.

To get my job it was essential to prove I could critically analyse evidence and best practice for policy making – luckily we had courses for just that within the PPE MSc! Demonstrating professional skills were just as important, writing reports as part of the course was excellent practice for what I do now. I came to this job after a six-month internship in a university consortium in Brussels (The Guild) immediately after graduation. I was enabled to take this opportunity by an Erasmus+ mobility grant, kindly arranged for me by the Philosophy faculty.

I'd like to continue a career within the university policy sector. I find the scope, impact and direction of the work makes for a motivating and rewarding environment.

Read more

Meet our alumni: Tom Jongen

After my studies PPE in Groningen, I started as a Data Science Consultant at IG&H in Utrecht. Here, I help companies to solve problems by finding answers in data, mostly in the Healthcare and the Retail sector.

During my master's I've written some essays about privacy and GDPR, something that remains very relevant in my current position. It is great to put to practice the theoretical knowledge we gather in the PPE programme!

Read more

Meet our alumni: Daan Juijn

Near the end of my Master´s degree in PPE, I successfully applied for a spot in the Government Trainee Programme (Rijkstraineeprogramma) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

During my Master’s in PPE, I had become very interested in policy-making, and especially so in climate-related policy. The Dutch energy transition is a prime example of an interdisciplinary problem that requires insights from both Philosophy, Political Science and Economics. What constitutes intergenerational climate justice? To what extent should our government take seriously climate-sceptic voters? And how can we use economic tools to stimulate companies and citizens to embrace sustainable measures? The latter question is very relevant within the context of the project that I currently work on.

My team and I are preparing the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) for the new period of Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (Gemeenschappelijk Landbouwbeleid). As the official paying agency, RVO.nl is partly responsible for making sure that the new Common Agricultural Policy contributes to Dutch and European climate goals, while providing financial support for farmers.

Read more

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