The Faculty

A top ranked faculty in Europe to study philosophy

Widely regarded as one of the top universities to study philosophy in Europe, the Faculty of Philosophy offers two Bachelor's programmes and multiple Master's programmes, which includes a selective one-year MSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and a two-year Master's Philosophy and Science (P&S) to be taken alongside a student's current Master's programme. The faculty consists of three departments: Theoretical Philosophy, History of Philosophy, and Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy.

Our degree programmes have consistently been ranked high amoung the best in the Netherlands and are home to around 500 students per year. Our research areas include philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, ethics, political philosophy, and the history of philosophy. We have around 75 staff members working at the faculty. Read more about our rankings.

An inspiring, friendly and international community

Located in the historical centre of Groningen, the faculty is an internationally oriented community of researchers and teachers that welcomes students from all over the world to broaden and deepen their knowledge, and sharpen their skills in an inspiring, friendly and collegial setting.

Two NWO Spinoza Prize laureates

The highest distinction in Dutch Academia, the Spinoza Prize, has been awarded to two UG professors; to Professor of Ethics and its History Pauline Kleingeld and to Professor of the History of Philosophy Lodi Nauta, in 2020 and 2016 respectively.

History

The Faculty of Philosophy was not established until 1965, when it became the Centrale Interfaculteit (Central Interfaculty), indicating the connection of all scientific disciplines through philosophy and aiming for social responsible training for all students.