All fields of study raise questions about their foundations, methodology, ethical and political implications, connection with other disciplines, and history. The MA P&S will enhance your competence and thinking.
Should science aim to be free of social and political
influences? How should we understand scientific progress? What
makes the results of science reliable or trustworthy? Thinking
about such questions gives you a deeper insight in your academic
discipline.
This unique 60-ECT programme gives you an additional Master's
degree in the philosophy of your field. We offer courses in the
philosophy and history of science, skills courses to improve your
writing, and tutorials in which you work with experts on the
philosophy of your discipline. You will learn to participate in
discussions and write texts that bridge the gap between sciences
and discourses. The thesis will focus on a topic of your choice in
the field of your discipline.
You have the option to complete this programme either before or
alongside your other Master's programme. The course load is
equivalent to that of a one-year programme, with classes scheduled
in the evenings to minimize overlap.
More information about the programme and courses can be found in the 2025-2026 study guide.
The next Philosophy Master's Day will be held on 26 November 2025. It is offered as a hybrid event as part of the University of Groningen Master's Week.
The Faculty of Philosophy is home to internationally renowned researchers working at the very forefront of the philosophy and history of science. Staff members have hands-on experience in an exhaustive range of scientific and scholarly fields as well as a thorough knowledge of the philosophy and history of those fields of study.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Philosophical writing (5 EC) | ||||
| Philosophy of your discipline: introduction (10 EC) | ||||
| Tutorial 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Specialization towards disciplines (10 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| History of Science (10 EC) | ||||
| Tutorial 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Thesis (15 EC) | ||||
The programme can be studied in one year, following the master in your field of study or in some cases preceding it, or in two years, alongside the master programme in your field of study.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
The MA Philosophy and Science can only be followed alongside an additional Master's programme in a different field of study. To study this programme you need to have completed a Bachelor's programme and need to either:
|
| language test |
Applicants with a VWO diploma are exempted from the language test requirement. Applicants will need to prove their proficiency in English by means of one of the following tests:
This requirement does not apply if you:
If the latter applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application. |
| other admission requirements |
Non-Dutch diploma holders need to complete and submit the Admission Checklist
Philosophy and Science with their application in the Progress
Portal. If you have a Dutch WO Bachelor's degree, but your Master's
qualification is from a university outside of the Netherlands,
please send the documents requested in the checklist to fil-admissions rug.nl. |
The MA Philosophy and Science is listed in Studielink under CROHO code 60823. The regular MA Philosophy is listed under CROHO code 60822. Both programmes appear in Studielink under the name "Philosophy". Please double-check that you select the correct programme when applying.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 February 2026 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 September 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
The MA Philosophy and Science can only be followed alongside an additional Master's programme in a different field of study. To study this programme you need to have completed a Bachelor's programme and need to either:
|
| language test |
Applicants will need to prove their proficiency in English by means of one of the following tests:
This requirement does not apply if you:
If the latter applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application. |
| other admission requirements |
International students can find more information on the application website: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/ To study this programme you need to have completed an academic bachelor programme, and be accepted for a master programme, currently study a master programme, or else have completed a master programme. |
The seven tracks of MA Philosophy and Science (CROHO code 60823) are all listed separately in Studielink. The regular MA Philosophy is listed under CROHO code 60822. Both programmes appear in Studielink under the name "Philosophy". Please double-check that you select the correct programme and track name when applying.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 February 2026 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 September 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
There are numerous opportunities for students who can combine scientific or scholarly expertise with an ability to reflect on their disciplinary background. They are good at identifying key issues in their field, and they have learnt to analyze problems sharply and clearly. They have strong communicative skills, a critical attitude, and awareness of the fundamental starting points of scientific and scholarly research.
All of these skills are highly valuable for students who aim for a research career in their respective discipline, or indeed in the history and philosophy of their discipline. But the very same skills are of great value in education and policy making, or in any other sphere in which scientific knowledge is evaluated and put to use.
In the Faculty of Philosophy, interdisciplinarity is not a mere buzz word but a living reality. Many of the faculty members have a background in a scientific discipline, and carry out research on the intersection of these disciplines and philosophy. This includes experts in psychology, physics, history, neuroscience, economics, sociology, linguistics, AI, statistics, medicine, and political science.
In general, philosophical research in Groningen has a strong reputation, witnessing the excellent marks it has received for many years from international assessment committees. In the most recent assessment, the research done in Groningen was judged to be “excellent / world leading”. The Faculty of Philosophy prides itself in an international orientation, and in a lively intellectual exchange among the departments, and between its departments and those of other, scientific or scholarly, faculties.
The research in Groningen covers a wide area, and it is carried out in three departments: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy and Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. In addition, the Faculty is home of the Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Read more about research of the Faculty of Philosophy in Groningen.
