Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Philosophy - Research
Header image Philosophy

Philosophy

Our Research Master Philosophy offers you the opportunity to work with leading scholars in the history of philosophy, practical philosophy and theoretical philosophy.

The Faculty of Philosophy in Groningen is a vibrant, international community of excellent researchers and teachers. It consistently receives the highest evaluations both for research and for teaching among philosophy departments in the Netherlands from independent assessors.

The Research Master allows you to specialize in one of three areas: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy, or Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. You will receive instruction in core areas of philosophy and pick courses and tutorials aimed at your particular interests, we will also offer training in writing and presenting. More information about the programme and courses see page 90 of the 2024-2025 study guide.

Groningen's internationally renowned staff have expertise in most areas of philosophy, with particular strengths in early modern philosophy, ethics, metaethics, social and political philosophy, feminism, philosophy of mind, (formal) epistemology, logic, and the philosophy of science. Read about our research.

Register for our Philosophy Master's Day to be held on Wednesday 20 November 2024. Registration is possible from 1 November. The Philosophy Master's Day is offered as a hybrid event and is part of the University of Groningen Master's Week.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Philosophy (research)
Course type
Research master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60128
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Philosophy

Financial support when studying the Research Master in Groningen


We offer one faculty grant of € 5000 to talented non-EU/EEA applicants (February 2025 intake only).

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

Students can apply for prospective positions as a paid Teaching Assistant (TA).

Read more
Why study this programme in Groningen?

Results of the National Student Assessment (NSE) have shown that our students are very satisfied with the contents of our programmes and that they value the expertise of our teaching staff. Philosophical research in Groningen has a strong reputation, witness the excellent marks it has received for many years from international assessment committees. Our personal approach makes the faculty a warm and pleasant environment to study.

Programme

The first year involves four 'core issue' courses of 5 EC each. These relate to core research interests of our staff, such as Kantian ethics, methods in the history of philosophy, and the problem of induction.

You also choose three specialization courses of 10 EC each. At least two of these should normally be in your area of specialization (history of philosophy, theoretical philosophy or ethics, social and political philosophy).

Finally, you follow Research in Practice 1 (10 EC), which involves training in academic English, research ethics, and presenting your research.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Core Issues I-II (10 EC)
Specialization I (10 EC)
Research in practice I (10 EC)
Specialization II (10 EC)

The first part of this specialization course is in the first semester, the second part is in the second semester.

Core Issues III-IV (10 EC)
Specialization III (10 EC)

In the first semester, Dutch students go abroad. International students can do this too, but are not required to go abroad. It is up to you which courses you pick during this period (30 EC).

The second semester consists of writing a thesis (25 EC), and Research in Practice 2 (5 EC), which involves training in writing a research proposal for application to PhD programmes.

A comprehensive overview of our courses can be found in our catalogue: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/PROG-233

A further detailed description of the programme can be found in our prospectus: https://www.rug.nl/filosofie/education/prospectus

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Term abroad (30 EC)

students may also choose a 15 EC term abroad complemented with 15 EC electives.

Research in practice II (5 EC)
RM thesis (25 EC)
Programme options
Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy (specialization)
History of Philosophy (specialization)
Theoretical Philosophy (specialization)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is required
  • For an average of 16 weeks
  • Maximum of 30 EC

Study abroad is required for Dutch students

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

We expect a Bachelor's degree in philosophy or philosophy of a specific scientific discipline, or a degree which the admissions board considers to be equivalent.

grade average

Academic transcript: We expect applicants to have a mean score of at least 7.5 for relevant courses (corresponding roughly to an A-/B+ in the US system) If the programme involved a thesis, it also must have received at least an 8.

assessment interview

Once we have received your application and all required documents, the admissions board will evaluate your file. Applicants may subsequently be invited for an interview (possibly via Skype). In any case, you will hear from us no later than one month after the application deadline (see below).

language test

You will need to prove your proficiency in English by means of one of the following tests (the test result cannot be older than two years):

  • IELTS, minimum overall score 7.0 with no band lower than 6.5
  • TOEFL 100 (section scores Reading 22, Listening 22, Speaking 26, Writing 24)

This requirement does not apply if you:

  • are a native speaker and completed secondary education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia
  • 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 the latter applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application.

reference letter

Two reference letters: these letters should be written by instructors who know the student and should describe the student's past performance and academic promise.

(motivation-) letter

The applicant should explain their motivation and what is expected after graduation.

other admission requirements

Students with a degree from a Dutch university should send their application documents to fil-admissions rug.nl (Gwendolyn Hooijkaas) and follow the application instructions:

Applying with a Dutch Diploma.

Required documents in addition to the above to be provided with application:

Copy of bachelor diploma or proof of enrolment including expected graduation date

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Writing sample: This can be the student's Bachelor thesis or a paper he or she has written for a philosophy course.

International students can find more information about the application procedure on the application website. We advise non-EU students to apply early as acquiring visa and other documents is often time consuming.

Admissions factsheet (PDF).

Registration procedure

Dutch students wishing to apply for this programme please submit your application (including all required documents) to fil-admissions rug.nl.

Find application instructions on: Applying with a Dutch diploma.

Please note that application deadlines and entry requirements are based on the type of diploma and not on your nationality.

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

We expect a Bachelor's degree in philosophy or philosophy of a specific scientific discipline, or a degree which the admissions board considers to be equivalent.

grade average

Academic transcript: We expect applicants to have a mean score of at least 7.5 for relevant courses (corresponding roughly to an A-/B+ in the US system) If the programme involved a thesis, it also must have received at least an 8.

assessment interview

Once we have received your application and all required documents, the admissions board will evaluate your file. Applicants may subsequently be invited for an interview (possibly via Skype). In any case, you will hear from us no later than one month after the application deadline (see below).

reference letter

Two reference letters: these letters should be written by instructors who know the student and should describe the student's past performance and academic promise.

(motivation-) letter

The applicant should explain their motivation and what is expected after graduation.

other admission requirements

Students with a degree from a Dutch university should send their application documents to: fil-admissions rug.nl (Gwendolyn Hooijkaas). Please follow the application instructions:

Applying with a Dutch Diploma.

Required documents in addition to the above to be provided with application:

Copy of bachelor diploma or proof of enrolment including expected graduation date

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Writing sample: This can be the student's Bachelor thesis or a paper he or she has written for a philosophy course.

You may be also be granted an exemption from the language test requirement if a substantial part of your previous degree programme is in English. This applies to you, please include a short motivated request for an exemption with your application.

International students can find more information about the application procedure on the application website. We advise non-EU students to apply early as acquiring visa and other documents is often time consuming.

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

Admissions factsheet (PDF).

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
IELTS overall band7
TOEFL internet based100

Registration procedure

Please note that application deadlines and entry requirements are based on the type of diploma and not on your nationality.

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 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
01 November 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Financial support when studying the Research Master in Groningen

  • We offer one faculty grant of € 5000 to talented non-EU/EEA applicants (February 2025 intake only).
  • Admitted prospective students from outside the EU/EEA can apply for the NL Scholarship.
  • Students can apply for prospective positions as a paid Teaching Assistant (TA).

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

The Research Master in philosophy prepares you to do a PhD in philosophy, but it also provides vital transferable skills for other jobs where research and presentation skills are needed, such as journalism, government work, consultancy, publishing, and education.

For those who want to pursue an academic career in philosophy, Groningen offers many opportunities. The Faculty of Philosophy in Groningen is very successful at securing research grants, which fund many additional PhD and postdoc positions.

Research

Philosophical research in Groningen has a strong reputation as shown by the excellent marks it has received in recent years from international assessment committees.

According to the latest committee outcome, headed by Prof. Frank Veltman, "Groningen has maintained its well-established and justified reputation for research excellence" and continues to be "an exceptionally attractive place to work".

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.

Read more about the research of the Faculty of Philosophy in Groningen.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Dr. Laura Georgescu (Programme coordinator Research Master)
    Email: l.georgescu rug.nl
  • Gwendolyn Hooijkaas MSc (Admissions Liaison)
    Email: fil-admissions rug.nl
  • Study Advisor
    Email: fil-study-advisor rug.nl
  • General Questions For Prospective Students (Philosophy)
    Email: prospectives.phil rug.nl

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
Study support

The programme provides a great deal of study support. Small-scale classes and a friendly, informal setting stimulate contact between our staff and students. Each student is assigned a tutor that counsels the student on the choices of the individual study programme. Our international officer provides general information for international students and she also helps students to arrange the term abroad.

If you have any questions or problems you can always consult the study advisor. A study advisor can provide more detailed information about our programmes. He also monitors your study progress. You can also contact the study advisor in case of personal problems that affect your study performance. Students can make an appointment or drop by during consultation hours.