MA in Philosophy - Moral and Political Philosophy

Leiden University

The master's in Philosophy: Ethics and Politics at Leiden University offer an excellent opportunity to explore fundamental issues in moral and political philosophy. Starting 1 September 2020, this programme will be continued as Philosophy: Moral and Political Philosophy.

Why study Ethics and Politics at Leiden University?

The programme capitalises on Leiden University's internationally-acclaimed expertise in practical philosophy which covers the entire gamut of moral and political philosophy. The Leiden Institute of Philosophy hosts the Centre for Political Philosophy which brings together all researchers with an active interest in political philosophy from different institutes, branches and fields of study at Leiden University, making Leiden one of the best places to study ethics and politics.

What will you study?

This programme focuses on fundamental problems of moral and political philosophy. You will be immersed in philosophical reflection on the foundations and normative principles underlying individual action and society. Questions such as the relation between individual responsibility and structural justice, the nature of our moral discourse, and the fundamentals of practical judgment will be on the menu.

Develop your skills

This challenging programme attracts talented and highly-motivated students. In-class discussions will help you develop analytical and communicative skills. Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure a high level of contact between students and lecturers. You can expect to graduate with in-depth knowledge and advanced skills in critical-thinking – ensuring you that you will stand out in any future career.

Philosophy degree

Ethics and Politics at Leiden University is an accredited degree programme of Philosophy. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited master’s degree in Philosophy and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Career prospects

Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University.

What our graduates do

The one-year master’s programme in Philosophy prepares you for any career in which reasoning skills, high levels of abstraction and critical thinking are valued. Our graduates are currently employed in a wide range of professions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Successful completion of an MA can also lead to PhD research and a career in academia.

Currently 100% of our students find employment at university-graduate level within one year of completing our one-year MA in Philosophy. We can attribute this both to the high quality of the programme and the talent and ambition of our students.

You will find our graduates working in an astonishingly wide range of professions and professional organisations. Examples include:

• Policy Officer at a ministry
• Copywriter at a media company
• Freelance editor
• PhD candidate at an foreign university
• Editor at a communications consultancy firm
• Consultant at an IT consultancy firm
• Editor at a company specialising in reviewing theses and dissertations
• Coordinator at an international human rights watch organisation
• PhD candidate at a university in Sweden