If you choose for the Master's specialisation in Metaphysics and Epistemology you will be totally immersed in the contemporary debate of one of the most important fields of Philosophy. As a Research Master’s student, you’ll be affiliated with the Centre for Contemporary European Philosophy and we offer enough courses in continental philosophy in order for you to fill your entire programme with it.

What will you learn?

The specialisation in Metaphysics and Epistemology looks at the age-old fundamental questions regarding being, truth and reality from a contemporary viewpoint with the help of modern philosophers. Of course, you’ll also examine these questions in the light of major thinkers from the hermeneutic tradition and from the continental tradition who were critical of these hermeneutic developments in philosophy. But again, with a contemporary aim: What new and original insights can these philosophers of the past give us today?

Career prospects

Master's programme in Philosophy (Research)

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers poke their noses into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into one of three groups:

A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating.
A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools.
And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education.

Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.