Testimonials

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Country of previous education

Dutch

Ilse Meijer was a Bachelor's student Philosophy, Politics, and Society.

Why did you choose Radboud University?

'I chose Radboud University because it offered the PPS program and because it offered me the possibility to combine PPS with CAOS (Cultural Anthropology and International Development Studies). The study advisers at Radboud University were very open and supporting about the fact that I wanted to do a double program. They have advised me to not immediately start two study programs entirely and so I enrolled for PPS and I have followed subjects from CAOS in the past year. Next year I will officially enrol for CAOS as well and do the remaining subjects of the first year, while continuing with PPS BA2.'

How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?

'Due to my gap year, high school was not so much in my mind anymore. Nevertheless, I think our professors were very considerate; they all recognized how university was different than high school and guided us through the first weeks. The main difference in my eyes, is that in university you are more autonomous and therefore more responsible for your own progress during the year. In the first year however, the study advisers keep an eye on everyone and their doors are always open.'

What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?

'I like how we get the basis of philosophy, but also already apply philosophical thinking to accurate cases during our courses. Philosophy is really a different way of thinking and starting with the first texts you read and the first classes you follow, it will continue to challenge you in everyday life. Everything I see, read or hear in the world, I think of in a different way. Oh, and your conversations and discussions will also become way more interesting!'

What do you think about the atmosphere in class?

'The atmosphere in class is very open and accepting. Teachers make sure that the classes are not just lectures, but also interactive. They want us to engage and do think for ourselves. If you do not understand something right away, which will definitely happen with certain philosophical theories, they are happy to explain it in different ways.'

What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?

'I will for sure finish CAOS and I want to do a Master's degree, probably abroad. My plans afterwards have been all over the place in the last year. I for sure want to be in an interdisciplinary environment so that you keep learning and people can keep learning from you. Perhaps a think tank, politics, development, international relations or writing or journalism. Like I said, all over the place. I think it is important to realise that you do not need to have plans for after university, and even if you do, it is okay to change them. Choose something you really find interesting. If you like your field of study and if you are passionate and ambitious, ideas about the future will come.'

What do you like about Nijmegen?

'I love how Nijmegen is a city but does not feel like one. The city centre has a lot of cafes, bars and lovely shops. The beach at the Waal is great to hang out (especially in summer) and everything is easily accessible by bike (the bike paths are all very good here).'

What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?

'I think it is important to realise that you do not need to have plans for after university, and even if you do, it is okay to change them. Choose something you really find interesting. If you like your field of study and if you are passionate and ambitious, ideas about the future will come. And for everyone who does not know what you can do with a philosophy or PPS degree; I think in this world that is changing faster and faster, with global problems and phenomena, philosophers are needed in all fields.'

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Country of previous education

Dutch

Lian van den Berg was a Bachelor's student Philosophy, Politics and Society.

Why did you choose Radboud University?

I chose Radboud University because it has a lot to offer its students and because it has a really nice welcoming student environment.

How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?

I was very pleased with the transition from high school to university. I was not sure what to expect from my first year, but I did not encounter any major problems with the workload or difficulty level. In addition, the teachers and guidance counsellors are always there to help.

What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?

What I like about PPS is that I am able to choose certain courses and minors in the second year and, therefore, alter the programme to my interests. I also like that it is taught in English and has many international students.

The programme has challenged me by introducing new courses that I knew little about and sparked my interest in them, leaving me wanting to learn more.

What do you think about the atmosphere in class?

The classes are small, which is nice because it is less overwhelming and more personal. We are also encouraged to ask questions and discuss current issues, by relating them to theories given in class.

What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?

I am not entirely sure what I want to do after I receive my Bachelor's degree. However, what I do know is that I want to continue studying.

Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?

I am a member of the F.C Sophia study association of our faculty. This association plans monthly drinks, lunch and different activities for all their members.

What do you like about Nijmegen?

I like that Nijmegen is a student city, has a lot of history and is surrounded by nature.

What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?

My best advice is to choose something where you can incorporate as many of your interests as possible. Do not be afraid to choose something that interests you but might be intimidating and out of your comfort zone. Everyone has got to start somewhere and the more you like something, the more you will work for it.

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Country of previous education

Germany

Rene Wiborny was a Bachelor's student Philosophy, Politics and Society at Radboud University.

Why did you decide to study in the Netherlands? And why did you choose Radboud University?

I chose the Netherlands because it is renowned for quality education and most of the research universities rank highly in numerous ranking tables. Moreover, there are really a lot of programmes offered in English which was a crucial point for me and which constitutes a significant difference compared to Germany.
Radboud caught my attention with their new PPS programme.

I was doubtful about my initial interest in the programme since I knew there were a couple of other fields of study that also interested me. In the end, having studied all course information I could gather, I decided it was a perfect fit for me. The holistic approach of the study and the opportunity to choose the modules I find most interesting made my decision easy. I found a variety of comparable programmes, but this particular one offers a one-of-its-kind approach to political study.

What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?

PPS is a programme that combines philosophy and contemporary debates. One of PPS´s biggest strengths is that it teaches how current societal problems are rooted in history and the history of thought.

What I like most about PPS is that it is an interdisciplinary subject. For instance, when we use British philosopher J.S.Mill as an example, we can see that philosophy is not just philosophy. He was an ethicist, political theorist and an early economist. Similarly, in PPS we deal with political theory, moral philosophy, history, science and much more.

A challenge is the amount of literature that needs to be read and the type of texts one has to cope with. Especially at the beginning, philosophical jargon can appear to you as huge burden. While Plato is comparably easy to read, Hannah Arendt or others may actually appear Greek to you.

Just remember: the first step is always the hardest. Do not get discouraged because you are struggling to understand a text. This is totally normal. Besides, you will soon come to understand that your comprehension will increase the more experienced you get in dealing with technical philosophical texts. And you are, of course, not left alone with your struggles.

What do you think about the atmosphere in class?

There are many activities set up within the PPS community, but also a lot is organized by the faculty. This is a great way to get to know new people and to form new bonds. The students are very open-minded and supportive. I cannot remember this kind of common support from my high school experience.

The same is applicable to the teachers. Whenever you need support, you can always contact them, and they will most likely be glad to help you out. Most of my professors are very informal and know your name which is probably a by-product of the small classrooms.

In my study, we are approximately 40 students. Sometimes, we have stimulating or clarifying debates in class which would not be possible in a lecture hall of 1000+ students. I would say that the small-scale educational approach is a positive-sum-game for everyone involved.

Are you involved with the study association of your programme?

I am part of the study association for political science. There are numerous interesting study associations at Radboud. I would recommend you to be open-minded about your choice as there might be several associations that fit your profile. Considering associations outside the scope of your studies allows you to interact with students from other fields, to broaden your horizon and see beyond the borders of your programme. For instance, I was very interested in the associations from political science, economics and law. Study associations organize diverse events such as guest lectures, field trips, debates and much more. It is definitely to your advantage to get involved!

How were you in touch with Radboud University before you started your studies here? And how did you value this contact with Radboud University?

I first got in touch with a student from the faculty. She explained what it is like to be a student at Radboud, but she could not really tell me about my study programme. 
By the time I applied, there wasn´t a first- or second-year student to tell me about their experience. Since it was the first year of PPS, there were a couple of issues that were unclear to me. The website was still under construction, the curriculum and course descriptions were not published yet and there was no place I could find answers to my questions.
As a consequence, I decided to contact the programme coordinator to get more clarity. Arjen was very supportive and kept me up-to-date with all relevant developments about the programme. He was able to answer all the questions I had which was very important for me in making my decision.

What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?

Choose what is interesting to you. I know people who start yawning when I say “political philosophy”. These people are clearly not the right fit for PPS. I think it is more important that you find something that fits your profile, rather than having a degree as a job-ticket. Do not think about what you believe will look good for someone else, think about what looks good in your own eyes.
Choosing a study programme is not an easy choice and it is a decision that may have a significant influence on your life. There are many variables involved and I know how hard it is, so I cannot provide a simple formula. However, I would say that there are many advantages in choosing something that you are inherently curious about.

Another (self-evident) piece of advice is that being informed beforehand can save you a lot of time. Try to gather as much information as possible and base your decision on all the input you have received. Talk to students, go to an open day, be a student for a day to get a clear impression of what you are signing up for.

What is the moral here? Reflect on yourself and get informed!

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Country of previous education

Germany

Luisa Koch was a Bachelor's student Philosophy, Politics and Society at Radboud University.

Why did you decide to study in the Netherlands? And why did you choose Radboud University?

I decided to study in the Netherlands, specifically at Radboud, because of the unique programme it offers that fits and combines my personal interests perfectly.

How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university assist you with this transition?

As I had a two year gap after graduating high school, the transition was quite easy. 
The university helped me by being available all the time if I had any problem or question.

What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?

I like that PPS combines different fields of interest, and that I can basically design the programme in the second and third year according to my interests. I also really enjoy the international environment of our programme. One thing that was important to me when choosing PPS was that it is not as theoretical as the "normal" philosophy programme but more issue oriented.

The programme has challenged me because of the different backgrounds my fellow students and I have regarding philosophy, but at the same time, it is very helpful in developing my own level and skills.

What do you think about the atmosphere in class?

I think that the atmosphere in class is great. Everybody is very supportive and open-minded. It is also very nice that most of our teachers are very young as that helps with relating and understanding each others point of views better.

What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?

I definitely plan on doing my Master's as well, but I'm not yet sure what direction I want to take as I can still imagine myself working in different fields.

Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?

I am a member of our study association and really enjoy all the fun events they plan.

What do you like about Nijmegen?

I like that Nijmegen is a small city with everything a student needs; where it is easier to feel at home than in a huge city because it feels more cozy. I also enjoy that it is possible to go everywhere by bike in basically no time and that there are many beautiful parks.

How were you in touch with Radboud University before you started your studies here? And how did you value this contact with Radboud University?

Because of the distance to my hometown, I only used the chat and social media to get in touch with Radboud. I really liked the presence on social media because, although I was quite far away, it made me feel like I was really able to get to know the university beforehand.

What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?

I would suggest that they really think about all the different interests they have and see if there is one programme that can combine all of them, like PPS does for me. If it wasn't for PPS I would probably study Sociology, History or an ancient language like Latin but I am sure I would not have been as happy with any of these programmes because, although I like each programme for its individual qualities, each of them only represents a small part of my interests.

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Joris tells us about the bachelor Philosophy, Politics & Society at the Radboud University. Why did he choose PPS? What is his opinion on the programme? Why study in Nijmegen? Joris tells us all about it.

Joris tells us about the bachelor Philosophy, Politics & Society at the Radboud University. Why did he choose PPS? What is his opinion on the programme? Why study in Nijmegen? Joris tells us all about it.

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Why did Paula choose to study Philosophy, Politics & Society?

Paula tells us about the bachelor Philosophy, Politics & Society at the Radboud University. Why did she choose PPS? What is her opinion on the programme? Why study in Nijmegen? Paula tells us all about it.

Programme

Philosophy, Politics and Society

Why did you choose Radboud University?

I knew I needed something that truly interested me, and I found exactly that in the Philosophy, Politics and Society (PPS) programme. It stood out as something unique to Radboud, and I was so confident in my choice that I enrolled without ever visiting the campus. My first day in Nijmegen was also my first day at the PPS orientation week - an experience I’ll never forget.

How is university different from high school?

I didn’t come straight from high school, but from a Dutch HBO programme. I was already used to working independently, but university takes that even further. If you enjoy thinking critically and managing your own learning, it’s a great environment.

What do you like about the PPS programme, and how it has challenged you?

What I love most about PPS is how well it matches my interests. The programme constantly engages with current affairs, and from the second year onward, I’ve had the freedom to tailor my studies to what I care about—whether that’s the situation in the Middle East or social issues like race and gender. What sets PPS apart is the philosophical lens it applies to these topics, which makes the learning experience both deep and dynamic.

The biggest challenge? It changes how you see the world. You become more aware and informed, which can be tough—but also incredibly rewarding if you're curious and want to engage deeply with society.

What do you think about the atmosphere on campus?

Radboud has a lively and welcoming campus with lots of opportunities to connect—whether with friends, fellow students, or faculty. My favorite spots in the Erasmus building are the study room on the 12th floor and the cozy coffee corner on the 15th. The latter is especially great for a quick lunch or even a spontaneous chat with lecturers, it’s a place where the academic and social worlds naturally overlap.

What are your plans after your Bachelor’s?

After finishing PPS, I’m planning a gap year to take a break and explore internships in journalism or related fields. Then, I hope to return to Radboud for a Research Master’s in Philosophy.

What do you like about Nijmegen?

I truly fell in love with the city. It’s full of life and student culture, with plenty to explore. Its size is ideal—not too big, but with a vibrant student community that really shapes the city’s culture. The Waal is the perfect hangout in summer, and events like the 4Daagse really bring the city to life.

What advice would you give future students?

Study something you genuinely enjoy. If it excites you, everything else becomes easier. And don’t be afraid to try things—even if it’s not the right fit, you’ll learn more about yourself along the way.