Master'sEthics and Political Philosophy
In this English-taught Master’s specialisation of the Philosophy Research Master’s programme you will study moral conflicts and ethical issues in contemporary Western culture and how politics is a way of coping with these dilemmas.
Something for you?
- An ethical specialisation within philosophy is unique in the Netherlands and internationally it occupies a special position amidst the standard approaches of philosophical ethics.
- This specialisation strongly focuses on fundamental concepts regarding freedom, politics, power, justice, conflict and struggle.
- Our staff represents different philosophical currents, including analytic and continental approaches.
- All research master students are assisted by a personal supervisor.
- This Research master’s specialisation is part of a broader Research Master’s programme.
- 60 EC's of the courses are tailored to academic research.
- Our programme emphasises the acquiring of research skills for an academic career (PhD) or for professions with large social and political responsibilities.
- The programme offers a lively, international environment.
- This programme scores above average compared to the national average (Source: Keuzegids Masters 2024)
Admission requirements
Do you want to know if you can be admitted? Read more about the admission requirements of this programme.
Admission & ApplicationApply now
If you have determined that you can be admitted with your previous education, you can apply via Studielink.
Apply nowFactsheet
- Main language
- English
- Study duration
- 2 years (120 EC)
- Start
- February, September
- Number of students
- 14
- Programme format
- Full time
- Degree
- Master of Arts, specialisation of Research Master's in Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
- CROHO code
- 60128
- Accreditation
- NVAO
What will you learn
During your studies you will unravel the ethical presuppositions that underlie contemporary socio-cultural debates. How fundamental concepts such as freedom, power, justice, and so on are judged and how words and phrases are being used in political debates, has an essential impact on the outcome of a debate. As a social and political philosopher you’ll be geared towards pinpointing where these—often unconscious—assumptions are at work. This will enable you to make people aware of them.
Key authors for this specialisation are: Aristotle, Arendt, Foucault, Hobbes, Kant, Machiavelli, Marx, Rawls, Schmitt, Spinoza, Žižek, Heidegger, Gadamer, Levinas, Habermas and Taylor.
Study ProgrammeFuture career opportunities
This programme is designed for students who wish to acquire the skills needed for a career in research, either in academia or elsewhere. The training you receive in conducting academic philosophical research will give you a head start in a search for a PhD position, but your analytical, conceptual and investigative skills also open up a wider range of career opportunities.
In recent years around 40% of graduates have chosen to continue in academia by pursuing a PhD position (with a success rate of nearly 90%). Many others have chosen to apply their skills elsewhere, in government, journalism, teaching, think tanks, NGOs, IT, consultancy and as strategists, researchers, or policy makers in a host of other fields.
Your network of Research Master’s alumni and the reputation of the philosophy departments at Radboud University will definitely serve you well, whichever career path you choose.
Here, you can read more about the experiences of former student Sümer Şen.
Career prospectsQuestions about this programme?
Do you have a question about this programme? We're happy to help. Please contact us, ask a student or check out our information activities.
ContactTuitions & grants
If you are going to follow this Master's programme, you will pay an annual tuition fee. There are different tuition rates. The amount depends on your personal situation.
Tuition & Grants