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Decipher truth and reality

A play of question and answer. How do we deal with the free market? Am I complicit in climate change? Does the use of arguments ever really change a person’s mind?

You are curious by nature and interested in answers to fundamental questions such as these. The Bachelor's programme of Philosophy is a broad, classical programme in philosophy. The programme is bilingual and has an English and a Dutch track. 

You learn to think independently and critically about philosophy's fundamental questions and the relationship between philosophy, science, and society. Gain insight into historical and systematic philosophy, and understand classical philosophical skills such as argumentation, analysis and interpretation, and general skills enabling you to present thoughts clearly and convincingly.

This programme covers courses in practical philosophy, theoretical philosophy and the history of philosophy. In addition, there are courses aimed at acquiring scientific and philosophical skills. In the first year, you follow introductory courses; in the second year, in-depth courses and electives. Finally, in the third year, students are able to follow a minor, optional courses, and write a final bachelor's thesis.

Philosophy as second study programme

If Philosophy is your second study programme, you will be able to combine an academic bachelor with courses from the regular Philosophy programme. As a result, you connect your professional knowledge with philosophical skills and develop your analytical skills. You are eligible for exemptions (via the Examination Board), and upon completion of the programme, you will receive a full-fledged Philosophy diploma.

If you would prefer to follow this programme in Dutch, see Filosofie.

The start date of this programme is September 1st.

Facts and Figures

First year

In the first year, you will become familiar with the great philosophers, from Greek antiquity up to the present day. You will be introduced to practical philosophical disciplines such as ethics and social philosophy. You will take courses in theoretical philosophy, and develop competence in propositional logic and logical argumentation. And you will be diving into the field of epistemology, posing the question: What is knowledge?

Subjects

  • Bachelor Seminar: Philosophical Encounters I
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • English Language Test
  • Epistemology
  • Ethics
  • Medieval Philosophy
  • Argumentation: Theory and Praxis
  • Logic
  • Modern Philosophy
  • Continental Philosophy
  • Social Philosophy
  • Skills: Academic English

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Second year

In the second year, you will be immersed in the three main areas of philosophy: historical, practical, and theoretical philosophy. You will take part in two ‘text’ seminars, involving close-reading and analysis of a key philosophical work. In addition you will select two elective courses within these three main areas, e.g., an in-depth course on the history of philosophy, ethics, or the philosophy of science. This helps you to identify the area that holds the most interest to you to explore further in due course, providing the initial impetus for writing a thesis.

Subjects

  • Bachelor Seminar: Phil. Encounters II
  • History of Analytic Philosophy
  • Political Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Text Course I 
  • Issues in Contemporary Ethics
  • Theoretical Philosophy: Capita Selecta
  • History of Philosophy: Capita Selecta
  • Intercultural Philosophy and Postcolonial Theory
  • Metaphysics 
  • World Philosophies and the Construction of Traditions I
  • Text Course II

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Third year

The first semester you will be following a minor at another faculty, allowing you to broaden your understanding and to apply philosophy to other disciplines. During the the second semester you will again (as in the second year) be taking two elective courses in historical, practical , or theoretical philosophy. You will also receive training and tutoring in writing a thesis. Unique to the VU Amsterdam among Dutch universities, you are free to select the topic, philosophical problem, and supervisor for your thesis

Subjects

  • Bachelor Seminar: Philosophical Encounters III 
  • Thesis Bachelor Philosophy 
  • Issues in Contemporary Ethics
  • Theoretical Philosophy: Capita Selecta 
  • History of Philosophy: Capita Selecta
  • World Philosophies and the Construction of Traditions I

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

  • 1st year

    First year

    In the first year, you will become familiar with the great philosophers, from Greek antiquity up to the present day. You will be introduced to practical philosophical disciplines such as ethics and social philosophy. You will take courses in theoretical philosophy, and develop competence in propositional logic and logical argumentation. And you will be diving into the field of epistemology, posing the question: What is knowledge?

    Subjects

    • Bachelor Seminar: Philosophical Encounters I
    • Ancient Philosophy
    • English Language Test
    • Epistemology
    • Ethics
    • Medieval Philosophy
    • Argumentation: Theory and Praxis
    • Logic
    • Modern Philosophy
    • Continental Philosophy
    • Social Philosophy
    • Skills: Academic English

    You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

  • 2nd year

    Second year

    In the second year, you will be immersed in the three main areas of philosophy: historical, practical, and theoretical philosophy. You will take part in two ‘text’ seminars, involving close-reading and analysis of a key philosophical work. In addition you will select two elective courses within these three main areas, e.g., an in-depth course on the history of philosophy, ethics, or the philosophy of science. This helps you to identify the area that holds the most interest to you to explore further in due course, providing the initial impetus for writing a thesis.

    Subjects

    • Bachelor Seminar: Phil. Encounters II
    • History of Analytic Philosophy
    • Political Philosophy
    • Philosophy of Science
    • Text Course I 
    • Issues in Contemporary Ethics
    • Theoretical Philosophy: Capita Selecta
    • History of Philosophy: Capita Selecta
    • Intercultural Philosophy and Postcolonial Theory
    • Metaphysics 
    • World Philosophies and the Construction of Traditions I
    • Text Course II

    You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

  • 3rd year

    Third year

    The first semester you will be following a minor at another faculty, allowing you to broaden your understanding and to apply philosophy to other disciplines. During the the second semester you will again (as in the second year) be taking two elective courses in historical, practical , or theoretical philosophy. You will also receive training and tutoring in writing a thesis. Unique to the VU Amsterdam among Dutch universities, you are free to select the topic, philosophical problem, and supervisor for your thesis

    Subjects

    • Bachelor Seminar: Philosophical Encounters III 
    • Thesis Bachelor Philosophy 
    • Issues in Contemporary Ethics
    • Theoretical Philosophy: Capita Selecta 
    • History of Philosophy: Capita Selecta
    • World Philosophies and the Construction of Traditions I

    You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Change your future by studying for a Philosophy degree

Change your future by studying for a Philosophy degree

After the bachelor phase, you can specialise further by following a master’s programme. As a Philosophy graduate, you can work as an ethics advisor to a committee or board; a policy consultant for a hospital or government agency; a teacher at an educational institution; or a journalist or editor for print or online media, magazines, and television programmes.

Explore your future prospects
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