50業子

Philosophical research is work that requires intense and extensive training. When you pursue a career in academic philosophy the ideal place to acquire that training is our Research Master's in Philosophy.

The programme currently offers eight specialisations but starting from September 2023 there will be five, because some of the existing specialisations will merge.

Currently both the old and the new specialisations are listed below, because students aiming to enrol in February 2023 should still apply to one of the old specialisations, even though the labels will change in September 2023. Make sure to check whether the programme you're interested in is an old or a new programme.

Something for you?

• Specialise in continental approaches to Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology.
• We guarantee that abstract philosophical theory is constantly made tangible with concrete every-day examples and experiences.
• The programme offers a lively, international environment.
• This Research master’s specialisation is part of a broader Research Master’s programme.
• All research master students are assisted by a personal supervisor.
• 60 EC's of the courses are tailored to academic research. 
• You are willing to study French and/or German philosophers in their original language
• This programme scores above average compared to the national average  (Source: Keuzegids Masters 2024)

Career prospects:

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.

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. 

Possible specialisations:

• Philosophy of Religion: The specialisation in Philosophy of Religion explores both classical questions concerning religion, such as the problem of evil, the conceptualization of faith and religious practices, and the issues of religious pluralism and (in)tolerance.

• History of Philosophy and Science: There is an English-taught Master’s programme that is offered in Nijmegen that is called History of Philosophy and Science. This is a Master’s specialisation that focuses on the entire history of philosophy, from antiquity to modern times.

• Philosophy of Mind and Language: In this Philosophy Research master’s specialisation you will explore explicit connections to developments in cognitive neuroscience and linguistics and explore the richness of language and communication from a social and evolutionary perspective.

• Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology: You will study ancient fundamental questions about ’existence’, the relationship between language and truth, and the essence of reality and explore philosophical questions about the nature of man from the perspective of continental philosophy.

• Ethics 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.