Is doing research in philosophy for you?
Want to know if you are suited to this research master's programme? See the information below and elsewhere on this page to find out.
What does this programme involve?
The research seminars that constitute the core of the programme, and out of which each student has to select three or five (depending on your profile), cover a wide range of philosophical domains. Some relate to socially relevant topics (i.e. more applied philosophy) while others relate to more fundamental, purely philosophical domains. We offer the following research seminars, all of which are taught in English:
- Moral Psychology and Meta-Ethics
- Empirical Ethics
- Political Philosophy after Rawls: Equality, Justice and Diversity
- Bio-Ethics
- Social and Political Philosophy in the Enlightenment
- Philosophy and Ethics of Gender, Sexuality and Diversity
- Logic
- Philosophy of Biomedical and Social Sciences
- Philosophy of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Philosophy of Mind and Cognition
- Philosophical Anthropology
- Contemporary Continental Philosophy
- Religion and Secularisation
- History and Reception of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and Religion
- History of Early Modern Philosophy
- Kant and Post-Kantian Philosophy
- Aesthetics/Philosophy of Art
Next to this, each student has to take a seminar that trains in developing a philosophical research project and drawing up a funding application that can be filed with local, national or international funding institutions.
Why study at the VUB?
Studying at VUB gives you more than a diploma. You learn to view the world with an open mind and without prejudice. You sharpen your critical thinking, and you learn to express your opinion. You commit not just to study, but to participate in meaningful social projects that make the world a better place. In short, this is where you shape your identity. Who you are today and want to be tomorrow.
Spread the study load
Create your own studypath
Within the VUB, we want to maximize our commitment to personal development and give as many students as possible the opportunity to continue their studies and develop themselves. Depending on your personal situation, it may be more difficult to devote full time to your studies. For example, you combine your studies with a job, you do top-level sports, ...
At VUB you study at your own pace. With a flexible study pathway you make room for your personal situation (elite sports, dyslexia, disability, etc.). More information?
Study and examination flexibility
Reflex status
Do you have a physical disability, learning disability or chronic illness, or are you starting a business or finding it harder to study because of your personal situation? If so, you qualify for Reflex Status.
With this you can ask for a flexible approach to your studies and exams, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Elite sports and studying
Elite sports and study
Keen to combine your elite sporting career with a programme at VUB? It makes sense, as it strengthens your position in the jobs market after your sporting career ends.
Our Elite Sports & Study department helps you work out a personal study pathway and guides you through to the end.
Studying with a disability
Studying with a functional impairment
Do you have a disability (for example, a learning disability, chronic medical condition, psychiatric or sensory disability)? If so, you qualify for a flexible approach to your studies and exams through Reflex Status, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Find out more about Reflex Status
For extra support there are other student services to draw on at VUB. For example, a wheelchair-adapted room, study guidance and a personal study-pathway, mental healthcare, medical care, etc.
Study Guidance
Study Guidance
An experienced team of student psychologists, student counsellors and study-pathway supervisors are there to give you personal study advice, guidance and training. At every phase in your study career.
- Individual - Advice on your choice of programme, stress and anxiety training, help with exam planning, help for students with dyslexia...
- Group (workshops, courses) - Choosing a subject for your bachelor's or master's thesis, learning to present, dealing with stress and anxiety...
- Tools - An example of good weekly planning, tips and tricks for a good study method, a step plan to help you choose the right programme...
Combining your studies with a job
The Research Master in Philosophy is a daytime only programme. Therefore, there is no option to combine this study with a fulltime job.