Two years – two specialisations

In the Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme, you will study philosophy for two years in conjunction with another field of study. There are two specialisations:

• philosophy of the social sciences
• philosophy of the humanities

In the first specialisation, you will learn to look philosophically at subjects such as sociology, political science, anthropology, economics or public administration. In the specialisation Philosophy of the Humanities, you will study philosophy in conjunction with disciplines such as history, literary studies, art history, etcetera.

You can enrol in the Master’s programme Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences if you have completed a Bachelor’s programme in one of the social sciences or the humanities, including a minor in Philosophy (such as the minor Praktische filosofie at the UvA) and a Philosophy of Science course. Students with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy may also enter the programme, as long as their degree enables them access to a Master’s in the social sciences or humanities. In most cases, this will mean that they must have done a minor or pre-Master’s programme.

Why study Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences at the UvA?

The Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme focuses on two academic fields: social sciences and humanities. Half of this programme consists of philosophical courses. You will complete the other half with (courses from) a Master’s programme in the social sciences or humanities. In the philosophical part of the programme, you will examine the principles of your academic field and the role of this academic field in society, as well as expanding your philosophical knowledge by taking courses in, for example, political philosophy, social philosophy or cultural philosophy.

Two degrees

Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences is a programme of the accredited Master’s degree Philosophy. After successfully completing this programme, you will receive a legally recognised Master’s degree in Philosophy and the title Master of Arts (MA).

In addition, you can use the non-philosophical part of the programme to obtain a second Master’s degree.