MA Philosophy 120 EC: Pre-master
Introduction
The pre-master’s programme is intended for students with a bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, in a subject belonging to one of the relevant non-philosophical disciplines, who do not fulfil the entry requirements regarding the knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of philosophy. Students cannot apply for admission to the pre-master Philosophy, only for one of the specialisations of the MA Philosophy 120 EC. Upon receiving the application the Board of Admission will decide whether you are eligible for admission. This decision depends largely on your academic background and skills. The pre-master programme is meant to provide a bridging programme for students who have applied for the MA Philosophy 120 EC, but who, according to the Board of Admissions, have deficiencies in the field of philosophy.
During the pre-master's you will gain the knowledge, understanding and philosophical skills needed for successful participation in the Master’s programme. Upon successful completion of the pre-master's programme students will be granted unconditional admission to the relevant specialisation of the MA Philosophy 120 EC.
Please be informed that a part of the MA programme will consists of components of the relevant non-philosophical discipline. This means that you will need to be admitted to a relevant non-philosophival Master's programme as well.
Applicants with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) are not eligible for admission to the MA or pre-master in Philosophy.
Duration pre-master's programme
Depending on your educational background, the pre-master’s programme will constitute a course load of 60 EC (1 year) or less. The requirements for the pre-master will consist of a series of courses from the BA programme in Philosophy. Students who already completed relevant philosophy courses during their bachelor's will be exempted from a part of the pre-master's programme.
The prescribed pre-master's programme must be completed within the nominal duration plus one semester (in case of a pre-master’s programme of 30 ECTS-credits or less) or within the nominal duration plus one study year (in case of a pre-master’s programme of more than 30 ECTS-credits).
Holders of an academic bachelor's degree from a research university or an equivalent diploma with no more than 15 credits of deficiencies, may be admitted to the MA programme directly. This means that you will need to complete the deficient pre-master's courses during your enrolment in the MA Philosophy. You cannot graduate without successfully having completed the required pre-master's courses.
Specialisations MA Philosophy 120 EC
Philosophy of Humanities
Philosophy of Law
Philosophy of Natural Sciences
Philosophy of Political Science
Philosophy of Psychology
The specialisations have the following requirements regarding the educational background:
for the specialisation Philosophy of Humanities, the relevant disciplines must be in the field of modern European languages and cultures, classics, (art)history, culture, or religious studies;
for the specialisation Philosophy of Law, the relevant disciplines must be in the field of law;
for the specialisation Philosophy of Political Science, the relevant disciplines must be in the field of (international) political science or public administration;
for the specialisation Philosophy of Natural Sciences, the relevant disciplines must be in one of the natural sciences;
for the specialisation Philosophy of Psychology, the relevant disciplines must be in the field of psychology.
Programme changes per 1 September 2020
As from the academic year 2020-2021 the following changes will be effective for the MA programme Philosophy 120 EC:
The specialisations Philosophy of Law and Philosophy of Political Science will be ended as they currently exist and will be replaced by the specialisation Philosophy of Law, Governance, and Politics.
The specialisations Philosophy of Natural Sciences and Philosophy of Psychology will be ended. Enrolment in these MA programmes is possible until February 2020.
The specialisation Philosophy in World Traditions will be added to the MA Philosophy 120 EC per September 2020. For the specialisation Philosophy in World Traditions, the relevant disciplines must be in the field of Asian studies or Middle Eastern studies.
In 2020-2021 the MA Philosophy 120 EC will consist of the following specialisations:
Philosophy of Humanities
Philosophy of Law, Governance, and Politics
Philosophy in World Traditions
Philosophy of Natural Sciences (programme will be ended; no new enrolments)
Philosophy of Psychology (programme will be ended; no new enrolments)
As from September 2020 the specialisations Philosophy of Natural Sciences and Philosophy of Psychology are only available for students who started their MA programme before 1 September 2020.
Structure pre-master's programme
The pre-master consists of a package of courses at BA level with a course load of 60 EC's. The choice of components of the pre-master depends on the chosen specialisation in the Master's programme in Philosophy 120 EC.
compulsory introductiory courses of 5 EC each (level 100-200)
optional course of 5 EC (level 100-200), if applicable
advanced seminar(s) at third-year BA level of 10 EC each (level 300-400)
Students can start a pre-master's programme in September and in February.
Tuition fee
Information on the tuition fee for a pre-master's is available on the student website.