Master's degree programme in Philosophy - Introduction
Graduate studies in Philosophy at Aarhus University
At Aarhus University you can pursue graduate studies in philosophy at an advanced level in a Master’s Programme taught by professors with doctoral degrees from international top-ranking universities such as Cambridge, St. Andrews, Pittsburgh, Oxford, Tübingen and, of course, Aarhus.
As graduate students in philosophy at Aarhus University, you will become part of a lively and open-minded research environment, which values collaboration across different traditions in philosophy as well as different scientific disciplines, and has a long-standing history of interaction with business- and other non-academic organisations.
Tracks
The two-year Master's Programme in philosophy is divided into three tracks, which cover the three main areas of expertise in philosophy at Aarhus University, and provide students with an opportunity to specialise within their field of interest:
- Epistemology, metaphysics and cognition
- Idealism and postidealism
- Ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of practice
While the track in epistemology, metaphysics and cognition is taught entirely in English, the other tracks will only partially be offered in English. Admission to the Master's Program requires a bachelor's degree in philosophy or a comparable subject.
Working in a research-like way
The tracks of the Master's Programme are organised around core courses and research laboratories. In each of the first two semesters, you follow both the cores course and the laboratories within the track, and select one further core course from one of the other tracks to secure a broader perspective on work in philosophy.
The core courses provide focused upper-level introductions to current debates within the field, thus laying the foundation necessary to engage with these debates on a high level. In the laboratories you will work in a research-like way together with teachers and doctoral students on specific topics within the track, with the aim of making innovative contributions to the topics in question.
Theory and practice
In the third semester you can choose between practising philosophy in a social or business context outside the university, studying abroad, or acquiring a profile matching various labour market segments like communication, administration, teaching, consultancy, and more.
The final element of the Master's degree programme is the Master's thesis, which takes up the fourth semester of the programme. During the work on the thesis, you will go back to participating in the laboratory of your track and make a presentation of your thesis.