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Master
Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences (Philosophy)
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Application & admission

The Master’s Philosophy of the Humanities and Social Sciences is a combined programme with either a Master’s in the humanities or a Master’s in the social sciences. Therefore, you are required to apply to and receive a (conditional) offer for two Master’s programmes separately for the same academic year: the Master’s Philosophy of the Humanities and Social Sciences and a second Master's of your choice in the humanities or social sciences. The application deadline for each Master’s could be different. Please make sure to check the deadlines of both Master’s programmes separately and apply in time.

Application deadlines

Please check the deadlines below very carefully, because they are strict. Missing one of the deadlines means that your application cannot be processed. 

  • I have a Dutch nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
    8 May 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 4)
    15 May 2024, 23:59 CET

  • I have an EU/EEA-nationality

    If you wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
    23 February 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 4)
    1 March 2024, 23:59 CET
     

    If you do NOT wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
    8 May 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 4)
    15 May 2024, 23:59 CET

  • I have a non-EU/EEA nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
    23 February 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 4)
    1 March 2024, 23:59 CET

    If you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January, and register in Studielink by 8 January. Learn more at:

    Scholarships in the humanities

Application process

Please make sure to follow the steps of the application process carefully to ensure that your application can be processed.

  • 1. Check entry requirements

    The Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree from the UvA, or an equivalent degree from another university, in:

    • Philosophy, provided the student meets the entry requirements for education at Master’s level in the field of the social sciences or the humanities.
    • A Bachelor’s degree that provides access to education at Master’s level in the field of the social sciences or the humanities, which includes a (relevant) minor in Philosophy worth 30 ECTS and a Philosophy of Science module.

    You can also register with a university Bachelor’s degree other than the ones specified above. The Examinations Board will then look at the specifics of your Bachelor’s degree, your grade point averages and your Bachelor’s thesis, as well as your motivation. It is possible that the Examinations Board will set the admission requirement that you must first complete the pre-Master’s programme, provided you are eligible for this.

    Pre-Master's programme

    If you do not meet the entry requirements above, you may be eligible for admission after completing the pre-Master's programme Philosophy of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Please note that this pre-Master's programme is not intended for students with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO).

    Pre-master Philosophy of the Humanities and Social Sciences

    Financial assistance for students

    If you do the two-year Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme, you are entitled to a fifth year of financial assistance for students, provided you meet the general conditions for receiving financial assistance for students and you have done a three-year Bachelor’s degree.

    For more information, please see the Education Executive Agency (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, DUO) website and the tab ‘Een master gaan doen’ (information in Dutch only):

    DUO

    English language requirements

    New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully on the page below whether:

    • you already meet the English language requirements based on your prior education; or
    • you need to arrange to take an official English language test. If you have serious reasons to believe you should be exempted from taking an official English language test, you will need to file a strongly motivated, official exemption request at the Graduate School of Humanities’ Examinations Board. Please note that there is a strict deadline in place for such a request, which is one month prior to the Master's application deadline.
    Check the English language requirements
  • 2. Register in Studielink
  • 3. Pay the application fee (international students only)

    All students applying for a Master’s programme with an international degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL. 

    You do not have to pay the application fee:

    • If you have obtained or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO);
    • If you have the Dutch or Surinamese nationality;
    • If you have already applied and paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025;
    • If you have already applied and paid the application fee for a Master's programme at the Graduate School of Humanities for the academic year 2023-2024;
    • If you have started a UvA Master’s programme in 2021, 2022 or 2023;
    • If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) and/or have an official refugee status in the Netherlands (as stated on your residence permit).
  • 4. Submit your UvA application form

    After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

    Application documents

    Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

    • curriculum vitae;
    • proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
    • transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
    • diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
    • translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French).

    This programme does not require additional programme-specific documents.

    *Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 May (non-EEA students) or 1 August (EEA students).

After submitting your application

Once we have received your complete application, it will be evaluated by our Admissions Board. This programme offers rolling admissions, meaning you will receive an admission decision within 10 to 12 weeks. It is therefore advisable to complete your application well before the deadline.

If you are admitted to the programme, you will receive a letter of conditional acceptance. In order to proceed with your enrolment, you must accept this offer at your earliest convenience. Read more about the steps you need to take after (conditional) acceptance on the website of the Graduate School of Humanities: