Can you rely on your five senses? What is justice? When can you use the word consequently? Philosophers analyse and comment and elaborate on questions of precisely this kind. In addition to abstract matters, philosophers address questions that have to do with daily life. For example with policy measures: To what extent do they take into account the individual’s right to freedom and equal treatment? And philosophers address questions like: What is unique about human life? Rational aspects or physical ones or a combination of the two? And what indeed is life? Posing philosophical questions of this kind often makes it possible to reveal people’s hidden assumptions. The Philosophy study programme at the UvA is the largest in the country. The Bachelor's programme puts a great deal of emphasis on reading and thinking, writing and discussing. You study the ideas and theories of philosophers and how others responded to them. You learn to think independently, analytically and logically from an open and critical perspective of curiosity. What is more, you acquire oral and written language skills. In the first year, you take subjects like the history of philosophy, cultural philosophy, ethics and human images, metaphysics and logics. Then you go on to study political and social philosophy, the philosophy of science, the philosophy of language and epistemology. You also have ample opportunity to take electives at other departments, do an internship, or do part of the study programme abroad. After you complete the Bachelor’s programme in Philosophy, you will graduate as a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Graduates of Philosophy possess broad cultural knowledge, a sense of history and well developed theoretical abilities. As a result they can find work in a wide range of positions; as such career prospects are diverse. Potential positions include include policy worker, manager and public relations officer.