Philosophy of Humanity and Culture

Program and courses

Gain a deep understanding of classic texts from the history of modern, postmodern and contemporary philosophy, with which you can reflect on fundamental questions related to art, culture and humanity. The track covers the most important 20th-century and contemporary movements in European philosophy, such as existentialism, postcolonialism, poststructuralism, aesthetics, phenomenology and media philosophy.

• Address essential philosophical questions such as:

  'What is the meaning of art and culture for human experience?'
  'How can art help us deal with loss, trauma, and war?’
  'To what extent do 'gender' and 'race' play a role in the formation of identities?' 
  'What is the relationship between philosophy and psychoanalysis?'
  'What is the relationship between truth and democracy?'
  'What impact do social media have on the public debate in post-truth times?'

• Profit from small-scale working methods with a great deal of interaction, which enables in-depth analysis and discussion with fellow students and lecturers. 
• This program can also be followed part-time.

Philosophy of Humanity and Culture is a track of the MA Philosophy. You always choose one of the tracks.

Typical courses are:

• Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment
• Identity, Race and Gender
• Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious
• Trauma and Art

More on the program and courses

Career prospects

After graduation you are MA in Philosophy, with a specialization in Philosophy of Humanity and Culture. You will be  a creative and critical thinker with good historical knowledge and excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills. You can use this knowledge and these skills to shed new light on fundamental questions about humanity, identity, culture and society.

The knowledge, insights and skills you acquire in this track, offer a solid foundation for a career in the cultural sector, research, education, journalism, policymaking and counselling.

Examples of positions in which our alumni are employed:

• Editor at Kunstlicht, academic journal for art, visual culture, and architecture
• Managing Director at KTAprodukties
• Policy Officer Social Domain at a Dutch Municipality
• Senior Researcher at ETZ hospital

Alumni facts

• Average number of months between graduation and first job: 4.6
• 86% would choose this program at Tilburg University again

Source: National Alumni Survey 2021 | n = 7 (Master Philosophy, all tracks)

More on your career prospects

Application and admission

This program starts:

End of August and End of January (both the Master’s and the Pre-Master’s program)

Best preparatory programs:

Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy or - combined with the pre-Master - a Bachelor’s degree in another relevant field.

Pre-Master's program:

Open to both Research University students and students of a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO).

Tuition fees and scholarships

International students find all information about tuition fees and scholarships here.

Interested in this master's program?

Check your eligibility

Related Master’s programs

• Philosophy of Contemporary Challenges
• Philosophy of Data and Digital Society
• Philosophy of Mind and Psychology
• Art and Media Studies