Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy (MA)

Career prospects

Where do our graduates work?

The one-year master’s programme in Philosophy prepares you for any career in which reasoning skills, high levels of abstraction and critical thinking are valued. Our graduates are currently employed in a wide range of professions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Successful completion of an MA also prepares you for PhD research and a career in academia.

Currently 100% of our students find employment at university-graduate level within one year of completing our one-year MA in Philosophy. We attribute this both to the high quality of the programme and the talent and ambition of our students.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• PhD candidate at universities in the Netherlands and abroad
• Editor at a scientific publishing house
• Journalist
• Communicator at an art venue
• Policy Officer at a ministry
• Copywriter at a media company
• Freelance editor
• Editor at a communications consultancy firm
• Consultant at an IT consultancy firm
• Editor at a company specialising in reviewing theses and dissertations
• Coordinator at an international human rights watch organisation

Teacher qualification

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master’s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master’s degree in the  relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply. Please visit the ICLON website to learn more about the different teacher training programmes at ICLON.

Floris Schleicher

Philosophy teacher

“As a teacher of philosophy I try to enthuse my students for philosophy so that they can critically think about today’s ever-changing world. The master’s programme Philosophy, Politics and Economics (3PE) is a fitting contribution to my work as a teacher.”

Broadly oriented interdisciplinary master’s programme

“As the name seems to suggest 3PE is a broadly oriented interdisciplinary master’s programme that touches on all aspects of modern society and focuses on the knowledge and skills that are needed for a rigorous philosophical analysis of this society. By contributing to a better theoretical understanding of modern society, 3PE brings about better informed acts in practice. Hence, the knowledge and skills learned in the 3PE master’s programme are a valuable asset for everyone. I aim to spread the knowledge and skills learned in the master’s programme to my students.”

Skills you need as a modern political philosopher

“Besides teaching I also write, for instance as a columnist for the Dutch website tussenwoord.nl. 3PE contributed to my quality of writing as it taught me to write succinctly, precisely and accessibly about complex philosophical, political and economical ideas. To me it is clear that 3PE teaches you the skills you need as a modern political philosopher. I would recommend the PPE master’s programme to all who want to teach or write about philosophy, politics or economics.”

Manuel Valente

Graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA Philosophy)

"As an economics graduate, this programme was excellent. I went to Leiden because I wanted to study important economic, political and moral questions of our times from a philosophical perspective. I could not be happier with this decision, it made me grow personally and intellectually in ways I had not expected."

Intellectual community

"The master was profound, innovative and taught me how to go further in my thinking. The professors at the Institute for Philosophy were very supportive, inspiring and close to their students. Studying Political Philosophy was fantastic, partly because of the intellectual community both professors and students work to preserve. As a city, Leiden is incredibly beautiful and a great place to study. It is particularly inclusive with international students and there I met students from every corner of the world and field of study. I am grateful this experience led me to do a Ph.D. in Philosophy in Belgium."

In which sector do students find jobs?

The graphs below are based on alumni data from the MA Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy 2020 through 2024.

• 33 % Government and semi-government
• 22 % Education
• 11 % Media and journalism
• 11 % Research
• 11 % Financial institutes
• 11 % Other

Career preparation

Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.