Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy (MA)

Career prospects

Where do our graduates work?

Organisations today seek employees with both breadth and depth to their knowledge, and the analytical acumen to independently solve complex challenges.

This programme is an ideal training ground for individuals who aspire to a career in policy making, politics, governance, public administration, and social entrepreneurship, as well as in creative fields such as journalism, media and the arts. Graduates of this programme lead the way in opinion-forming and agenda-setting professions including politics and journalism.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Policy Officer at a ministry
• Copywriter at a media company
• Freelance editor
• PhD candidate at an foreign university
• 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
• PhD candidate at a university in Sweden

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.

Floris Schleicher

Graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) (MA Philosophy)

“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 (PPE) is a fitting contribution to my work as a teacher.”

Wide-oriented interdisciplinary master’s programme

“As the name seems to suggest PPE is a wide-oriented interdisciplinary master’s programme that touches on all aspects of the modern society and focusses on the knowledge and skills that are needed for a rigorous philosophical analysis of this society. By contributing to a better theoretical understanding of the modern society, PPE brings about better informed acts in practise. Hence, the knowledge and skills learned in the PPE 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. PPE contributed to my quality of writing as it learned me to write succinctly, precisely and accessibly about complex philosophical, political and economical ideas. To me it is clear that PPE 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 in Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy 2016-2020.

• 26 % Education
• 19 % Government and semi-government
• 15 % Consultancy
• 15 % Business services
• 13 % Research
• 6 % Financial organisations
• 6 % Media and journalism

Career preparation

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