Career prospects

Philosophers can be found in a surprisingly wide range of careers, from journalism and politics to banking and consulting. Those who go on to do a PhD in Philosophy can pursue numerous different roles that professional philosophers play in society. During the programme there is ample opportunity to prepare for your future career.

Academic careers

As a graduate of the Philosophy programme, you are well prepared to start working on a PhD project at universities in the Netherlands and abroad. Frequently, students work closely with the academic staff in developing grant applications to fund these positions, and in recent years, graduates have been exceptionally successful – 66% have secured full-time, funded PhD positions in philosophy. They hold positions at leading universities world wide, including:

Oxford University | University of Antwerp | University of Göteborg | Erasmus University Rotterdam | University of Tasmania | University of Cologne | University of Western Ontario | Wageningen University | 

    Towards the job market

    Philosophy graduates frequently report that their philosophical training gives them an edge in establishing themselves and advancing in the workplace, particularly in organisations where decision-making and communication calls for drawing careful conceptual distinctions, articulating compelling arguments, and analysing complex texts and situations. Graduates found positions at:

    Stichting Psychiatrie en Filosofie (Foundation for Psychiatry and Philosophy) | Consumentenbond (consumer advocacy organisation) | City of Amsterdam | De Groene Amsterdammer (news magazine) | NS (Dutch Railways) | ABN AMRO Bank

      Alumni on LinkedIn

      Career development

      Personalised guidance and workshops

      Your tutor and the Programme Coordinator will provide advice and guidance in developing your career plans. You will be coached personally, such as in developing applications for grants. Additionally, workshops on career development are a central part of the annual Autumn School for research Master’s students. In Utrecht, you will find many workshops on themes such as freelancing and entrepreneurship in the cultural sector.

      Career Services

      Career Services offers events, tests, coaching and training in and outside your Master's programme, related to professional self-analysis, career orientation and job application skills. You can find more information about career services on Career Services for Dutch students or Career Services for international students.

      Other career events

      • Your Perspective is a monthly career orientation meeting for students and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University. 
      • The Faculty of Humanities organises a Career Night Humanities with interesting partners who will illustrate the diversity in career opportunities for humanities graduates. 
      • Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. This Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair.