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Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven)

Bachelor of Arts
What could you come to have in common with Herman Van Rompuy, the former President of the European
Council? A bachelor's degree in philosophy from Leuven, in the heart of Europe! An ideal basis for further
studies in philosophy at Leuven or further afield, or a launching pad for an exciting professional career in
fields such as law, economics and medicine, the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (BA) programme will do
much more than introduce you to the highly sought-after skills of logic, critical thinking and close reading.
Structuring your own quest for truth, a BA in philosophy will help you to orient your thoughts about the world
that we are living in, and it will also teach you to use philosophical skills in analysing contemporary scientific
and societal debates. Come to Leuven and get to know yourself.
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Bachelor of Philosophy (180 ECTS)

Abridged Programme (64 ECTS)

Key information
Location
Education Leuven

Ects + duration
What is the Bachelor of Philosophy all about?
180 ECTS (3 years full-time)
The aim of the BA programme is to provide a thorough, broad and comprehensive historical and systematic 64 ECTS (abridged programme)
education in philosophy. At the same time, the programme seeks to provide students with research skills for successful
written and verbal expression in philosophy. Students also learn to use philosophical skills in analysing contemporary Educational level
societal debates. The BA thus prepares students for further studies in philosophy and many other fields as well as for a Academic Bachelor’s
variety of careers.
Academic calendar
The Institute of Philosophy offers a comprehensive range of BA, MA, Research Master and PhD degrees, all taught in 1st semester: end of September -> end
English. Viewed collectively, our undergraduate and post-graduate degrees aim to familiarise students with the history of of January (exams in January)
philosophy as well as with contemporary movements in analytic and continental philosophy so that they are able to
engage with the fundamental areas of philosophical research. The Institute of Philosophy is proud to offer its students a 2nd semester: half of February -> end
broad philosophical education and a wide range of courses and seminars, as well as personalised study support and of June (exams in June)
guidance. KU Leuven academic calendar

Advanced Placement Applying

Application deadline
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is a three-year programme (180 ECTS credits) but students with some university-level 1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
education may be eligible to apply for admission with advanced placement. Students with a BA degree in a field other than 1 June (for EEA citizens)
philosophy and no academic background in philosophy are recommended to apply to the one-year Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy abridged programme (64-65 ECTS credits). How to apply
www.hiw.kuleuven.be/en/apply
Structure
Tuition fee 2018-2019
€922.30 for EEA students
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy programme is a three-year programme of 180 ECTS credits divided into 3 stages. The
€3,500 for non-EEA students
student should earn an average of 60 ECTS credits per stage. The programme is structured around basic and historical
philosophy courses (the so-called “Core Courses”), seminars and electives. Information on tuition fee and waivers:
www.hiw.kuleuven.be/apply/tuitionfees
The Core Courses provide the student with the necessary knowledge of the history of philosophy and key
philosophical themes and concepts. Chat with our students
In the seminars, the student learns how to read and analyse texts closely, as well as give well-structured
presentations, and write philosophical papers. Student ambassadors
Electives, which also include non-philosophical courses, stimulate the student’s interests and encourage
interdisciplinarity. Open days
An important part of the programme is the Bachelor’s Paper with Seminar, a course in which the student learns to Meet us in Belgium
research and write a more extended piece of philosophical scholarship. Meet us abroad

Abridged programme (64-65 ECTS) Brochure

Download the brochure
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Abridged programme is a one-year programme of 64-65 ECTS credits structured Request the brochure
on the same principles as the regular BA programme but focusing particularly on the Core Courses, a limited number of
Seminars and the Bachelor’s Paper with Seminar. Faculty website
Visit the faculty's web page
International

Philosophy has been taught at KU Leuven since its founding in 1425. Throughout the centuries, the university has
remained an important and influential centre of philosophical thought, with a strong commitment to the international
dimension of education. In more recent times, the Institute of Philosophy, established in 1889, has continued this august
tradition and is now an internationally recognised centre of philosophical research and education.

The Institute of Philosophy is international in every sense of the word.

It offers a complete programme of philosophical studies in English, in addition to a complete programme in Dutch.
It has its roots in the eminent tradition of European continental philosophy. In recent years, however, it has embraced
other philosophical traditions ranging from Anglo-American thought to non-Western philosophy. The Institute is truly
committed to philosophical pluralism.
Members of its teaching staff come from, among others, the USA, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and
Ireland.
It attracts visiting scholars and students from all over the world. Some 70 different nationalities are represented.
It has Erasmus+ exchange agreements with more than 40 European universities, including universities in Amsterdam,
Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, London, Dublin, Lisbon, Madrid, Siena and Istanbul. Bachelor-level students have the
opportunity to study at a foreign partner university for one semester, in either the second or the third stage of the 180
ECTS BA programme.
With 5 research centres, some 40 full-time staff and more than 150 adjunct faculty members, post-docs and doctoral
students, it is among the largest research groups in philosophy on the continent.
It hosts several international conferences every year with widely varying themes and involving a mix of well-
established and up-and-coming philosophers from near and far.
It has one of the finest philosophical libraries in the world. The library contains more than 90,000 volumes and
maintains subscriptions to more than 300 journals. It is user-friendly, with open stacks, a liberal lending policy, extensive
electronic resources and an online catalogue.
In 2018 the Institute of Philosophy was ranked 31st in the world among philosophy programmes (QS World
University Rankings).

Application deadline for 2019-2020

1 March 2019 (for non-EEA citizens)

1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)
For the application procedure and the specific application requirements of the Institute of Philosophy, please
see www.hiw.kuleuven.be/en/apply.

Tuition fee

Like many European universities and many KU Leuven programmes, the Institute of Philosophy has different tuition fees
for EEA and non-EEA citizens (see this page, under ‘Key information). Under certain conditions, the Institute of Philosophy
offers partial tuition waivers to non-EEA citizens. See www.hiw.kuleuven.be/en/apply/tuitionfees for more information.

Profile

Is this the right programme for me?

Applicants for the BA programme should possess intellectual curiosity, a strong interest in questions of meaning, a
capacity for abstract and conceptual thinking as well as a critical capacity to examine one’s own presuppositions and
views.

Students holding a high school diploma that gives access to university-level education in their home country may
be admitted by the Board of Admissions upon consideration of their complete application file. Decisions on admission are
based on the candidate's letter of motivation and academic potential. Applicants are required to complete and submit the
Institute of Philosophy's reading and writing assignment as a part of their application file.
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is a three-year programme but students with some university-level education may
be eligible to apply for admission with advanced placement. Students with a BA degree in a field other than philosophy
and no academic background in philosophy are recommended to apply to the one-year Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
abridged programme. The Admissions Board of the Institute of Philosophy makes all decisions regarding equivalencies.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven)

Admission requirements Bachelor of Philosophy (Abridged Programme) (Leuven)

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
Graduates in philosophy go on to careers in many different sectors, including business, civil
service, politics, education, publishing, media, the socio-cultural sector, journalism, academia ...

Many employers seek candidates who are not only well grounded in a specific field, but are also able to handle the
diverse challenges arising in a fast-paced workplace. Graduates in philosophy are well positioned to think clearly and
respond effectively in the workplace.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.
The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact

Institute of Philosophy
Kardinaal Mercierplein 2
3000 Leuven, Belgium
tel. + 32 16 32 63 02
hiw.studiesinfo@kuleuven.be

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us, please complete the contact form on our website.

Visit the faculty's web page.

Objectives

At the end of the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy programme, the student should:

1. History of philosophy:
- Have a broad knowledge of the historical development of philosophy from antiquity through the middle ages and the
modern period to the present day
- Be able to see how both philosophical questions and solutions are historically influenced by cultural, social and
intellectual factors and developments
- Be able to see how the history of philosophy is present in contemporary systematic philosophy and to use the history of
philosophy to challenge common philosophical assumptions

2. Systematic philosophy:
- Have an insight into the major questions posed in the following constituent domains of philosophy: logic, ethics, social
and political philosophy, metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science
- Have an insight into the interrelations between these various fields of philosophy
- Have familiarity with at least one other important sub-domain of philosophy such as: aesthetics, applied ethics (ethics of
care, biomedical ethics, media ethics, philosophy of law, environmental philosophy, philosophy of technology, etc.), and
other philosophical traditions (Arabic, Jewish, Russian, and Chinese philosophy)
- Have an insight into what is unique about philosophy and into philosophy's relation to other approaches to reality such as
science or religion

3. Philosophical terminology:
- Know and be able to correctly employ fundamental philosophical concepts and terminology

4. Non-philosophical disciplines:
- Have familiarity with the contents and methods of at least one other academic discipline and be able to relate this to
philosophical questions

5. Philosophical traditions, methods and approaches:

- Be aware of the plurality of traditions, methods, and approaches in philosophy and that this plurality has been at the
heart of the philosophical endeavour from its beginnings
- Be able to differentiate between these various traditions, methods, and approaches

6. Philosophy and society:

- Have familiarity with and an insight into the relationship between philosophical questions on the one hand and general
societal and cultural phenomena and scientific developments on the other

7. Philosophical skills:
- Be able to read closely and critically a broad range of primary sources and secondary literature from various historical
and systematic domains of philosophy (in so far as possible in their original languages) and to correctly analyse and
accurately summarize these texts
- Possess such skills as abstract thinking, the ability to build up arguments and to reason logically
- Be able to reflect critically on philosophical theories and positions and to begin to develop a personal critical stance
towards them
- Be able to use philosophical skills in analysing contemporary societal debates; including identifying philosophical issues
in those debates and evaluating the standpoints taken

8. Research skills:
- Be able, under supervision, to formulate a philosophical question and to conduct research that will result in a paper of
limited scope or in an oral presentation
- Be able to locate and critically use secondary literature relevant to a topic and to make use of the basic philosophical
research tools and electronic and printed resources
 - Be able to make a proper bibliography and use a proper system of referencing
- Be able to properly distinguish between the student's own words and ideas and the words and ideas of others

9. Communication skills:
- Be able to discuss a philosophical issue in a proper academic style with student peers, including in an oral presentation
- Be able to communicate philosophical ideas in a written form to student peers

Career paths

Graduates in philosophy go on to careers in many different sectors, including:

- business
- civil service
- politics
- education
- publishing
- media
- the socio-cultural sector
- journalism
- academia
- ...

Many employers seek candidates who are not only well grounded in a specific field, but are also able to handle the diverse
challenges arising in a fast-paced workplace. Graduates in philosophy are well positioned to think clearly and respond
effectively in the workplace.

Direct:
Master of Philosophy (Leuven)

When allowed:
Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven)

Admission requirements

Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven)

Bachelor of Philosophy (Abridged Programme) (Leuven)

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