Bachelor of Philosophy
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for EEA students | 01 May 2025 for non-EEA students
** non-EEA fee
Introduction
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Ever thought about what’s behind the subtle reasoning of 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 as a launch pad for an exciting professional career in related fields such as law, economics and medicine.
The Bachelor of Philosophy programme will do much more than introduce you to the highly sought-after skills of logic, critical thinking and close reading. Structuring your quest for truth, a Bachelor of 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.
The programme aims to provide a thorough, broad and comprehensive historical and systematic education in philosophy. At the same time, the programme seeks to provide students with the research skills required for successful written and verbal expression in philosophy. You’ll also learn to use philosophical skills in analysing contemporary societal debates.
The programme is structured with a system of majors and minors:
- The philosophy courses in the major (Truncus Communis) provide you with the necessary knowledge of systematic philosophy and its history and make you familiar with key philosophical topics and concepts. At the same time, you will learn how to read and analyse texts closely, to give well-structured presentations and to write a clear and cogent philosophical text.
- For the Minor, students can choose one of the following three options:
- Liberal Arts
- Theology and Religious Studies
- Educational Studies
Curriculum
Course Outline: Unique Combinations with Other Disciplines
The Bachelor of Philosophy program is a three-year program of 180 ECTS credits divided into 3 stages, with an average of 60 ECTS credits per stage/per year. The program is structured with a system of majors (a package of 120 study credits in general philosophy courses and equal to all students) and minors (60 study credits to be chosen among three options: Liberal Arts, Theology and Religious Studies, and Educational Studies).
Major
The philosophy courses in the major (Truncus Communis) provide you with the necessary knowledge of systematic philosophy and its history and make you familiar with key philosophical topics and concepts. At the same time, you will learn how to read and analyze texts closely, to give well-structured presentations, and to write a clear and cogent philosophical text.
Minors
For the Minor, students can choose one of the following three options:
- Minor in Liberal Arts
- Minor in Educational Studies
- Minor in Theology and Religious Studies
Program - First Bachelor's
The study program may change slightly every year. The official study program that applies to the year in which you are studying can be consulted from 15 July onwards in KU Leuven's online program catalog, which is best viewed on a large screen.
- Logic
- Ethics
- Epistemology and Philosophy of Science
- Continental Philosophy
- Historical Introduction to Philosophy
- Research and Writing in Philosophy
- Minor
Ideal Students
Student Profile
You 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 presuppositions and views.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 180 ECTS
- Degree Type: Bachelor
- Specifications: Bachelor of Arts.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Program Leaders
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
With an academic bachelor's degree, you have a broad general knowledge, but you are not yet ready for the labor market. The bachelor's in Philosophy prepares you for a master's program in which you will further deepen your knowledge. After obtaining your master's degree, you will have a wealth of knowledge and competences and a wide range of career opportunities.