University of Tromsø

What you'll study

The Master's programme builds on undergraduate training to give advanced knowledge of central areas of philosophy and to develop independent research skills. You follow a combination of compulsory and elective courses and complete a substantial master's thesis under faculty supervision.

• Core areas: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of language and logic.
• Specialist options: philosophy of science, environmental and Arctic ethics, bioethics, aesthetics, phenomenology and history of philosophy.
• Research training: courses in philosophical methods, argumentation, academic writing and research ethics are provided to prepare you for the thesis and for further research.
• Master's thesis: a supervised piece of independent research that constitutes a major part of the programme; students work closely with a supervisor and may collaborate with research groups across departments.
• Structure: the programme typically combines advanced seminars, lectures, and supervised research. Seminars emphasise close textual analysis, oral presentation and critical discussion, while coursework can include essays, project work and examinations.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor's degree in philosophy or a closely related discipline with satisfactory academic standing. Relevant backgrounds include philosophy, history, cognitive science, social sciences or natural sciences if prior coursework in philosophy is demonstrated.

• Academic transcript: proof of completed undergraduate studies with course descriptions where relevant to assess preparation for advanced work in philosophy.
• Language proficiency: non-native speakers of English will normally need to demonstrate English-language proficiency through an accepted test or equivalent documentation; Norwegian language skills are not usually required for the programme.
• Supporting documents: a statement of purpose outlining your research interests, and academic references are typically required to support your application.
• Additional considerations: applicants with strong academic potential but non-standard backgrounds may be considered if they can demonstrate adequate preparation for graduate-level philosophy.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with advanced analytical, argumentative and communicative skills that are valued across sectors. Many continue to doctoral research and academic careers; others apply their training in a range of professional contexts.

• Academic and research: progression to PhD programmes, research assistantships or positions in university teaching and scholarly publishing.
• Public sector and policy: roles in government, public administration and policy analysis where ethical assessment, conceptual clarity and argumentation are required.
• Industry and consultancy: ethics advisory positions, technology and AI ethics teams, communications, and consultancy that benefit from critical thinking and problem framing.
• Civil society and media: work with NGOs, think tanks, editorial roles and public engagement on social and environmental issues, including Arctic and environmental ethics.
• Education and outreach: secondary teaching (subject to national certification), adult education and museum or cultural organisations.

Why study at University of Tromsø

UiT The Arctic University of Norway offers a distinctive setting for philosophical study, combining strong expertise in traditional philosophical fields with interdisciplinary links to law, natural sciences and Arctic studies. The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies is known for small-group teaching and close supervision, which supports in-depth discussion and individual research development.

• Research environment: active research groups and staff working in philosophy of science, environmental and bioethics, history of philosophy and phenomenology provide diverse supervisory options.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: easy collaboration with departments in the humanities, social sciences and sciences, useful for students interested in applied ethics, technology or environmental questions.
• Location and perspective: Tromsø’s Arctic context enriches work on environmental ethics, indigenous issues and science policy, offering unique case material and regional networks for research and internships.
• Student experience: a compact campus community, seminar-focused teaching and opportunities for international exchange make for a supportive atmosphere for advanced study.