MA Philosophy in Practice

The Philosophy in Practice master’s programme at the University of Tartu is a full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Tartu, Estonia. The programme leads to a Master of Arts (MA) degree and has a nominal duration of 2 years. The teaching language is English.

Programme Overview

The Philosophy in Practice master’s programme focuses on philosophical questions that lie at the root of many practical challenges facing the contemporary world. Students develop the ability to formulate and defend arguments, analyse complex issues, communicate ideas critically and clearly, and apply philosophical thinking to practical problems.

The programme addresses questions such as how society should respond to climate change, how science denial should be considered in democratic decision-making, and how resources should be distributed between different generations as populations age. Through this approach, students gain skills that can be applied both to further academic study and to organisations dealing with contemporary social and practical challenges.

What Students Learn

The programme develops strong argumentation, analytical, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Students apply these skills to practical challenges and contemporary philosophical debates.

In addition to philosophy, the curriculum includes transdisciplinary courses designed to broaden students’ knowledge and complementary skills. These areas include:

• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• New media
• Green politics
• Social memory
• Artificial intelligence
• Other transdisciplinary subjects

The curriculum also contains a built-in internship, allowing students to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in practice.

Academic and Career Opportunities

The programme prepares graduates for both academic and non-academic career pathways. It provides a foundation for further doctoral-level study in philosophy or related fields while also developing transferable analytical, argumentative, communication, and problem-solving skills relevant to professional environments.

The Academic Career Pathway allows graduates to continue their education through doctoral studies in philosophy or a related field. The Non-Academic Career Pathway supports careers in areas such as policy, consulting, journalism, and other professional fields.

According to the programme information, on average 50% of graduates secure funded doctoral positions at institutions worldwide.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an undergraduate diploma, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent qualification. The qualification must be obtained by the end of July. Country-specific document requirements apply, and entry qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian.

Applicants must also meet the University of Tartu’s English language requirements. The specific English tests and exempt categories are determined by the university’s language requirements.

Motivation Letter

A motivation letter is mandatory and must be submitted with the online application. The final version must be uploaded before submitting the application because it cannot be edited after submission.

The motivation letter must:

• Be written in English
• Contain 400–650 words
• Be submitted by 15 March at the latest
• Explain how the applicant’s interests, previous education, and/or work experience make them suitable for the programme
• Explain how their future plans and goals relate to joining the programme
• Identify research topics of interest, including at least one potential master’s thesis topic and why it would be suitable

The motivation letter is evaluated on a 100-point scale. Applicants need a minimum score of 51 points to proceed to the interview. Evaluation is based on compatibility of interests and previous experience with the programme (50%), clarity and persuasiveness regarding the applicant’s broader plans and the usefulness of the programme (30%), and lucidity and self-expression (20%).

Admission Interview

Applicants who meet the requirements for the interview participate in an online interview conducted in English. Interviews are scheduled in cooperation with qualifying candidates in late March and early April after the motivation letters have been evaluated.

For the 2026 admission cycle, interviews are scheduled for 6–10 April.

The interview lasts approximately 30 minutes and includes:

1. Welcome and introduction
2. Motivational questions
3. A scenario task involving a philosophical problem or practical challenge
4. Discussion and analysis of a provided philosophical text
5. Closing questions from the candidate

The interview evaluates motivation and long-term goals (15%), problem-solving and decision-making (25%), text analysis and comprehension (40%), and verbal communication skills (20%). The maximum score is 100 points, with a minimum positive score of 51 points.

The University of Tartu may use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or BigBlueButton for the online interview. Candidates need a computer or smart device with a webcam, microphone, and earphones. A webcam is mandatory for visual identification. An internet connection of at least 1 Mb/s upload/download is recommended. Candidates must have an identity document available during the interview and ensure that no other people or background noise interfere with the interview.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the programme is €4,800 per year.

Citizens and permanent residence permit holders of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees. There are no tuition waivers for citizens from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland.

For this programme, two admitted students receive a 25% tuition fee reduction for their second semester, based on the weighted average grade of all results from the previous semester.

Applicants who are not citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland must pre-pay half of the first semester’s tuition fee after receiving an admission offer.

An additional €100 non-refundable application fee is required.

Study Location and Start Date

The programme is offered in Tartu, Estonia, at the University of Tartu. The studies for the stated admission cycle commence on 31 August.

The source currently states that the application period has ended.

Programme Benefits

The programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to philosophy, combining philosophical analysis with practical challenges and complementary areas of knowledge. Students can strengthen their ability to analyse complex problems, construct and evaluate arguments, communicate ideas effectively, and apply philosophical knowledge in academic and professional contexts.

The University of Tartu information also states that the university is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Arts and Humanities. The programme welcomes candidates from a wide range of academic backgrounds and provides opportunities to develop skills beyond traditional philosophy through transdisciplinary study and an integrated internship.