Philosophy MA

Title

Philosophy MA

Degree

Philosopher

Type

Degree program

Level

Master

Accreditation number

OH-FNYF/165-3/2019

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Institute

Institute of Philosophy

Department

Department of General Philosophy
Department of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
Department of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
Department of Logic

Language

English

Duration

4 semesters (2 years)

ECTS credits

120

Minimum number of students

Maximum number of students

Description

The MA programme in Philosophy offered by the Institute of Philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities is a two-year, full-time programme [IB1] comprising four semesters. Students need to have some philosophical background – in practice, this means students are expected to have completed a minimum of 30 ECTS [DMA2] credits as part of their BA studies. Students will have the opportunity to design their own study plan and research programme under the supervision of a director of their studies (in most cases, different from their thesis supervisor). This ensures flexibility and a personalised study trajectory, but also sufficient guidance so that students acquire both extensive and in-depth knowledge in the major fields of philosophy. At the same time students are required to engage in research either in some areas of history of philosophy, or in some field of systematic philosophy. These studies lead up to the MA thesis project.

The programme enables students to carry out a research program in philosophy and prepares them for doctoral studies.

Our faculty have significant international experience. They have studied and/or taught and pursued research in highly acclaimed universities and research centres in Europe and North America. The different departments of the Institute of Philosophy have academic co-operations and exchange programmes with various European universities and research centres. It has Erasmus+ partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, Tel Aviv, and with several major European Universities.

Specializations

Instead of tracks of specialisations the programme in philosophy is organised in a flexible way so that students can plan their studies under the guidance of the director of studies. Students are required to choose a focal point in their study and research: either history of philosophy or systematic philosophy. They have to earn 48 ECTS credits [DMA3] in subjects belonging to this focal area.

Strength of program

Our Institute stands out among centres for the study of philosophy internationally for its balance between the history of philosophy and the systematic aspects of the discipline. This way our students are not only well versed in the details of the development of the Western philosophical traditions but also learn to appreciate the connections between the discussions and issues philosophical disciplines currently focus, on the one hand, and the historical motivations of these discussions, on the other. Our students gain insight into how issues at the forefront of today’s philosophical research were articulated and tackled through the ages.

Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.

Career opportunities

This program is recommended to applicants who would like to deepen their knowledge in philosophy and intend to pursue an academic career or intend to work as experts in the humanities, with an emphasis on philosophy, or to be potentially employed outside of academia in publishing houses, cultural centres, international companies, civil service or non-governmental organizations, among other places.

Tuition fee/semester

2,500 EUR

Application fee

The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026; The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026-31/05/2026

Other costs

100 EUR (Entrance exam fee)

Tuition fee/semester

2,500 EUR

Application fee

Other costs

100 EUR (Entrance exam fee)

Offered for the next academic year

YES

Start program

01, Sep, 2026

Deadline for applications - September intake

31, May, 2026

Is there a February intake

Admission requirements

Entry requirements

There are two ways applicants can fulfil entry requirements, (i) or (ii):

(i) Full credit acknowledgment of degree. The applicant holds a university bachelor’s degree in Liberals Arts.
(ii) Itemized credit fulfilment. Applicants holding another university bachelor’s degree are eligible to enter the program if they can show at least 30 credits (or equivalent) of course work spanning the following areas: philosophy, aesthetics and ethics.

For the itemized-credit option (ii), a transcript from the applicant’s bachelor's degree as well as course descriptions for the 30 credits will be requested.

The educational and outcome requirements are defined by the Ministry of Human Capacities, Regulation No. 18/2016. (VIII. 5.). Details of the application and admission process are defined by the Organisational and Operational Regulations of ELTE.

Language requirements

The language of instruction for the entire program is English.
Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a very good level of English-language skills at C1 level CEFR.

Following minimum results are preferred:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0
TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 95-120
Duolingo: 130

Documents to submit with application

Document	Comment
Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate)	Notarized copy only on request.
Bachelor-level degree	An official copy of your completed Bachelor degree
Transcript of records
CV
Motivation letter	A maximum of 500 words
Essay	5-15 pages total. This can be: an essay or parts thereof; alternatively, a thesis chapter or parts thereof. Please submit a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 pages (single spaced).
Research work plan
Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)	Scanned, in colour all personal details and expiry date must be shown. Passport must be valid.
Copy of application fee payment receipt
Copy of the Entrance exam fee payment receipt
Language certificate	Official test result or certificate must be provided; see program specific proficiency requirements
Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English

Optional documents for admissions

Curriculum Vitae in English

In MS Word format with one low resolution photo

Letter of Reference

Also called "Letter of recommendation." From a former instructor and/or employer. A maximum 2 letters of recommendation can be submitted.

Application procedure

Application deadlines

The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.

Period 1 (with Early Bird discount): 01/10-30/11/2025 23:59 (CET)
Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/2026 23:59 (CET)
Period 3: 01/04-31/05/2026 23:59 (CET)

The application procedure includes 3 periods in order to give the applicants the freedom to submit their application when it’s most suitable for them. The applicants of each period have the same chance to get admittance for the programme. However, please note, that the Faculty of Humanities ELTE reserves the right to cancel the entrance periods in case the number of the admitted applicants reaches the limit during the previous entrance periods.

Procedure of the application

The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.

Applications will only be processed if the application fee (non-refundable) has been paid on the University’s online payment platform.

Before making the payment please visit the Faculty’s website (go to section Application and Entrance Exam fees) for detailed guidance on how to use the payment platform.

Payment platform: https://epay.elte.hu/

Entrance examination and selection process

When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. Please, check your messages in the application system, and the e-mail address that is linked to the account regularly. The applications are examined by the Admission Board no later than after each application period and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system after the decision is official. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system within a few days.

Procedure of the entrance examination

The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English to pass the entrance exam. The format of the entrance exam is an online interview. Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.

Program leader

István BODNÁR
Professor

Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-Mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: Múzeum krt. 4,1088 Budapest