Career prospects

The two-year Master’s programme in Philosophy at the University of Tartu opens doors in the job market and is good preparation for anyone who seeks to continue their studies in philosophy to a doctoral level. Our graduates have been highly valued and successful all over the world. Graduates from our older Estonian language programme have gone on to earn their PhDs in universities across the globe and now hold academic positions in China, Europe and the United States. An impressive proportion of the graduates from our newer English language programme (which replaced the Estonian programme in 2014) are currently doing their PhDs in universities across the globe.

For more details see info on placement record.

Although Friedrich Nietzsche, who was invited to become a professor at the University of Tartu in 1875 , once wrote that philosophy means “living voluntarily among ice and high mountains”, our graduates have never been confined to such extreme conditions. Many possibilities and  fields of activity are open to them. Besides being highly appreciated as academics, our graduates have successful careers in education, finance, business, journalism, politics and in numerous other areas.

What our graduates say about the programme

Julia, what did you like about the Master's studies?

"The program is very flexible and gives you the opportunity to shape your syllabus and take courses from other departments. It was very beneficial for me as I was specializing in political philosophy and needed to gain extra knowledge about the politics. The faculty members are extremely friendly and helpful, I always felt their support and encouragement throughout my studies."

How has the Master's programme been useful to you later on?

"The knowledge gained in Tartu definitely prepared me to pursue my Ph.D. degree in Political Science and I highly recommend Master’s program in philosophy."

Julia is currently a PhD student of political science at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, USA.

   Indrek, what did you like about the Master's studies? 

"Since the program allows doing individual work for nearly all of the credit points, I was able to do extensive research with the help of my supervisors on the topics that most interested me. For this reason, I felt little pressure throughout most of my studies. The stimulating discussions and email correspondence with my supervisors and other members of staff, weekly reading groups, the annual Frege Lectures as well as the annual undergraduate conference organized by MA students all helped create an atmosphere of study where it feels like one is pursuing the truth, as it were, and not a degree."

   How has the Master's programme been useful to you later on?

"My extensive individual work with my supervisors resulted in both a well-researched MA thesis on the basis of which I was able to produce a good writing sample and an original idea for a PhD proposal. The submission package that I was consequently able to produce got me enough letters of acceptance from different universities that I was able to choose where to continue my studies. I am now doing my PhD alongside some of the leading experts in my field of interest."

Indrek is currently a PhD student at the University of St. Andrews, UK.