Philosophy
Are you passionate about logical thinking and questioning the nature of life, the universe, and human existence? A Master’s degree in Philosophy in China offers you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge, broaden your worldview, and sharpen both academic and practical analytical skills.
Program Introduction
Philosophy is a discipline that explores fundamental issues such as the origin of the world, the meaning of life, and methods of cognition. This master's program emphasizes interdisciplinary integration between humanities and sciences, and balances theory with practice. It aims to cultivate high-level talents capable of conducting interdisciplinary research in areas such as philosophy of science and technology, ethics, religion, and culture.
Training Objectives
This program aims to cultivate professionals with a solid foundation in philosophy of science and technology and humanistic literacy, capable of conducting independent research. Graduates will be prepared for careers in philosophy, science and technology ethics, science and technology policy, cultural communication, and more.
Study Mode and Duration
The standard duration of the program is 3 years. Students must complete the required credits and the master's thesis within the stipulated time. Early graduation may be permitted after 2 years, while the maximum extension is up to 5 years.
Curriculum Structure
Course Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
Semester Offered |
Assessment |
Remarks |
General Courses |
20001M |
Theory and Practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics |
2 |
Fall/Spring |
Exam |
Required |
General Courses |
20002M |
Introduction to Dialectics of Nature |
1 |
Fall/Spring |
Exam |
Required for STEM |
General Courses |
20003M |
Marxism and Social Science Methodology |
1 |
Fall/Spring |
Exam |
Required for Humanities |
General Courses |
20004M |
Graduate English |
2 |
Fall/Spring |
Exam |
Required |
General Courses |
20005M |
Humanistic Literacy Course |
1 |
Fall/Spring |
Evaluation |
Required |
Core Courses |
A2015002M |
Introduction to Marxist Philosophy |
2 |
Fall |
Exam |
Required |
Core Courses |
A2015004M |
Introduction to Philosophy of Science and Technology |
2 |
Fall |
Exam |
Required |
Major Courses (Sample) |
A2016006M |
Studies in Modern Chinese Philosophy |
3 |
Fall |
Exam |
Specialization |
Major Courses |
A2016015M |
Topics in Ethics |
2 |
Spring |
Exam |
Specialization |
Electives |
A2016040M |
Topics in German Classical Philosophy |
2 |
Fall |
Evaluation |
Elective |
Required Modules |
— |
Academic Activities, Midterm Review, Thesis Proposal, etc. |
— |
— |
Evaluation |
Required |
Academic and Research
- Participate in national research projects (e.g., National Social Science Fund)
- Contribute to white papers (e.g., philosophical argumentation in “AI Ethics Governance White Paper”)
- Use tools like CiteSpace for literature analysis
Educational Practice
- Teaching assistant for undergraduate courses (e.g., Logic, Ethics)
- Design general education lectures
- Policy and Think Tanks
- Member of ethics review committees (e.g., for healthcare)
- Offer philosophical advice on local cultural policies
- Field research in applied ethics; draft policy reports
Corporate and Cultural Institutions
- Provide ESG ethics consulting for companies
- Edit philosophy books; plan media philosophy columns
Science and Technology Ethics (Emerging Field)
- Work as AI ethics researcher
- Design philosophical frameworks for blockchain projects
- Draft ethical risk assessment standards
Training Model
-
Mentor-guided program with personalized training plans
-
Emphasis on academic innovation, social responsibility, and practical skills
-
Monitoring, evaluation, and standardized academic management throughout all stages
-
Strict thesis review and defense standards to ensure originality and quality
Research Directions
No. |
Research Area |
1 |
Marxist Philosophy |
2 |
Philosophy of Science and Technology |
3 |
Chinese Philosophy |
4 |
Foreign Philosophy |
5 |
Religious Studies |
Degree Awarding
The Master of Philosophy degree (MA or M.Phil.) is awarded upon completion of coursework, research, and thesis defense. Final approval is granted by the Degree Evaluation Committee. This is an academic (non-professional) degree.
Career Development
Academic Research:
-
Pursue a PhD; teach or conduct research in universities and institutes
Public Sector:
-
Civil servant, policy researcher, or government analyst (e.g., for publicity departments or party schools)
Media and Culture:
- Editor for academic or cultural publications
- Columnist or media program planner
Corporate Consulting:
- Strategic or ethical consultant
- Human resources development with philosophical insight
Education and Training:
- High school teacher (Politics, Literature, Ethics; with certification)
- Critical thinking and soft skills trainer
Emerging Fields:
- Ethics in AI, biotechnology, or blockchain
- Work in NGOs or international humanities organizations
Recommendations:
- Pursue a PhD for academia
- Enter consulting, media, or public policy for practical careers
- Those strong in logic and analysis may thrive in tech-ethics or management fields
Core strengths: critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication.
Related Majors
- Ethics (including Tech Ethics and Bioethics)
- Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
- Religious Studies
- Logic (Philosophical and Mathematical)
- Philosophy of Science and Technology
- History of Chinese Philosophy
- History of Western Philosophy
- Marxist Philosophy
- Comparative Philosophy
Leading Universities in China for Philosophy
- Peking University
- Tsinghua University
- Fudan University
- Renmin University of China
- Wuhan University
- Nanjing University
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Beijing Normal University
- Zhejiang University
- East China Normal University
The above provides an overview of the Master’s program in Philosophy. Visit the “Major Search” section to explore more details about study programs in China!
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