Philosophy

The Stellenbosch Department of Philosophy is one of the foremost in Africa, offering programmes from undergraduate to PhD level. Our staff are all internationally recognised researchers with expertise in a wide range of fields, including moral philosophy, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and cognition, metaphysics, philosophy of language, African philosophy, phenomenology, political philosophy, feminist theory, critical legal theory and critical social theory. 

We also house the renowned Centre for Applied Ethics, with research units devoted to bioethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, social and political ethics, and AI ethics.

Contact us
[email protected] 
+27 21 8082418

Physical address
Room 667
Arts and Social Sciences Building
Corner of Ryneveld and Andringa streets
Stellenbosch

“Philosophy does not offer comfortable certainties, but an intellectual adventure in which everything is up for questioning and reassessment. The value of philosophy is that it teaches us to recognise the limits of what we know, without succumbing to despair in the face of what we do not know."

Our Programmes

Philosophy as a Major

This programme is offered as part of several undergraduate degree programmes in arts and social sciences. These courses equip students with critical thinking and analytical skills to understand complex philosophical and ethical issues.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Ethics

This one-year programme introduces foundational and practical ethical concepts for graduates without a philosophy background.

MA in Philosophy

This research-focused programme deepens philosophical knowledge and hones student’s critical thinking skills.

PhD in Philosophy

This programme focuses on independent research and allows students to explore and develop solutions to complex philosophical questions.

Honours in Philosophy

This one-year programme is for students with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. It provides advanced philosophical training and preparation for further research.

MPhil in Applied Ethics

A one-year degree tailored for students and professionals interested in ethical challenges in various fields, focusing on applied ethics.

PhD in Applied Ethics

A research-intensive programme enabling students to investigate and contribute original solutions to ethical problems in practical contexts.