Our undergraduate programs
Philosophy opens the doors to thought
Seeking to understand the world through the ages, reflecting on the fundamental issues of existence, pushing ever further the questioning of human nature, science, art, ethics, justice… while knowing that there is no ultimate answer: for the inquisitive mind, philosophy – or the love of wisdom – is an inexhaustible source of knowledge!
In the deafening context of contemporary society marked by fake news and alternative facts, thinking in a structured way, sharpening one’s arguments and examining those of others is no luxury: it is an inescapable contribution that opens many doors.
Sharpen your critical thinking skills to tackle the questions of yesterday, today and tomorrow
Our philosophy programs invite you to sharpen your critical thinking ability by reflecting on the spectrum of human knowledge and activity over time, while deepening your reflection on various topical issues.
Along the way, you will acquire a solid foundation in the major fields of philosophy, along with a specialization that will best prepare you for graduate studies.
UdeM: recognized for its excellence
At the forefront of research in leading international fields, the Department of Philosophy at UdeM is one of the best in Canada. In fact, according to the most recent ranking by the British firm QS, UdeM ranks among the Top 150 philosophy universities in the world.
| Our Programs | Our Bidisciplinary Programs |
|---|---|
|
NB: The Université de Montréal is a French-language institution. This English website contains only the most frequently consulted pages from our French website. For more information
Program structure
4 main areas of study
Our undergraduate programs cover the major fields of philosophy through four key areas.
- The historical foundation of philosophy (Antiquity, Middle Ages, Modern times, Contemporary times)
- Ethics and political philosophy
- The philosophy of language and science
- Contemporary western philosophy
Learn another language to enrich your knowledge
During your training, optional courses will enable you to study one of the main languages in the philosophical tradition to enhance your knowledge.
- English
- German
- Ancient Greek
- Latin
- Arabic
Former Structures
The undergraduate programs for the Department of Philosophy will be reformed as of Fall 2025. All those already enrolled in an undergraduate program must follow the former program structure (in French), not those shown on the admission site.
Job outlook
Analytical and reflective skills: key to employability
When it comes to transferable skills, philosophy is the all-time champion. By learning analytical skills and methods and critical thinking, you will enhance your intellectual skills and draw more employment possibilities.
While philosophy programs do not lead directly to a predetermined career, they do encourage high-quality personal development through an elaborate general education. Most professions require at least a bachelor’s degree, and often a higher level of university education. Adding a master’s degree to your bachelor’s degree in philosophy will give you access to a wider variety of careers.
Many use their philosophical training to demonstrate their skills in several fields, reflecting the versatility and multidisciplinarity of philosophy.
- Journalism
- Communications
- Public administration
- Politics
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Finances
- Law
- Corporate
The job market in philosophy
In addition to teaching and university research, philosophers can occupy a multitude of positions. Here are just a few examples of positions held by our graduates.
- Senior Advisor, Government Relations
- Partnership Coordinator at Mila
- Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation du Québec (MAMH)
- Editor, Graduate in professional writing
Prospects look good for those who want to teach philosophy at the college level, which nevertheless requires a 2nd cycle diploma.In this regard, we offer a master’s degree in philosophy with the option to teach at the college level (in French).