From principles to policy: guide decisions that matter

Ethics, Economics, and Policy

The Ethics, Economics, and Policy (EEP) track is a two-year Philosophy MA programme designed for students who want to apply rigorous moral and political philosophy to real-world policy and economic questions.

This interdisciplinary track offers advanced moral and political philosophy courses designed to complement courses in economics and public policy. You’ll gain analytical and normative tools that are highly valued by employers across government, think tanks, NGOs, and consultancy—especially in fields like sustainability, digital policy, and global justice.

The first year includes foundational philosophy courses—such as Philosophy of Science and Normative Ethics—alongside the course Policy Ethics, which launches the EEP cohort and connects students through shared case studies and discussion. Students also take courses from a second Master’s programme (e.g. Economics, Political Science) alongside EEP.

The second year includes four core EEP courses: Freedom, Equality, and Justice, Ethics and Economics, Cooperation and Rationality, and Ethics of Public Health. These explore key normative issues in institutional design, collective action, economic fairness, and policy legitimacy. In the winter term, students take Current EEP Topics, a practicum-style course that applies philosophical methods to live policy problems such as climate transition, AI governance, and global inequality.

EEP students write their MA thesis as part of a thesis group working on related topics, under close supervision of the Ethics Group. The programme fosters cohort cohesion and interdisciplinary dialogue, drawing on expertise from across VU Amsterdam, including the School of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Graduates leave with two Master’s degrees and the ethical, analytical, and policy competencies to lead in a complex and changing world.

Take a look at the Two-Year EEP Schedule.

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1st year
2nd year

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll take four core philosophy courses, courses from your other Master’s, and Policy Ethics—the course that brings together all EEP students for the first time. You’ll study the foundations of philosophical thinking, covering major movements in the history of philosophy, and explore key debates in political and social theory.

In Normative Ethics, you’ll learn to work with competing moral frameworks, and consider how they can guide public decision-making. You’ll also take Philosophy of Science, asking how science informs public reasoning.

In Policy Ethics, you’ll explore how ethical analysis interacts with policymaking in real-world contexts—ranging from AI governance to climate strategy. You’ll examine how values and institutions intersect, and how philosophy can guide better decisions in complex policy environments.

In Philosophy of Responsibility, you will learn to analyze who can be held responsible for tackling such major problems as the housing crisis, climate change, and public health.

Courses

Policy Ethics
Philosophy of Science
Normative Ethics
Political and Social Philosophy
Philosophy of Responsibility
History of Philosophy

Year 2

Year 2 is where the EEP specialisation truly takes off. You’ll follow advanced courses that apply ethical and political philosophy to real-world institutions, economic systems, and policy dilemmas. You’ll take Freedom, Equality, and Justice, Ethics and Economics, Cooperation and Rationality, and Ethics of Public Health. These courses explore issues like exploitation, corporate accountability, collective action, and fairness in markets and governance. In the winter term, Current EEP Topics offers a practicum-style experience where you apply ethical tools to urgent societal challenges—such as climate justice, AI regulation, or global inequality. You’ll write your thesis in a small, themed group under expert guidance.

Courses

Cooperation and Rationality
Freedom, Equality, and Justice
Current EEP Topics
Ethics of Public Health
Ethics and Economics

Dr. Lisa Bastian, Assistant Professor Moral & Political Philosophy

'An interdisciplinary degree is more than the sum of its parts.'

'I began my career studying Philosophy & Economics. Knowing how to navigate the worlds of both words and numbers has been invaluable for me. We have designed the EEP programme to give students the opportunity to discover their own version of this experience.'

Dr. Jan Willem Wieland, Associate Professor of Ethics

'We are looking for smart, motivated students with innovative ideas on how responsibility gaps can be closed.'

'The Philosophy of Responsibility course focuses on the concept of “responsibility gaps.” These gaps arise in problems such as climate change or public health, where all parties involved – the government, companies, and consumers – shift responsibility to each other. As a result, these problems remain unresolved. The central questions are: who should take responsibility, and how can we refute excuses for not taking responsibility? We are looking for smart, motivated students with innovative ideas on how these responsibility gaps can be closed.'

Dr. Phil Robichaud, Associate Professor of Ethics

'Join us in connecting values with policies that matter.'

'In my years as coordinator in VU Amsterdam's PPE programme, I’ve seen alumni use the combination of philosophy and economics to build careers aimed at making a positive difference in society. I see the EEP Master as the next step for students with similar ambitions—equipping them to connect deep ethical reflection with real-world impact.'

On completing this Master’s programme, you can combine your background in policy, economics, or governance with advanced ethical reasoning. As a graduate of the EEP track, you’ll be equipped to assess complex public challenges—like climate transition, AI governance, or health equity—from both a normative and evidence-based perspective.

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Ethics, Economics, and Policy

A personal word from EEP teachers

Change your future! Take the Master’s in Ethics, Economics, and Policy

Change your future! Take the Master’s in Ethics, Economics, and Policy

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