Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Bachelor's programmes Master's programmes VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours Programme Dutch language courses (NT2) Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Featured research Prizes and distinctions
Interdisciplinary research institutes Scientists of VU Amsterdam Research Impact Support Portal Create impact with your research
News Events calendar Moving towards a healthier future
VU UPDATE: Situation in Israel and the Palestinian regions Culture at VU Amsterdam
Practical matters Mission, core values and vision Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Governance of VU Amsterdam Valorisation and impact Partnering with VU Amsterdam VU Alumni Community Take a look at our vacancies!
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
The ethics behind medical decisions

Tackle healthcare’s hardest dilemmas

What are the ethical considerations behind palliative care and euthanasia? Where do we draw the line between preventing serious handicaps in children and creating “designer babies”? Who determines whether a patient’s personality has changed after neurological surgery?

Puzzling questions

The field of bioethics has surged in recent years due to breakthroughs in medicine and technological advances. But these have also led to new and puzzling questions – not just for scientists and doctors but for society as a whole.

In the Philosophy, Bioethics and Health specialisation of the two-year Master’s in Philosophy, you’ll tackle challenging ethical and philosophical questions in the context of medicine and health. This is truly a programme for today’s evolving world. Read the stories of Rik, Katima, Mike , Daniëlle, Anne-Ruth, Shanty and Tessa. 

Philosophy, Bioethics and Health is one of the tracks of the master’s programme in Philosophy. Find more information about the other track here.

On this page you can find the frequently asked questions about the combination of the master Philosophy, Bioethics and Health and a master’s in Medicine (coschappen) (Dutch version of the FAQ).

VU Online Master's Event

Thursday 26 November 2026

International Master's webinar

Create a My Study Choice account or log in to watch the recording

International applications

Want to know if you can be admitted? 

Discover your Philosophy, Bioethics and Health programme

This Master’s programme is especially designed for students with a health-related background – such as health sciences, medicine, psychology or biomedical sciences – and a deep interest in the ethics behind medicine and health. It’s a challenging proposition because you’ll follow another Master’s programme at the same time, meaning that you can come out with two Master’s degrees – one in Philosophy and another in a health-related subject. A unique selling point, as you’ll have an all-round training that’s both broad and deep – as well as being a very attractive offer for future employers, like healthcare organizations. 

Explore the programme content

Quick links

Homepage VU Amsterdam Culture at VU Amsterdam University Library Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study Guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

Donate to the VU Fund VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU Amsterdam

Contact with VU Amsterdam Take a look at our vacancies! Faculties VU Amsterdam Divisions VU Amsterdam
Privacy Disclaimer Safety Web Colophon Cookie settings Web Archive

Copyright © VU