What is a Philosophy degree? Philosophy addresses some of the most fundamental and difficult questions. It teaches you critical reasoning like no other discipline. With a Philosophy degree, you will develop the ability to use logic, reason and ethics to solve problems on and off the job.
Career possibilities in Philosophy include lawyers, bioethicists, public policy analysts, journalists, teachers, mental health counsellors, and health care and education civil service managers, researchers, and social workers. With the University of Waterloo’s Co-Op program, you can make meaningful work placement connections that can lead to job prospects.
We feel that the Philosophy program at the University of Waterloo is one of the best places to study because it is uniquely positioned to explore vast interdisciplinary options. Philosophy at Waterloo offers courses in ethics in AI, Philosophy of Math, and Science, Philosophy of Law, Philosophy of Sport, Biomedical Ethics, as well as Feminist Philosophy, Anti-racist, and Decolonial Philosophy. Don't take our word for it, take look at what one of our PhD students calls Philosophy with a purpose.
Find out more about our Undergraduate programs and plans, pathways to a Philosophy MA degree or our Philosophy PhD and our Applied PhD programs. Learn how to apply to the Philosophy Undergraduate degree program and how to apply to the Philosophy Graduate programs at Waterloo today.
The Department of Philosophy is closely associated with the Department of Gender and Social Justice; our staff administrates both programs and many of our faculty teach in both areas. For more information on the Gender and Social Justice Department, visit their website.
Events
Karolina Krzyżanowska: Experimental Epistemology of Figleaves
The Spring term Philosophy Colloquium speaker series begins on Wednesday, May 27th. We are very excited to welcome Karolina Krzyżanowska who will speak on Experimental Epistemology of Figleaves. Go to the event page for full abstract and bio, as well as event location.
News
GradFlix 2026
The GradFlix competition asks students to use digital narratives to explain complex research ideas, allowing them to develop their 'elevator pitch'. Students improve their research communication while learning to make their work accessible to non-specialists.
This year, three Philosophy graduate students, George Dumitru, Madeleine Kenyon, and Kota Kitagawa, were chosen to have their videos screened at the final, with Madeleine Kenyon winning 3rd place!
Visiting Public Humanities Faculty Fellow at the University of Toronto's Jackman Humanities Institute
Jackie Feke appointed as visiting professor at the University of Toronto. Read the full article to find out what Professor Feke has planned for this exciting opportunity.
The Visiting Public Humanities Faculty Fellowship aims to exchange knowledge between the academy and the public. This fellowship shows a commitment to public scholarship, discussion, debate, and examination across multiple media platforms.
Madeleine Kenyon, Applied PhD candidate, features in ARTS blog
Philosophy with a purpose
“My department worked hard to develop camaraderie and warmth towards and between incoming graduate students, even when gathering in physical spaces was limited or impossible. When I mentioned to my supervisor that I had been feeling isolated from my feminist philosophy community in light of my required courses and pandemic restrictions, Dr. Saul sent out an email that same day to solicit members in our department for a weekly online feminist philosophy reading group – one which still runs now, almost five years later.”