Issued pursuant to Decision No. 1489/QD-XHNV dated March 19, 2026, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
PART I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM
1. Some information about the training program
- Program name:
+ Vietnamese: Philosophy
+ English: Philosophy
- Name of the training program:
+ Vietnamese: Philosophy
+ English: Philosophy
- Training program code:8229001
- Language of instruction:Vietnamese
- Training duration:2 years
- Name of diploma/certificate after graduation:
+ Vietnamese: Master's degree in Philosophy
+ English: The Degree of Master in Philosophy
- The unit assigned to conduct the training:University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
2. Objectives of the training program
2.1. General Objectives
The Master's program in Philosophy provides students with comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge in the social sciences and humanities, and updates their professional knowledge and skills to enhance their capacity for modern interdisciplinary research, critical thinking, innovation, analysis, and problem-solving in philosophy within a changing society and international integration context. Students will be able to independently analyze, develop, and present research projects, lectures, or coursework; possess a firm ideological stance, critical thinking, a scientific spirit, professional adaptability, and the ability to self-learn and conduct independent research for personal development and to pursue doctoral studies.
2.2. Specific Objectives
- Specific Objective 1(O1): The training program provides advanced and modern knowledge on the contents of Marxist-Leninist philosophy, Eastern and Western philosophy, Vietnamese philosophical thought, philosophy of culture and religion, and some interdisciplinary knowledge of social sciences and humanities in the context of digital transformation.
- Specific Objective 2(O2): The training program helps learners to proficiently apply philosophical methodology, information technology, and artificial intelligence tools in research and teaching philosophy and some political theory subjects; to grasp and theoretically solve problems posed by practice in their field of work.
- Specific Objective 3(O3): The training program helps learners develop the qualities of a specialist in the field of philosophy, continuously learn and improve their knowledge, proactively and creatively apply knowledge and skills in professional decisions, commit to adhering to professional ethical standards and integrity in research, and demonstrate high responsibility towards the community and society.
3. Admission Information
3.1. Admission methods:Admission is based on the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi).
3.2. Eligibility Criteria
3.2.1. Regarding qualifications
- Applicants must possess a university degree (or equivalent qualification or higher) in a relevant field, with a GPA of at least "good" or higher, or have published scientific papers related to their field of study or research. In cases where applicants require supplementary courses, these must be completed before applying.
- Diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions must undergo recognition procedures in accordance with the current regulations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3.2.2. Regarding foreign language proficiency
- Possess foreign language proficiency (in one of the following languages: English, French, Chinese, Japanese, German, Korean, Russian) meeting the requirements of the training program at level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam. Foreign language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following diplomas or certificates:
+ A university degree or higher in a foreign language; or a university degree or higher where the program is primarily conducted in a foreign language;
+ A university degree or higher awarded by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, within the last two years, where the program's output meets the requirements of level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;
+ A foreign language certificate equivalent to level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam; or equivalent, valid for 2 years from the date of the foreign language exam to the date of registration for the master's program, issued by institutions accepted by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The head of the training unit or the Rector of the University of Foreign Languages will assess and be responsible for the authenticity of foreign language certificates issued by foreign organizations before recognizing their equivalence.
- Applicants who are foreign citizens must have a Vietnamese language proficiency level of 4 or higher according to the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners, or have graduated from a university (or equivalent qualification or higher) where the training program was taught in Vietnamese; and meet the requirements for a second foreign language as stipulated by the training program (if any).
3.2.3. Other conditions
- A clean personal record, not currently serving a legal penalty at the level of a warning or higher, not currently serving a criminal sentence, as confirmed by the human resources department of the workplace or the local government where the individual resides.
- I am healthy enough to study.
- Meet other conditions (if any) as required by VNU.
- Commitment to fulfilling financial obligations during the training process as stipulated by the training institution.
3.3. List of suitable fields of study
- Philosophy, Religious Studies.
- The field of study is defined in the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.
- For cases where there are no established training program standards for the corresponding field or group of disciplines, the specialized unit must have a scientific and practical basis, determined by the Scientific and Training Council of the specialized unit and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to identify the discipline with the closest professional foundation to the training program and determine the corresponding supplementary courses (if needed); report to VNU before enrollment and be responsible for this professional evaluation.
3.4. Projected enrollment size
- According to the quotas granted annually by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (expected 15-25 students/year).
- The detailed admission plan is implemented according to the Admission Regulations, the annual postgraduate admission guidelines of VNU, and the unit's admission plan approved by VNU (if any).
PART II: LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Upon completing the Master's program in Philosophy, students will be able to:
1. Knowledge Output Standards
PLO 01:Analyze issues in the professional field and practical activities based on a philosophical worldview and methodology, especially Marxist-Leninist philosophy.
PLO 02:Analyze the philosophical content and themes in the history of Eastern and Western philosophy and their value and significance in the contemporary context.
PLO 03:Analyze the knowledge of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, their value and methodological significance in the current context.
PLO 04:Analyze the knowledge of scientific socialism in Vietnam and around the world, and its value and significance in the current socialist revolution in Vietnam.
PLO 05:Evaluating and synthesizing knowledge about culture and religion in Vietnam and around the world, and their value and significance in the modern era.
PLO 06:Evaluating and synthesizing political, social, ethical, legal, scientific, technological, and religious issues in Vietnam and around the world within the context of integration and globalization, based on philosophical theories and methods.
2. Skill Output Standards
PLO 07:Proficient in analytical skills, constructing theoretical frameworks, and developing research problems in philosophy and the social sciences and humanities.
PLO 08:Proficient in conveying philosophical knowledge, guiding students in scientific research, writing graduation theses, and publishing scientific papers in their specialized field.
PLO 09:Coordinate the organization of research groups and policy review groups for socio-economic, cultural, and scientific and technological development projects.
PLO 10:Possesses digital literacy, basic artificial intelligence tool skills, and the ability to apply a foreign language at a level equivalent to level 4/6 according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework to professional work.
3. Output standards regarding the level of autonomy and responsibility
PLO 11:Adapt flexibly to changes in your professional field and work environment by updating your knowledge and improving your ability to apply it in your profession and work practice.
PLO 12:There is a spirit of connecting philosophical and humanistic values in solving problems arising in practice.
PLO 13:Proactively make decisions from an expert and managerial perspective in professional activities and work.
4. Job positions for graduates after graduation
- Researchers and lecturers in philosophical fields (History of Philosophy, Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism, Scientific Socialism, Religious Studies, Cultural and Religious Management, and other political theory disciplines) in research institutes, universities, colleges, academies, vocational high schools, and training facilities of socio-political organizations.
- Officials and employees in Party and State agencies, in organizations belonging to the political system at all levels, and in non-state scientific and social organizations.
- Job and management positions in private sector economic and cultural organizations.
5. Opportunities for further learning and professional development after graduation.
After graduation, students can continue to improve and accumulate research and critical thinking experience; participate in training courses to enhance their skills both domestically and internationally; participate in evaluation committees for scientific research projects, lectures, textbooks, and theses; participate in and lead philosophical research projects at all levels, supervise dissertations; write textbooks, lectures, monographs, and publish scientific papers.
PART III: TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENT
No. | Course code | Course module | Number of credits | Number of study hours | Prerequisite course code | ||
| Theory(1) | Practice(2) | Self-study(3) | |||||
I | General knowledge block | 5 |
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1 | Foreign language B2(Choose one of the following five foreign languages): | 5 |
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ENG5001 | English B2 (Postgraduate level) English B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
RUS5001 | Russian B2 (Postgraduate) Russian B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
FRE5001 | French B2 (Postgraduate) French B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
GER5001 | German B2 (Postgraduate) German B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
CHI5001 | Chinese B2 (Postgraduate) Chinese B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
OLC5001 | Japanese B2 (Postgraduate) Japanese B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
KOR5001 | Korean B2 (Postgraduate) Korean B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
II | Foundation and specialized knowledge blocks | 33 |
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II.1 | Required courses | 15 |
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2 | PHI6224 | Philosophical worldview, methodology, and research methods Philosophical Worldview, Methodology and Method | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
3 | PHI6160 | Vietnamese philosophical thought: Tradition and modernity Vietnamese Philosophical Thoughts: Tradition and Present | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
4 | PHI6161 | Philosophy of humanity in the scientific and technological revolution Philosophy of Man in the Scientific-Technological Revolution | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
5 | PHI6164 | Worldview in Eastern philosophy Cosmology in Eastern Philosophy | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
6 | PHI6165 | Rule of Law: Some Theoretical and Practical Issues Legal State: Some Theoretical and Practical Issues | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
II.2 | Elective courses (Choose one of three areas of specialization) | 18 |
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II.2.1 | Specialization in Philosophy | 18/33 |
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7 | PHI6114 | Political and social philosophy of ancient and medieval Western Europe Socio-Political Philosophy in Western Europe during the Ancient and Medieval Ages | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
8 | PHI6040 | Modern Western European socio-political philosophy Socio-Political Philosophy in Western Europe during the Modern Age | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
9 | PHI6141 | Western European philosophy of the 19th and 20th centuries through some representative works. Western European Philosophy in the 19th and 20th Centuries through Typical Works | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
10 | PHI6166 | Philosophy of history Philosophy of History | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
11 | PHI6167 | Philosophy of Natural Sciences Philosophy of Natural Science | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
12 | PHI6142 | Traditional Vietnamese ethics in the context of a market economy and international integration. Vietnamese Traditional Ethics under the Conditions of the Market Economy and International Integration | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
13 | PHI6168 | The origin, nature, and evolution of beauty Source, Essence and Movement of Beauty | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
14 | PHI6170 | Globalization and the knowledge economy Globalization and Knowledge Based Economy | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
15 | PHI6171 | Philosophical ideas in the I Ching (Book of Changes) Philosophical Thoughts in the Book of Changes | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
16 | PHI6175 | Ho Chi Minh's political philosophy and reform in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh's Political Philosophy and the Reform in Vietnam | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
17 | PHI6178 | Modern and contemporary Chinese philosophy Chinese Pre-Modern and Modern Philosophy | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
II.2.2 | Specialized approach to scientific socialism | 18/24 |
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18 | PHI6179 | The issue of democracy and democratization of social life: History and the present. Democracy and Democratization of Social Life: History and Present | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
19 | PHI6180 | Ho Chi Minh's thought on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh Thoughts on Socialism and the Path to Socialism in Vietnam | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
20 | PHI6276 | Social security policy in the context of a socialist-oriented market economy in Vietnam today. Social Welfare Policy in the Context of Socialist Market Economy in Vietnam Today | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
21 | PHI6182 | The modern working class and its historical mission The Modern Working Class and Its Historical Mandate | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
22 | PHI6183 | Vietnamese intellectuals in the process of national renewal. Vietnamese Intellectuals in the Renovation Process of the Country | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
23 | PHI6184 | Vietnamese farmers in the process of industrialization and modernization of the country. Vietnamese Farmers in the Process of Industrialization and Modernization | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
24 | PHI6185 | Ethnic relations in Vietnam today Relationships among Ethnic Groups in Vietnam Nowaday | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
25 | PHI6186 | Village culture in the process of reform in Vietnam Village Cultures in the Renovation Process of Vietnam | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
II.2.3 | Specialization in Philosophy and Cultural-Religious Management | 18/21 |
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26 | PHI6213 | Religion and social institutions in Vietnam Religion and Social Institutions in Vietnam | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
27 | PHI6187 | Religious pluralism: Sacredness and sacred spaces in modern society. Religious Pluralism: The Sacred and Sacred Spaces in Modern Society | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
28 | PHI6215 | Classics of the Three Religions Classics of the Three Religions | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
29 | PHI6188 | Protestantism and the issue of socio-cultural management in Vietnam. Protestantism and Socio-cultural Management in Vietnam | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
30 | PHI6189 | Philosophy and management of culture and religion in relation to the new religion Philosophy and Administration of Religion-Culture: The New Religious Movement Issue | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
31 | PHI6190 | Indigenous religions in Vietnam: History and the present Indigenous Religion in Vietnam: History and Present | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
32 | PHI6192 | State management of culture and religion: the case of Catholicism and folk religions and beliefs. Governmental Administration of Religion-Culture: The Cases of Catholicism and Folk Religions | 3 | 42 | 6 | 102 | |
III | scientific research | 27 |
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III.1 | Research topic | 12 |
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33 | SSH6003 | Research approaches and methods in the social sciences and humanities. Approaches and Research Methods in Social Sciences and Humanities | 3 | 20 | 10 | 120 | |
34 | SSH6004 | Schools of thought in the social sciences and humanities Schools of Thought in Social Sciences and Humanities | 3 | 36 | 0 | 114 | |
35 | PHI6193 | The changing role of philosophy in a globalized world. Changes in the Role of Philosophy in a Globalized World | 3 | 30 | 30 | 90 | |
36 | PHI6194 | Some philosophical issues of digital transformation, digital economy, and digital society. Philosophical Issues in Digitalization, Digital Economy and Digital Society | 3 | 30 | 30 | 90 | |
III.2 | Master's thesis | 15 |
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37 | PHI7204 | Master's thesis Master's Thesis | 15 | 0 | 0 | 750 | |
Total | 65 | ||||||
Note:One credit is equivalent to 50 hours of student-standard learning, including time spent observing lectures, guided learning, self-study, research, experiences, and participating in tests and assessments; for classroom teaching activities, one credit requires a minimum of 15 hours of lectures or 30 hours of practical work, experiments, and discussions, with one classroom hour counted as 50 minutes.
(1): Theory
(2): Practice, Experiment, Discussion
(3): Internship, Research, Self-study with assessment
Author:Department of Training and Student Affairs
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