Faculty of PhilosophyPhilosophy – Bachelor 50%
Philosophy is at times viewed as abstract discussion of life’s “big questions”. Although students of philosophy do discuss topics which one might consider life’s “big questions”, they first gain the methods and skills they need to consider these issues in detail. This includes the art of rational argumentation, and informed reading of central philosophical texts.
Facts & Formalities
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts |
| Type of programme | Undergraduate |
| Start of programme | Winter semester only |
| Standard period of study | 6 semesters |
| Language(s) of instruction | usually German |
| Fees and contributions | 151.05 € / Semester |
| Application procedure | Subjects with no admission restrictions |
| Application deadlines | Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program. |
| Teaching degree option | Yes |
| Part-time option | Yes |
Course Content
A broad differentiation is generally made between theoretical and practical philosophy. The former considers the possibilities and limits of knowledge, the structure of consciousness, the relationship of the mind and material, or other frequently debated questions about why some things exist, and why others don’t. Practical philosophy considers human behaviour in the broader sense, asking what human actions are, what role human intentions play, and what humans may, should or can justifiably do.
Philosophy often involves simultaneous study of classical texts, philosophical history and consideration of systematic questions (such as epistemology, ethics and aesthetics).
Philosophy is a highly diverse subject area. Having completed the Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy, graduates will have fundamental knowledge of the different philosophical disciplines. Disciplines are sufficiently specialised however, that students will not have exhaustive knowledge of each area. Students generally develop a particular interest for either theoretical or practical philosophy, and so develop a relevant specialisation. Students who are looking to develop a further specialisation may wish to embark on the Master’s degree programme in Philosophy following completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme.
Course Structure
The degree programme is modular. Students must attend the two introductory courses (propaedeutics) in the first two semesters. Students then complete modules in systematic philosophy, covering both theoretical and practical aspects in equal depth. They also consider the history of philosophy via the study of texts from the Antique era, Middle Ages and modern period. Students must cover all areas at least once.
From the third semester, students are able to freely select elective modules from the philosophy modules on offer. Where philosophy is studied with a 50% weighting, students must also study an additional module in cross-disciplinary skills. If the course is studied without the Learning Degree option, students may attend lectures, courses and work placements which are different to those attended by students who have selected the Teaching Degree option. Further information about this can be found in the course guidelines and in the examination rules and regulations.
For each course or lecture, students will be able to complete a different form of assessment: a term paper, or a combination of other forms of assessment. Where philosophy is studied with a 50% weighting, students must write a minimum of three term papers throughout the degree programme.
On completion of a module worth at least six credits, students are considered to have passed the orientation examination.
Students must demonstrate basic knowledge of Latin or Greek before registering their Bachelor’s thesis. This is not an admission requirement for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy (50%).