Philosophy Major Subject (Academic)

FsB vom 14.10.2025

Overview

Bachelor of Arts

6 semesters

winter semester&summer semester

Apply now! Put together your degree programme now

Please note that the subject-specific regulations of 14 October 2025 will not come into force until the summer semester 2026.

What distinguishes law from justice? What is science allowed to do? What is the relationship between language and the world? Is there free will? These are examples of questions to which Philosophy seeks answers. In the Bachelor's programme in Philosophy, you will systematically and historically deal with questions of this kind and with the answers that have been proposed so far. You will identify the strengths and weaknesses of these answers and learn to formulate new questions and answers yourself. The content of the programme is divided into the areas of Theoretical Philosophy (Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, etc.) and Practical Philosophy (Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, Theory of Action, etc.). In addition, there is the field of logic and argumentation theory.

In addition to subject knowledge in the narrower sense, you will acquire skills in text analysis, in writing and presenting independent philosophical papers, as well as in gathering information and interactively communicating philosophical problems. These skills qualify you for further Master's studies in Philosophy or related subjects, but also for a variety of professional fields, such as work in publishing, educational and cultural institutions, public relations, and others.

If you are interested in dealing with complex philosophical questions independently under supervision, then the Bachelor's programme in Philosophy in Bielefeld is the right place for you. Here you will meet committed and interested teaching staff who conduct intensive research and teach on a variety of different philosophical topics in a small department. Particular emphasis is placed on Philosophy as a craft, because Philosophy is definitely something you can learn.

The courses

You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.

An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.

Formalities / Important information

Course start

Studies can be commenced in both winter and summer semesters. Courses are targeted to commencing studies in winter semester. Student counselling to plan the course of studies is recommended.

Length and scope of studies

The standard period of studies is 6 semesters. Information on studying part time can be found on the following webpage.

The studies Major Subject (Academic) Philosophy comprise 120 credit points.

Find out about the academic structure model and note the possible combinations as well as the rules regarding the individual supplementary area.

Access requirements

Access to the Bachelor programme is granted to those who have a university entrance qualification suitable for Germany (e. g. German ‘Abitur’).

Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.

Likewise, special conditions apply to those qualified in vocational education and training.

Application, admission and enrolment ¹

The study places are not subject to any admission restrictions (numerus clausus). Nevertheless, you need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines. Afterwards, however, you can submit your application for enrolment directly in the application and status portal, provided that you meet the access requirements.

Step by step to a bachelor programme without NC

To the application portal

Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.

Likewise, special conditions apply to those qualified in vocational education and training.

Possible Combinations

This subject can be combined with the following subjects in the Combined Bachelor's Degree:

Combined Bachelor's Degree with One Minor Subject

As Minor Subject you may choose Art History and Historical Image Studies Biology Business Administration and Economics Chemistry Computational Linguistics Educational Science English Studies: British and American Studies French German as a Foreign and Second Language German Languages and Literatures History Informatics Latin: Roman Literature, Culture and Society in European Context Law Linguistics Literary Studies Mathematics Physics Political Science Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Spanish

Combined Bachelor's Degree with Two Minor Subjects

As Minor Subject you may choose Aesthetic Education Art History and Historical Image Studies English Studies: British and American Studies Informatics Latin American Culture and History Linguistics of Romance Languages Literary Studies Mathematics Physics Protestant Theology

Further links

Internet pages of the subject Philosophy

Internet pages of the responsible institution(s):

Department of Philosophy with the courses offered

Legend

1: The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2025/26 and summer semester 2026.
Information on NC values from previous years
academic: "technical" degree programme; no option for teaching profession available here.