Philosophy Major Subject (Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium' and 'Gesamtschule'))

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 is a good life? Is there free will? What is science allowed to do? Do we live in a simulation of reality? - If you are looking for answers to these fundamental questions, the Department of Philosophy is the right place for you! This also applies if you are interested in working on such questions with school pupils.

In the academic part of the degree programme, you will systematically and historically examine questions such as these. You will acquire specialised knowledge and learn to understand texts as well as to write and present philosophical work by communicating abstract problems in a generally understandable way. Particular emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of philosophising. After a guided introduction to the programme, you will have the opportunity to set your own content priorities.

The didactic part of the programme focuses on how pupils of Philosophy and Practical Philosophy can be guided and accompanied in dealing with these questions. This prepares you for the Master of Education programme and the teaching profession at grammar schools and comprehensive schools.

The decision to study as a core subject (Secondary Secondary Schools and Comprehensive Schools) or as a minor subject (Secondary Secondary Schools and Comprehensive Schools) influences the point in time at which you deal with the academic aspects of Philosophy in greater depth: In the core subject already in the Bachelor's programme, in the minor subject only in the Master of Education.

Please note that a good knowledge of English is essential for studying Philosophy, as a considerable amount of the literature to be read is written in English.

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 (Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium' and 'Gesamtschule')) Philosophy comprise 90 credit points.

Find out about the academic structure model and note the possible combinations.

Access requirements

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

Please note: When transferring to the Master of Education degree programme with the subject of Philosophy and the career goal of teaching at Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium' and 'Gesamtschule'), proof of knowledge of Latin at the level of the German "Kleines Latinum" or proof of the German "Graecum" is required for the degree of Master of Education up to and including the winter semester 2028/29. From the summer semester 2029, proof of knowledge of Latin at the level of the German "Kleines Latinum" or proof of the German "Graecum" is already required for enrolment (and not only for the degree) of the degree programme.

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

Please note that Education Sciences is always a compulsory component of a degree programme with a teaching option (see study structure model) and therefore necessarily requires an application for a study place.

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:

Teacher Training Bachelor at Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium' and 'Gesamtschule')

Please note further specifications for the choice of subjects.

As Minor Subject (2. Teaching Subject) you may choose Biology Chemistry Education as a School Subject English Studies: British and American Studies French German Languages and Literatures History Latin: Roman Literature, Culture and Society in European Context Mathematics Physics Social Sciences Spanish Sports Science Wirtschaft-Politik/Sozialwissenschaften

As Educational Sciences you have to combine Educational Sciences

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.