Philosophy Subject (Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule'))
FsB vom 14.10.2025
Overview
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 Philosophy teacher training programme, you will systematically and historically engage with questions of this kind and 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. A special focus of the study is on how pupils of the subject "Practical Philosophy" can be guided and accompanied in their examination of these questions.
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-specific 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. In addition, you will acquire subject-specific didactic skills that prepare you for the Master of Education and the teaching profession at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools (HRSGe).
If you are interested in dealing with complex philosophical questions independently under supervision, then the Philosophy programme in Bielefeld is the right place for you. Here you will meet committed and interested teaching staff who intensively research and teach a variety of different philosophical topics in a small department. Particular emphasis is placed on on Philosophy as a craft, because Philosophy is definitely something that can be learned. For a teaching degree in HRSGe, you should also have an interest in communicating complex content to younger pupils and engaging with them about it.
The courses
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
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
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 Subject (Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule')) Philosophy comprise 60 credit points.
Find out about the academic structure model and note the possible combinations.
Access requirements
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
Application, admission and enrolment
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
Possible Combinations
This subject can be combined with the following subjects in the Combined Bachelor's Degree:
Please note further specifications for the choice of subjects.
Further links
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.