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Master Philosophy

The Master's degree in Philosophy offers the opportunity to deepen the methodological, systematic and historical knowledge acquired in a Bachelor's degree. At our institute you can expect

  • intensive supervision and discussions in small groups,
  • an internationally oriented professional environment,
  • courses at the cutting edge of current research in almost every area of philosophy and
  • courses and other programs on philosophy in the public sphere,
  • dedicated support for career prospects, also within the framework of a mentoring program.

Detailed information and testimonials from students and alumni can also be found on the t3://page?uid=110220website for prospective students of the Institute of Philosophy.

The Master's degree program in Philosophy serves to deepen knowledge of the history and systematics of philosophy as well as argumentative and analytical skills. In the Master's program, the international state of research in selected fields of theoretical and practical philosophy is developed and the ability to carry out one's own academic work is trained. Depending on your interests, you can specialize in either theoretical or practical philosophy.

There are a total of six modules with two courses each to choose from, three in Theoretical Philosophy and three in Practical Philosophy. Of these six modules, four must be freely chosen and completed with an examination. In addition, a Master's thesis must be written and a team project carried out in which 2-5 students work independently and under their own responsibility on a research question they have developed. The FAQ with common questions about the Master's team project can be found here. If the modules to be completed are chosen in a ratio of 3:1 from the two areas, students will specialize in Theoretical or Practical Philosophy. If the four modules are studied at a ratio of 2:2, the Master's degree course is completed without a specialization. In addition to the modules in Philosophy, further courses from other subjects must be taken, preferably from cooperation subjects of the respective specialization in the case of a specialization.

BereichModul
Theoretische PhilosophieSein und Sprache
Erkenntnis und Wissenschaft
Geist und Natur
Praktische PhilosophieNormen und Werte
Mensch und Praxis
Kultur und Gesellschaft
PhilosophieTeamprojekt & Kolloquium
Kongressbesuch

The Master's degree course in Philosophy requires a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or an equivalent Bachelor's degree with a grade of at least 2.5. Whether the requirements for admission to the Master's degree course are met is checked in an aptitude assessment. In order to qualify for our Master's degree program, we expect knowledge of philosophy that is equivalent in type and scope to the Bachelor's supplementary degree program in Philosophy. In the case of minor deficits, admission with conditions may also be possible. In this case, a maximum of two Bachelor's modules with final examination must be completed before admission to the Master's thesis. There is no admission restriction (numerus clausus). The Master's degree course in Philosophy can be started in both the winter and summer semesters.

Application with a completed degree at HHU

If you have completed a suitable Bachelor's degree (core or supplementary subject Philosophy) with an overall grade of 2.5 or better at HHU in the current or previous semester, you can enrol directly for the Master's degree program in Philosophy. Please contact the Student and Examination Office (SSC) to submit the subject change application required for the transition to the Master's program.

Application with a degree from another university

Application and aptitude assessment are carried out via HHU's central application portal. You will find instructions on how to apply in the portal. Please make sure to upload both your degree certificate and transcript of records (in one pdf document if necessary). If you are unsure whether your previous studies cover the content required for admission to a Master's degree program, please attach module handbooks for your Master's degree program that show the respective philosophical components.

Provisional enrollment

If you have not yet completed your Bachelor's degree, provisional enrolment for the Master's degree program is possible if the following requirements are met by 30.9. for enrolment for the winter semester or by 31.3. for enrolment for the summer semester:

  • All final examinations of the relevant Bachelor's degree program have been successfully completed;
  • the Bachelor's thesis has been submitted (please enclose proof);
  • the overall grade point average of the Bachelor's degree program is at least 2.5.

In the case of provisional enrollment, the Bachelor's degree program must be formally completed by the end of the first semester of the Master's degree program with an (overall) final grade of 2.5 or better so that the Master's degree program can be continued.
The application and determination of provisional eligibility are carried out via the central application portal of HHU.

With a degree in philosophy, you have excellent career prospects. On a separate page entitled “Career prospects”, we have compiled information to support your career orientation during your studies at our institute.