Bachelor of Philosophy (2025 exam regulations)

Philosophy can be studied in three variants on the Bachelor's degree course, and you can easily switch between them during the course of your studies. All three options qualify you for the subsequent Master's degree course in Philosophy at HHU Düsseldorf and other universities. The standard period of study is always 3 academic years (6 semesters).

All degree programs are divided into modules, each consisting of two or three related courses. Lectures provide a broad overview of larger areas of philosophy. Exercises take place in small groups in which basic philosophical skills are acquired. Seminars offer space for critical discussions and are dedicated to specific texts or topics that are analyzed intensively over the course of a semester.

A certificate of participation (BN) must be obtained in each course. In addition, a final examination (AP) must be taken for each module. An AP can take the form of a written exam, oral exam, term paper or student research project. In some modules, a specific form of AP is specified. The credit points (CP) indicate the average workload of the modules. One CP corresponds to 30 hours of work. The exemplary study plans provide recommendations for a sensible structure of the course and aim to distribute the workload as evenly as possible per semester. They are not binding; individual deviations are therefore possible.

The three variants of single-subject Bachelor of Philosophy, core subject Philosophy and supplementary subject Philosophy only differ in how many of the modules offered belong to the respective degree program variant (see table).

Switching between these variants is therefore very easy. When switching to the single-subject Bachelor of Philosophy, achievements that have already been completed in another subject (such as a previous core or supplementary subject) can easily be credited towards the open modules. This also applies to achievements in the area of ​​profile development.

* For the supplementary subject, one out of these three modules can be chosen freely.

If you are studying philosophy under the old 2018 exam regulations, you have the option to voluntarily switch to one of the new degree programs under the new 2025 exam regulations. While most coursework can be recognized, you will likely need to make up certain requirements. Therefore, switching should be carefully considered.

In the new programs, all modules Practical Philosophy 1, Theoretical Philosophy 1, and History of Philosophy 1 must be completed with a final exam (aka AP) in the form of a written exam. Missing exams can already be taken in the academic year 2024/25. If registration via the student portal (Studierendenportal) is not possible, you can register directly with the instructors.

The former exercises Argumentation and Scientific working methods will be recognized for the new module Argumentation and Writing. However, the module must be completed with an AP in the form of a graded term paper (at least 10 pages), which must be written within the Scientific working methods exercise. To obtain this AP, you have two options: you can either repeat the exercise or transfer a philosophical term paper from another module.

The former exercise Fundamentals of Philosophy will be recognized as a seminar in the new module History of Philosophy 1.

The former basic seminars (Basisseminare) can be recognized in the new modules Practical Philosophy 1 and 2, Theoretical Philosophy 1 and 2, History of Philosophy 2, and Philosophical Classics, provided they match thematically.

The former advanced seminars (Aufbauseminare) can be recognized in the new modules Contemporary Research Discourses and Focus.

Modules

1. Practical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Ethics + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
2. Theoretical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Epistemology + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
3. History of Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Ancient Philosophy or Medieval Philosophy + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
4. Logic (9 CP), 1 Seminar/Lecture Introduction to Logic + 1 Exercise Applied Logic + 1 AP as a written exam
5. Argumentation and Writing (9 CP): 1 Seminar/Exercise Argumentation + 1 Seminar/Exercise Writing + 1 AP as a term paper
6. Philosophical Classics (9 CP): 2 Seminars + 1 AP as a term paper
7. Practical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture in Political Philosophy/Philosophy of Law/Philosophy of Economics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
8. Theoretical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture Metaphysics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
9. History of Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Modern Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
10. Research Focus (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP as an oral exam
11. Practical Philosophy 3 (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP
12. Theoretical Philosophy 3 (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP
13. In-Depth Research Focus (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP as a term paper
14. Open Module 1 (15 CP): Courses from other faculties and profile development, no AP
15. Open Module 2 (9 CP): Courses from other faculties + 1 AP
16. Open Module 3 (12 CP): Courses from other faculties + 1 AP

Finally, you must write a Bachelor Thesis. This is usually completed in the sixth semester.

Exemplary study plan

The open modules of the single-subject Bachelor's degree program in Philosophy allow you to study content from a variety of other subjects from all faculties at HHU, such as Psychology or Medicine, as well as attend language courses and acquire career-preparing personal skills for a total of 36 CP.

You will find further information here.

Modules

1. Practical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Ethics + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
2. Theoretical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Epistemology + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
3. History of Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Ancient Philosophy or Medieval Philosophy + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
4. Logic (9 CP), 1 Seminar/Lecture Introduction to Logic + 1 Exercise Applied Logic + 1 AP as a written exam
5. Argumentation and Writing (9 CP): 1 Seminar/Exercise Argumentation + 1 Seminar/Exercise Writing + 1 AP as a term paper
6. Philosophical Classics (9 CP): 2 Seminars + 1 AP as a term paper
7. Practical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture in Political Philosophy/Philosophy of Law/Philosophy of Economics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
8. Theoretical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture Metaphysics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
9. History of Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Modern Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
10. Contemporary Research Discourses (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP as a term paper
11. Research Focus (12 CP): 3 Seminars + 1 AP as an oral exam

Finally, you must write a Bachelor Thesis. This is usually completed in the sixth semester.

Exemplary study plan

Modules

1. Practical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Ethics + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
2. Theoretical Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture Epistemology + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
3. History of Philosophy 1 (6 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Ancient Philosophy or Medieval Philosophy + 1 Seminar/Exercise + 1 AP as a written exam
4. Logic (9 CP), 1 Seminar/Lecture Introduction to Logic + 1 Exercise Applied Logic + 1 AP as a written exam
5. Argumentation and Writing (9 CP): 1 Seminar/Exercise Argumentation + 1 Seminar/Exercise Writing + 1 AP as a term paper
6. Philosophical Classics (9 CP): 2 Seminars + 1 AP as a term paper

Additionally, you have to choose one of the following modules as an elective module:

• Practical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture Political Philosophy/Philosophy of Law/Philosophy of Economics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
• Theoretical Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture Metaphysics + 1 Seminar + 1 AP
• History of Philosophy 2 (9 CP): 1 Lecture/Seminar Modern Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy + 1 Seminar + 1 AP

Exemplary study plan

You can find out which other subjects can be combined with Philosophy as a core or supplementary subject on the overview page of the Faculty of Philosophy.

In addition to the core subject and supplementary subject, you will also complete a profile development (= interdisciplinary compulsory elective area), in which you have the opportunity to attend language courses, get to know different job profiles or acquire personality skills in preparation for a career.

The admission requirement is a general or relevant subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification, but there are also various options for university admission without an Abitur. Sufficient knowledge of English is also required. This is proven by at least four years of schooling at a secondary school or by equivalent training in further education institutions or by passing examinations as part of language or reading courses at a university.

The Philosophy degree program imparts a broad spectrum of methodological, analytical and linguistic skills that are in great demand in professional life. You can find more detailed information on this on the career prospects page and learn about the wide range of opportunities that await you in this respect at our institute and at Heinrich Heine University.

Philosophical expertise can be used to great advantage in dealing with concrete life and practical problems. The ability to grasp problems quickly, understand complex contexts and present solutions confidently is valued in a wide range of industries. Philosophers work, for example, in the fields of public relations, political consulting, science management, journalism and adult education.