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Bachelor Philosophy

This page covers the 2018 exam regulations. Information about the new degree programs starting in the winter semester 2025/26 can be found here.

Short description

We have all asked ourselves philosophical questions: Am I allowed to eat animals? How can I know if I am awake or dreaming? What is the meaning of life? When studying Philosophy, you will learn various answers that are methodically reflected upon and justified.

There are several advantages to studying Philosophy at HHU Düsseldorf:

  • the choice between Major subject or Minor subject, each with attractive combination options,
  • intensive supervision and discussions in small groups,
  • solid introductions to academic work and argumentation,
  • a thematic variety of courses on almost every area of philosophy,
  • courses and other offerings 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 website for prospective students of the Institute of Philosophy.

Variants & combination options

Philosophy can be studied as a Major subject or as a Minor subject on the Bachelor's degree course and is then combined with a second subject in the other role. You can also switch between these options during the course of your studies.

Both 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 following list contains all modules and courses of the major subject. The examination number is provided for each course in parentheses. Using the examination numbers, you can identify in your Leistungsübersicht which courses you have already completed and which are still missing.

Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2)

You have to complete a total of 8 courses from 4 propaedeutics modules, each consisting of 2 courses:

  • Logic: 1 Lecture/Seminar (2521) + 1 Exercise (2522)
  • Theoretical Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (2531: Epistemology or Metaphysics) + 1 Exercise (2532: Argumentation)
  • Practical Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (2541: Ethics) + 1 Exercise (2542: Scientific working methods)
  • History of Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (2551: Ancient Philosophy or Medieval Philosophy) + 1 Exercise (2552: Fundamentals of Philosophy)

In all 8 courses, you must obtain a participation certificate called Beteiligungsnachweis (BN). Additionally, in the Logic module and 2 other modules, you will take a final examination called Abschlussprüfung (AP) in the form of a written test (Klausur). There is no need to take an AP in one of the modules. Further information about the first year of study can be found on the website for First-year students.

Admission to the AP of a basic module requires passing all 3 final examinations in the propaedeutic modules.

Year 2 (semesters 3 and 4)

You have to complete a total of 9 courses from 3 basic modules, each consisting of 3 courses:

  • Theoretical Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (2571: Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, or Logic II) + 1 Seminar (2572) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (2573)
  • Practical Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (2581: Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law, or Social Philosophy and Cultural Philosophy) + 1 Seminar (2582) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (2583)
  • History of Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (2591: Modern Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy) + 1 Seminar (2592) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (2593)

In all 9 courses, you must obtain a BN. Additionally, in all 3 basic modules, you will each complete an AP in the form of a Klausur, Hausarbeit, Studienarbeit, or oral examination, with at least one AP being an oral examination.

To be eligible for the AP of an advanced module, you must have passed the AP of the corresponding basic module in the relevant area (Theoretical Philosophy, Practical Philosophy, History of Philosophy).

Year 3 (semesters 5 and 6)

You have to complete a total of 6 seminars from 3 advanced modules by choosing 3 of the following advanced modules, each consisting of 2 advanced seminars:

  • Theoretical Philosophy IIIa: Logic, Language and Knowledge: Advanced Seminar (2611) + Advanced Seminar (2612)
  • Theoretical Philosophy IIIb: Being, Mind and Science: Advanced Seminar (2621) + Advanced Seminar (2622)
  • Practical Philosophy IIIa: Ethics and Justice: Advanced Seminar (2631) + Advanced Seminar (2632)
  • Practical Philosophy IIIb: Politics and Culture: Advanced Seminar (2641) + Advanced Seminar (2642)
  • History of Philosophy III: Advanced Seminar (2651) + Advanced Seminar (2652)

In all 6 advanced seminars, you must obtain a BN. Additionally, in all 3 advanced modules you have chosen, you will complete an AP in the form of a Klausur, Hausarbeit, Studienarbeit, or oral examination, with at least one AP being a Hausarbeit. Each AP of an advanced module is given double weight in the overall grade.

Finally, students majoring in Philosophy must write a Bachelor's thesis. This is typically done in the sixth semester. You can find many important details about the Bachelor's thesis in the Prüfungsordnung.

The following list contains all modules and courses of the minor subject. The examination number is provided for each course in parentheses. Using the examination numbers, you can identify in your Leistungsübersicht which courses you have already completed and which are still missing.

Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2)

You have to complete a total of 6 courses from 3 propaedeutics modules, each consisting of 2 courses. The Logic module is compulsory:

  • Logic: 1 Lecture/Seminar (4521) + 1 Exercise (4522)

Besides, you have to choose 2 of the following modules:

  • Theoretical Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (4531: Epistemology or Metaphysics) + 1 Exercise (4532: Argumentation)
  • Practical Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (4541: Ethics) + 1 Exercise (4542: Scientific working methods)
  • History of Philosophy I: 1 Lecture (4551: Ancient Philosophy or Medieval Philosophy) + 1 Exercise (4552: Fundamentals of Philosophy)

In all 6 courses, you must obtain a participation certificate called Beteiligungsnachweis (BN). Additionally, in the Logic module and one of your chosen modules, you will take a final examination called Abschlussprüfung (AP) in the form of a written test (Klausur). There is no need to take an AP in one of your modules. Further information about the first year of study can be found on the website for First-year students.

Admission to the AP of a basic module requires passing all 2 final examinations in the propaedeutic modules.

Year 2 (semesters 3 and 4)

You have to complete a total of 6 courses by choosing 2 of the following basic modules, each consisting of 3 courses:

  • Theoretical Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (4571: Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, or Logic II) + 1 Seminar (4572) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (4573)
  • Practical Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (4581: Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law, or Social Philosophy and Cultural Philosophy) + 1 Seminar (4582) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (4583)
  • History of Philosophy II: 1 Lecture (4591: Modern Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy) + 1 Seminar (4592) + 1 Seminar or Exercise (4593)

In all 6 courses, you must obtain a BN. Additionally, in the 2 basic modules you haven chosen, you will each complete an AP in the form of a Klausur, Hausarbeit, Studienarbeit, or oral examination.

To be eligible for the AP of an advanced module, you must have passed the AP of the corresponding basic module in the relevant area (Theoretical Philosophy, Practical Philosophy, History of Philosophy).

Year 3 (semesters 5 and 6)

You have to complete a total of 2 seminars by choosing 1 of the following advanced modules, each consisting of 2 advanced seminars:

  • Theoretical Philosophy IIIa: Logic, Language and Knowledge: Advanced Seminar (4611) + Advanced Seminar (4612)
  • Theoretical Philosophy IIIb: Being, Mind and Science: Advanced Seminar (4621) + Advanced Seminar (4622)
  • Practical Philosophy IIIa: Ethics and Justice: Advanced Seminar (4631) + Advanced Seminar (4632)
  • Practical Philosophy IIIb: Politics and Culture: Advanced Seminar (4641) + Advanced Seminar (4642)
  • History of Philosophy III: Advanced Seminar (4651) + Advanced Seminar (4652)

In all 2 advanced seminars, you must obtain a BN. Additionally, in the advanced module you haven chosen, you will complete an AP in the form of a Hausarbeit. This AP is given double weight in the overall grade.

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.

More information

Quelle: Youtube.com

Academic Counselling

Dr. Christoph Schamberger
Academic Counselling for Bachelor Philosophy Send Email
Building: 24.52
Floor/room: 01.24
Office Hours

Appointments for office hours can be made by e-mail.