Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
6 Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No

Philosophy is not a subject that directly qualifies for a profession, but rather opens up one of the fundamental ways of thinking of our culture and of humanity in general. It deals mainly with texts, but its subject matter is the convictions and arguments on the basis of which everything laid down in great works and complicated discussion threads is to be critically examined and further developed. No subject of study is more dependent on freedom and self-responsibility than philosophy, but none is more sustainable as a guide to intellectual competence and personal independence.

The subject can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis.Culture and Media variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 90 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

The program in detail

Contents

The subject Philosophy offers a fundamental university education in which students acquire in-depth content-related and methodological skills. The degree program teaches basic knowledge on the discipline, eras and positions of philosophy. Students are familiarized with the main forms of philosophical thought and learn to deal with them independently, in particular: Conceptual analysis, argumentation, logical deduction, text interpretation, reflective understanding of systematical and historical controversies, strategies of legitimization. They will acquire the ability to deal with the difference and correlation of descriptive and normative questions and will develop methodological and academic-theoretical critical ability. Furthermore, they will be introduced to the task of pooling own philosophical thought and the results of the degree program in order to make independent, objective contributions to scientific discourse. The program focuses on classical primary texts from the field of philosophical tradition and present.

The systematic structure of the program is based on the structure of the philosophical epochs (Antiquity, Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Renaissance and the Early Modern Times, Modernity and the Present), the disciplines (Theoretical Philosophy, especially Ontology, Epistemology, Anthropology and Philosophy of Culture, Aesthetics as well as Practical Philosophy, especially Ethics, Philosophy of Law and State, Social Philosophy, Philosophy of History, Philosophy of Religion) and the basic approaches (especially Metaphysics, Transcendental Philosophy, Phenomenology, Philosophy of Language). Students also learn to understand and evaluate the practical-real consequences and the effectiveness of philosophical ways of thinking in social and cultural life. This also includes an introduction to the interdisciplinary and intercultural horizons of the subject of philosophy. 

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others. 

"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

Study abroad periods are possible in the framework of the Interdisciplinary degree programs. The KU International Office supports students in the planning phase and provides information on different financing possibilities for stays abroad.

Partner universities

  • Institut Catholique de Paris
  • Institut Catholique de Toulouse
  • Université catholique de l'Ouest
  • Universidad de Navarra
  • Sapienza Università di Roma

Practical connection

A four-week internship is a required part of the interdisciplinary degree programs. In addition, the subject of Philosophy offers the possibility of a specialized internship of at least three weeks, which can also be combined with the required internship.

The internship introduces students to a possible professional field. An early individual profile development is particularly important here, as a wide range of professional fields is open to the students due to the competences and skills acquired through their studies. Students can also use the internship to establish a connection to a possible topic for their Bachelor’s thesis.

For individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

The subject Philosophy qualifies for a wide range of possible professional fields. In addition to education and science, this includes the fields of media, adult education, management and political consulting, philosophical practice, ethics and social consulting, as well as publishing.

The study of philosophy offers orientation and the opportunity to distinguish oneself in selected areas according to one's own abilities.

The KU

Sommerresidenz Luftbild

Campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.

Studierende vor der Zentralbibliothek

What sets the KU apart

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.

Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?

No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.

At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.

As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.

This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.

Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation. 

Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?

With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.

A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.

Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.

The location

Ortsschild Eichstätt
University town of Eichstätt
Willibaldsburg
Willibaldsburg
Bootsfahrer auf der Altmühl
Canoeing on the Altmühl river
[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten
Relaxing and celebrating in beer gardens

Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities. 

The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.

More on the study location Eichstätt

Advisory Service

Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!

David Guevara
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Application

Requirements
General university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01 - Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
No

The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.

Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!

Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.