In this undergraduate program, designed for six semesters, you will become acquainted with philosophy in its historical and systematic aspects: from the beginnings of (Western) philosophy in Greek antiquity to the present; from practical philosophy (e.g., ethics and political philosophy) to theoretical philosophy (e.g., epistemology, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics). You study philosophy together with a second subject in a two-subject B.A., which, upon successful completion, qualifies you for further studies in Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs.
If you would like to get an impression of what has been taught in Bochum in recent years, take a look at the course catalog of the winter semester 2025/26 or the summer semester 2026.
Further information on applying and on possible subject combinations can be found on the page of the central student advisory service.
This advanced degree program is designed for four semesters and can be studied either as a two-subject M.A., a single-subject M.A., or as a single-subject M.A. with a specialization in "Theoretical Philosophy" (in English).
In the single-subject and two-subject M.A. programs, you continue to study philosophy in its full historical and systematic breadth. As in the B.A., you have the option of studying philosophy as one of two subjects (two-subject M.A.); however, you can also focus entirely on philosophy (single-subject M.A.). The programs are structured so that, on the one hand, your philosophical knowledge is broadened, while on the other hand, you also have the opportunity to set focal points in the final two semesters, allowing you to shape your studies according to your own interests.
Theoretical philosophy is a vast discipline: it includes the foundational questions of metaphysics, the study of philosophical and scientific methodology, and the formal investigation of logical systems; it deals with the intricacies of mind, consciousness and cognition; it investigates the conditions of knowledge, and it studies the philosophical aspects of language. Moreover, the topics of the discipline have a history (in the Western World) of over 2.500 years.
The philosophy departments of the Universities of Bochum and Dortmund have teamed up to offer a comprehensive and thorough M.A. program covering all the above-mentioned sub-disciplines of theoretical philosophy. The program is taught in English by a sizeable group of instructors, each a specialist in their respective fields.
Further Information about this programme: https://theoretical-philosophy.de
The Master's programme "History, Philosophy and Culture of Science" (HPS+) is an interdisciplinary and research-oriented programme with an international focus. The programme focuses on the core areas of knowledge & method, history & society, culture & communication, and responsibility & application. The core areas are considered from the perspectives of philosophy of science, history of science, and cultural studies. The programme enables students to pursue their own in-depth research or gain work experience through a practice-oriented project. Through the HPS+ programme, students develop communication and social skills for a career within or outside academia.
Further information can be found on the programme's homepage.
The Master programme in „Ethics - Economics, Law and Politics" (EELP) is an interdisciplinary and research-focused degree programme backed by the expertise of four esteemed faculties and is designed for the next generation of thought leaders. With the theoretical and empirical insight of the three socio-scientific disciplines (economics, law, and political science) combined with the explicitly normative orientation of philosophy students are not just educated—they're empowered to reshape the future, addressing global challenges with unmatched proficiency.
Our students engage with the latest research topics such as poverty, migration, climate crisis, energy transition and energy poverty, global pandemics, or digital ethics. These topics are integrated in the broader context of six thematic areas: globalisation and justice, markets and morality, climate change and responsibility, welfare and dignity, migration and rights, digitalisation and self-determination. The programme offers a holistic approach, ensuring that our students are well-prepared to tackle complex ethical dilemmas from multiple perspectives.
What is more, the EELP programme lives and shapes internationality at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. So far, students from over 40 different countries worldwide have studied in this programme. This international experience not only broadens the academic perspective of our students but also enriches their cultural understanding.
Further information can be found on the programme's homepage.
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Last update: Jul 01, 2026
