Bachelor of Arts 2006

Objectives of the bachelor's programme

The objective of the bachelor’s programme is to fulfil the general and philosophical aims mentioned on our homepage at a good or, better yet, very good undergraduate level to lay the foundation for more advanced academic studies. Two aspects are particularly important to us: On the one hand, we seek to provide solid philosophical training that enables students to continue their studies at the master’s level. On the other hand, we place particular emphasis on the acquisition of general skills to maximise the use of the bachelor’s programme to individuals who take a job or transfer to another subject after earning their bachelor’s degree, thus ensuring that the bachelor's programme in philosophy continues to produce sought-after graduates.

Major in philosophy

The academic degree of Bachelor of Arts is the first academic degree you can earn in philosophy. As such, it is an important professional qualification. During the bachelor's examination, our students are required to demonstrate that they possess the basic subject-specific knowledge required from graduates just about to transition to a professional role and that they have gained a good overview of their discipline.

The standard period of study for the bachelor’s programme in philosophy is six semesters. The programme is module-based and includes eight modules in total. You will earn a total of 180 ECTS credits. These are divided as follows:

• 120 credits (cr) for your major (modules 1-7)
• 20 credits (cr) for the work-related part (module 8)
• 40 credits (cr) for your minor

Examination regulations

Current versions of the following examination regulation documents (in German) are available on the pages of the Central Examination Office:

• General examination regulations for the humanities bachelor's programme B5.0
• Possible subject combinations (appendix A of the general examination regulations B5.01)
• Subject-specific regulations for the major in philosophy (appendix B of the general examination regulations) B5.2
• Subject-specific regulations for the minor in philosophy (appendix C of the general examination regulations) B.5.2.2
• Work-related qualifications (appendix D of the general examination regulations) B5.02

Application

If you are interested in the bachelor’s programme in philosophy, please contact the departmental student advisor or send your application directly to the university. Information about the application process is available on the University of Konstanz's homepage.

Change your study programme

If you are a student in the third or higher semester and would like to change your field of study: A mandatory requirement for admission to university and/or enrolment is that you attended a consultation with the departmental student advisory service (§ 60 para. 2 no. 5 Landeshochschulgesetz LHG (state law on higher education)). The form required for documentation is available on the pages of the departmental student advisory service and examination offices.

Recognition of previous studies, coursework and performance assessments

(1) Periods of study, coursework and performance assessments completed in the same study programme at another university or equivalent institution of higher education in Germany are recognised without having their equivalency assessed.

(2) Periods of study, coursework and performance assessments completed in other study programmes can be recognised if they are deemed equivalent. Periods of study, coursework and performance assessments should be recognised as equivalent if their content and volume as well as their admission requirements are equivalent to the requirements for the bachelor's programme in philosophy. Decisions should be based on an overall appraisal and evaluation, rather than a point-by-point comparison.

Course-related performance assessments

(1) Course-related performance assessments can be essays, presentations, class reports or examinations connected to a certain course. Oral examinations are permitted in exceptional circumstances. They are conducted by an examiner and an observer and last around 20-30 minutes. Written exams last approximately two to four hours. The course lecturer determines the examination format at the beginning of the semester and communicates it to his/her students. He/she can allow for exceptions if required. Presentations are held during the course. Oral and written course-related examinations take place on two dates each. The examination dates are announced in the courses at the beginning of each semester.

(2) The course-related performance assessments include at least three course-related term papers that must receive a minimum grade of “ausreichend/sufficient” (module 6). At the bachelor's level, term papers should be 12-15 pages long. Term papers are usually due by 31 March and/or 30 September at the latest.

Register for course examinations

All bachelor's students must register for performance assessments (exams, presentations, term papers, etc.) using ZEuS, the university's electronic student information system. The registration periods are identical for all humanities subjects:
Winter semester: 1 December - 15 January
Summer semester: 1 Mai - 15 June

During these periods, you can register for and withdraw from performance assessments. You will not be able to withdraw from a performance assessment after the deadline has expired. If you fail to sit an exam, do not hand in your term paper, etc., you will receive the grade “nicht bestanden/fail”. Please note that you will also not be able to register for a performance assessment after the deadline has expired.

Work-related courses

Information about currently offered courses are available under Study→While you study→Transferable skills.

Orientation test

The orientation test is a course-related performance assessment that all students must sit before the start of the lecture period of the third semester. It includes:

a) documentation of your course-related performance assessments. These include

(1) successful attendance of the following courses:

• introductory seminar “Logisch-Semantische Pädagogik” (logical-semantic propaedeutics) (module 1),
• core course “Grundbegriffe der praktischen Philosophie” (basic concepts in practical philosophy) (module 2)
• core course “Erkenntnistheorie” (epistemology) (module 3),
• one introductory seminar in the area history/philosophy classics (module 4),
• the introductory seminar “Einführung in das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten” (introduction to working scientifically) (module 8)

and

(2) a written term paper in a philosophy course (module 6).

As soon as the performance assessments named under a)(1) and a(2) have been completed and added to your record, you should make an appointment with a lecturer from the department (see below) and print out a transcript of your records available in ZEuS. Please bring along your transcript of records and the following confirmation to the b) mandatory consultation with your study advisor.

You can complete the orientation test with the following lecturers in the Department of Philosophy:

Practical work experience

(1) At some point during the lecture-free periods of your bachelor’s programme, you should complete an internship at an institution other than the university that should last for a minimum of eight weeks. You may apply to any private or public organisation in Germany or abroad that can provide you with insights into what professional life may look like for philosophy graduates. Practical work experience may be divided into no more than two stages.

(2) Practical work experience must be approved by the dean of studies in advance; also, you must obtain a certificate from your employer after the internship has ended. For approval and confirmation you need the following form (in German):

(3) Professional training or practical work experience completed before you began your studies can be recognised by the Examination Board (StPA) on request.

Further information as well as current internship opportunities are available on the

If you are interested in an internship abroad, you can find information on the following page:

Register for the bachelor's examination

You must register for your bachelor’s examination and for your final oral examination via

Information (e.g. registration dates for the bachelor’s examination) and forms are available

Please contact Ms. Pitscheider from the Examination Office (C 404, phone extension: 5622).

To register for your oral examination, you must submit one of the following forms to prove that you have completed the required coursework.

Proof of completed coursework in the BA in Philosophy (in German)

Please have the information you provide on the form confirmed by the director of the departmental administration, Dr Michael Kieninger (G 605).