Courses are held in English. A small portion of courses is also offered in German, but these are not required. Thus, it is possible to finish the Master's degree with no knowledge of German.
Application from students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required)
Application from students from Germany and the EU
Prospective students applying from outside the EU must request a Preliminary Examination Documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying to the Master's programme. The processing time for the VPD takes up to eight weeks. Therefore, please allow enough time before applying for the programme. More information about applying for the VPD can be found on the central application pages.
The MA programme in Philosophy of Science is designed for students interested in acquiring an advanced analytic understanding of foundational and conceptual questions concerning the sciences. Among philosophical questions concerning the sciences and their role in contemporary society are the following: What is the nature of science? What distinguishes scientific activity from other human pursuits? Is the aim of science to discover fundamental truths about reality? How do sciences explain things? What role do values play in science? What is the place of science in modern cultures and societies? What role can and should scientific expertise play in a democratic society? Other philosophical questions concern individual sciences, including biology, climate science, medicine, physics, psychology, and sociology. The programme also offers some courses in core areas of general philosophy.
The MA programme is intended for students with a strong background in either philosophy or a science. The programme is very demanding. Excellent English language skills and prior experience with the critical analysis of academic texts are essential prerequisites, as is a desire to develop skills in rigorous analytical reasoning and normative deliberation.
Leibniz University Hannover provides a lively environment to study philosophy, in a vibrant urban setting in the heart of Germany. The Institute of Philosophy at Leibniz University Hannover is the largest department in philosophy of science in the German-speaking world, and it has a strong international and interdisciplinary orientation.
Instruction takes place in the form of lectures and seminars. For a list of required courses and the structure of the programme, see our website:
https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/studium/studienangebot/info/studiengang/detail/philosophy-of-science/
Approx. 400 EUR semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag")
The semester fee includes the following:
Compared with other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 850 EUR a month to cover your living expenses. The largest expense will be your monthly rent. In Hanover, the rent amounts to between 300 and 500 EUR per month.
Cost of studying at Leibniz University Hannover:
http://go.lu-h.de/study-costs
General information on the cost of studying in Germany:
https://www.study-in.de/en/plan-your-stay/money-and-costs/cost-of-living_28220.php
Although tuition fees no longer exist in Lower Saxony, costs are indeed incurred at university, such as the semester fee, accommodation and living costs, and costs for learning materials. Here you will find possibilities to help you finance your studies:
www.uni-hannover.de/en/studium/finanzierung-foerderung
Deutschlandstipendium:
go.lu-h.de/deutschlandstipendium
Niedersachsenstipendium:
go.lu-h.de/niedersachsenstipendium
A Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credit points from within the European Union (EU), or an equivalent degree from outside the EU
For admission to the Master's programme in Philosophy of Science, an English proficiency level of at least B2 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required. Evidence of this can be provided by means of the UNIcert® II Zertifikat or the following scores in other English proficiency tests: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 98, TOEFL PBT 597, or FCE (First Certificate in English).
An English proficiency test is NOT required for students who (i) are native German speakers; (ii) are native English speakers, i.e., citizens of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (with the exception of Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, or the United States of America; or (iii) who have obtained their secondary education in English for at least three years.
Application from students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required)
Application from students from Germany and the EU
Prospective students applying from outside the EU must request a Preliminary Examination Documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying to the Master's programme. The processing time for the VPD takes up to eight weeks. Therefore, please allow enough time before applying for the programme. More information about applying for the VPD can be found on the central application pages.
Applicants from non-EU countries can only apply with a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist. You must apply for this at uni-assist at least eight weeks before the application deadline for the study programme expires - take this into account when planning your application! For more information, please visit our website.
There are many job opportunities for students on campus (in the different departments, the central administration, etc.) and off campus. About two-thirds of our students work at part-time jobs while pursuing their studies.
Internal job postings:
https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/universitaet/stellenangebote-arbeit-an-der-uni/jobboerse
Student jobs outside of the university:
jobbico Uni Hannover
Links on housing in Hanover (including a video about housing in Hanover for international students)
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