International Programmes 2023/2024

MA in Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Science

Leibniz University Hannover • Hannover

Degree
Master of Arts
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

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.

Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter and summer semester
Application deadline

Application deadline for EU applicants:

  • 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester
  • 1 December to 15 January for the following summer semester

Application deadline for non-EU applicants:

  • 15 April to 31 May for the following winter semester
  • 15 October to 30 November of the previous year for the following summer semester
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

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 Universität Hannover provides a lively environment to study philosophy, in a vibrant urban setting in the heart of Germany. The Institute of Philosophy at Leibniz Universität Hannover is the largest department in philosophy of science in the German-speaking world, and it has a strong international and interdisciplinary orientation.

Course organisation

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/

International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Courses are led with foreign partners
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Approx. 400 EUR semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag")
The semester fee includes the following:

  • Contribution to the "Studentenwerk Hannover" (student services organisation)
  • Contribution to the student government (Student Union, AStA)
  • Semester ticket
  • Contribution to administrative costs for the Federal State of Lower Saxony

http://go.lu-h.de/study-costs

Costs of living

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

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

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

For Water Resources and Environmental Management:
go.lu-h.de/WATENV-funding

Academic admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credit points from within the European Union (EU), or an equivalent degree from outside the EU

Language requirements

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 deadline

Application deadline for EU applicants:

  • 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester
  • 1 December to 15 January for the following summer semester

Application deadline for non-EU applicants:

  • 15 April to 31 May for the following winter semester
  • 15 October to 30 November of the previous year for the following summer semester
Submit application to

Please see here.

Possibility of finding part-time employment

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

Accommodation

Links on housing in Hanover (including a video about housing in Hanover for international students)

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation

Leibniz University Hannover

University location

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