- Degree
- Master of Arts
- Course location
- Hannover
- 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 from students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required (https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/studium/vor-dem-studium/bewerbung-zulassung/studienplatzbewerbung/master-application-for-prospective-students-from-outside-the-eu#c81300).)
• 15 April to 31 May of the year for the winter semester
• 15 October to 30 November of the previous year for the summer semester
Application from students from Germany and the EU
• 1 June to 15 July of the year for the winter semester
• 1 December to 15 January of the year for the summer semester
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 (https://go.lu-h.de/apply-for-vpd).
- 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 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.