MA in Philosophy of Science

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/

Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source

1. Winter semester

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2. Summer semester

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English

E.G. UNIcert® English: UNIcert® II telc English: telc English B2-C1 University PTE Academic: 59 Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First IELTS Academic: 5.5 TOEFL iBT (since 2026): 4 Reading: 4 Listening: 4 Speaking: 4 Writing: 4 TOEFL iBT Home Edition (since 2026): 4 Reading: 4 Listening: 4 Speaking: 4 Writing: 4

Prerequisites

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

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