Munich School of Philosophy

The Munich School of Philosophy follows the long educational tradition of the Jesuits, which has been valued around the world for over 400 years for the quality of its schools and universities. Founded in 1925 with the name Berchman College in Pullach at the gates of Munich – initially as a training center purely for new members of the order – the college’s move to the center of the Munich university quarter in 1971 was much more than just a change of location. It also brought with it state recognition of all qualifications and opening of the university to all students interested in a systematic education in philosophy.

You can study philosophy to learn to think. This is not to say that you will learn to think “the right way” in your philosophy course. Rather, it refers to the challenge of getting to grips with your own understanding of the world and values, comparing it with others, and finally being able to articulate and discuss it.

Philosophy attempts to find answers to questions that are hundreds of years old but yet still just as relevant today. One of the reasons for this is that such questions relate to the fundamentals of human existence and thinking. Each branch of philosophy examines a different facet.

Munich is known as a center of education and research in Germany. Moreover, Munich stands out due to its extensive selection of museums and cultural institutions. The Bavarian Alps can be reached easily from Munich and provide a wonderful selection of recreational opportunities.

Different philosophical movements, perspectives and methodological approaches have always been represented at the Munich School of Philosophy. This diversity is “state of the art” in philosophy and enables topical exchange between the different disciplines.

This is precisely why we place a high value on a broad basic education, which – unlike at other universities – first aims to cover the entire spectrum of philosophy. Whether studying for their Bachelor degree or their PhD, students generally need to have examined the following subjects:

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the right to hold the academic qualifications Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Magister Artium, Dr. phil. and Dr. phil. habil. is obtained by passing the relevant examination in accordance with the rules enacted by the university in agreement with the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts. All of these qualifications have the same significance as those awarded by the state universities. The Munich School of Philosophy is officially recognized as a non-state, academic university in the sense of Art. 76–85 BayHSchG (Bavarian University and College Act).

By virtue of the decrees of Sacra Congregation pro Institutione Catholica, Rome, of 7 June and 28 October 1971, as well as the approval of the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts by notice from 24 September 1971 and 17 November 1972, the Munich School of Philosophy is open to all students with higher education entrance qualification and can award the students with Baccalaureate in Philosophy and the academic qualifications Magister Artium in Philosophy (corresponds to the ecclesiastical licentiate) and Dr. phil. according to the relevant requirements.

On 24 July 1990, the Bavarian State Parliament awarded the Munich School of Philosophy the right to confer post-doctorates. On 24 July 2009, the Munich School of Philosophy’s recognition by the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts was changed to the effect that the Bachelor of Arts can also be conferred as an academic degree in the future. Since 19 June 2012, the Munich School of Philosophy can also award the title Master of Arts. With this, the Baccalaureate and Magister programs are being phased out.

The state-recognized and canonical programs of study Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Arts in Philosophy (consecutive) were accredited for the first time by the accreditation agency AKAST until 30 September 2019. The state-recognized postgraduate study course Master of Arts in Ethics was also accredited for the first time until 30 September 2019 by the accreditation agency ACQUIN.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the right to hold the academic qualifications Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Magister Artium, Dr. phil. and Dr. phil. habil. is obtained by passing the relevant examination in accordance with the rules enacted by the university in agreement with the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts. All of these qualifications have the same significance as those awarded by the state universities. The Munich School of Philosophy is officially recognized as a non-state, academic university in the sense of Art. 76–85 BayHSchG (Bavarian University and College Act).