Master in Philosophy

The specific qualitative requirements for the Master's program in Philosophy include a research-oriented scientific approach, a well-trained logical judgment, the ability to analytically reconstruct philosophical texts and problems, as well as advanced academic knowledge in the field of Theoretical Philosophy (e.g., epistemology, logic, metaphysics and ontology, philosophy of nature, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of science), or Practical Philosophy (e.g., ethics, political philosophy, social and economic philosophy), or the history of philosophy (e.g., ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, classical German philosophy, philosophy of the 19th and 20th centuries).

Additionally, a good command of academic German is required.

The basic requirement for enrollment in the Master's program in Philosophy is proof of a qualifying university degree or an equivalent degree from a domestic or foreign institution in a program lasting at least six semesters. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate subject-specific aptitude, which will be assessed through an aptitude evaluation process. The next application opportunity is for the winter semester 2025/26, with the application deadline set for July 15, 2025 (strict deadline (!); enrollment in the first semester is not possible in the summer semester). The following application documents must be submitted to the Department of Philosophy/Faculty 10 as part of the aptitude evaluation process:

• A tabular curriculum vitae (including date of birth, place of birth, and previous educational background).
• A Transcript of Records (a performance overview) with a signature and seal or an electronic signature from the responsible examination office or examination committee, detailing the individual academic achievements from the applicant's undergraduate studies. This transcript must show at least 150 earned ECTS credits or equivalent achievements (LMU students may submit an uncertified LSF grade report). If the Transcript of Records was not issued in German or English, a certified German translation must also be provided.
  • Additional university certificates and transcripts from prior studies may be included as supplementary proof of qualification.
  • A specific minimum grade point average is not required and does not need to be documented.
• An original philosophical writing sample written in German (essay, term paper, or thesis) with a minimum length of 15,000 characters (including spaces) from a philosophy-related previous study program. This writing sample must have been assessed as "passed" or at least "sufficient" in the previous study program (to verify that it was passed, it is sufficient to indicate in the cover letter which passed course in the Transcript of Records the writing sample corresponds to).
  • Alternatively, an independently prepared German translation of such a writing sample may be submitted. In this case, a declaration must be attached, stating that the translation was carried out independently and only with the use of the specified resources.

All documents may be submitted electronically via email to: Master.Philosophie@lrz.uni-muenchen.de. If submitting by email, please attach only PDF files (total attachment size: max. 5 MB) and include a brief cover letter (e.g., "I hereby apply..."). Submission via email is preferred. Alternatively, documents can also be sent by post to:

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Faculty 10 (Internal Mail F. 39)
Attn: Dr. Thomas Wyrwich
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
D-80539 Munich
Germany

The prerequisite for the assessment of subject-specific aptitude is the timely and complete submission of the required documents to the faculty. If the documents are incomplete or submitted late, no aptitude evaluation can be conducted.

Possible Courses and Outcomes of the Aptitude Evaluation:

1. Applicants whose documents indicate that they have earned fewer than 30 ECTS credits (or equivalent achievements) in philosophy are deemed not suitable for the LMU Master's program in Philosophy.
2. Applicants who have earned at least 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent achievements) in philosophy and have submitted an original philosophical writing sample in German that meets the specified requirements are deemed directly suitable for the LMU Master's program in Philosophy and receive an official aptitude confirmation.
3. Applicants who have earned between 30 and 59 ECTS credits (or equivalent achievements) in philosophy, or who have earned at least 30 ECTS credits (or equivalent achievements) in philosophy and submitted a German translation of a philosophical writing sample from their undergraduate studies, will have their writing sample or translation assessed based on the program’s specific requirements. This assessment can lead to one of three possible outcomes:

1. If the writing sample or translation is rated as "suitable" by a member of the selection committee, the applicant receives an official aptitude confirmation.
2. If the writing sample or translation is rated as "not suitable" by two members of the selection committee, the applicant receives a rejection notice.
3. If the writing sample or translation is rated as "possibly suitable" by a member of the selection committee, the applicant is invited to an interview with two committee members. This interview may, with the applicant's consent, be conducted via Zoom. The outcome of this interview determines the applicant’s subject-specific suitability.

The official codification of this procedure can be found in the LMU regulations on the aptitude evaluation for the Master's program in Philosophy, dated February 12, 2025.

International applicants (i.e. those who are neither German citizens, nor Bildungsinländer/-innen) must, in addition to and separately from their application to the faculty, apply by 15 July (2025) to the LMU International Office for admission to LMU. This requirement does not, however, apply to international students who are already studying at LMU and will complete their studies there. International applicants who have already successfully completed a first (German-language) degree at another German university are also exempt from this requirement. Both of the groups of students just mentioned can contact the Office of the Registrar directly (with a Master-Eignungsbescheid) to begin registration.

• Hausarbeit (term paper): around 40,000 characters
• Essay: around 12,000 characters
• Referat (presentation): around 15-30 minutes
• Protokoll Seminar: around 15,000 characters
• Protokoll Spezial-VL: around 20,000 characters
• Masterarbeit (MA thesis): around 150,000 and max. 300,000 characters (≈ 75 to max. 150 pages)

The final grade is calculated from the highest two grades achieved in the four compulsory Master seminars (weighting: 30); the highest grade achieved in the modules P 2 and P 3 (i.e. only the better of the two essay courses counts; weighting: 16); if applicable, grades from the Profile Area (Master double major study and study abroad are only evaluated as "pass"/"fail" and so do not count towards the final grade; weighting: 24) and the MA thesis grade plus the disputation grade (in proportion 5/6 to 1/6; weighting: 50). The MA thesis thus counts for about 50% of the final grade!

Explanation of the "weightings" and the final grade calculation with an example: All Profile Area points were earned in Philosophy modules. Final grade = 30*(average of the two highest grades achieved in the four compulsory modules) + 16*(P 2 or P 3 grade, whichever is higher) + 9*(Master seminar 1 Profile Area) + 9*(Master seminar 2 Profile Area) + 50*(MA thesis+disputation grade), all divided by 114.