Hochschule für Philosophie

Bayern, Germany

About Hochschule für Philosophie

Hochschule für Philosophie München (Munich School of Philosophy, HfPH) is Germany's only institution of higher education exclusively dedicated to philosophy. Founded in 1925 as a Jesuit seminary in Pullach, it moved to central Munich in 1971 and opened to non-Jesuit students. It is a state-recognised, church-affiliated private university run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), awarding fully accredited Bachelor, Master, PhD, and Habilitation degrees.

With approximately 450 enrolled degree students (around 11% international) and a further 150 non-matriculated PhD students and guests, the school maintains an exceptionally close lecturer-to-student ratio across 9 professorships. Research strengths include philosophy of religion, philosophical anthropology, ethics of artificial intelligence, and practical philosophy, supported by dedicated research centres such as the Zentrum für Globale Fragen.

The school occupies a single urban campus at Kaulbachstrasse 31/33 in Munich's university quarter, steps from the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the English Garden, and adjacent to LMU München and TU München.

Key facts

Founded: 1925
Students: 450
International: ~11% of enrolled students

Germany's only university exclusively focused on philosophy — unique in the German-speaking world

Jesuit-run, state-recognised private institution with 100-year tradition; degrees carry full state accreditation

Exceptionally low student-to-professor ratio across 9 professorships and ~450 enrolled students

Strong research in AI ethics, philosophy of religion, and philosophical anthropology

Erasmus+ partnerships in Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, and Croatia for exchange mobility

Central Munich location in the university quarter, minutes from LMU, TU München, and the English Garden

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees for standard degree programmes (Bachelor, Master in Philosophy, PhD). A semester contribution of €247 applies, comprising €150 administration fee and €97 student union fee. Specialised continuing-education programmes (Master of Ethics, certificates in Economic Ethics, Medical Ethics, and Ethics of Intercultural Dialogue) carry additional programme-specific tuition fees — amounts not published online; contact the institution directly. HfPH is a private church-affiliated institution; Bavaria's statutory non-EU tuition fee (introduced WS2025/26 for state universities) does not automatically apply here, but prospective non-EU students should confirm the current fee structure directly with HfPH before enrolling.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold an Abitur or recognised equivalent school-leaving qualification for bachelor entry, or a recognised bachelor's degree for master's/postgraduate entry. Documents must be translated into German or English. German language proficiency at C1 level (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4 in all four parts, Goethe C1, or SDI Deutsche Sprachprüfung II) is required for enrolment — not for the initial admission decision, allowing time to complete language preparation. Indian applicants whose prior qualification was awarded in India must hold a valid APS certificate (issued by the APS office at the German Embassy New Delhi) before the student visa can be issued. Enrolment is via the Campus Management System (hfph-application.academyfive.net). The Master in Philosophy carries restricted admission (Zulassungsbeschränkung). Erasmus+ exchange places are available for students from partner universities in Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, and Croatia.

Application deadlines

Semesters begin mid-October (winter) and mid-April (summer). Specific enrolment window dates are published each semester on the German-language schedule pages at hfph.de. Contact the student advisory office for current deadlines.

Languages of instruction

Primarily German (C1 required for enrolment in most programmes). One certificate programme (Ethics of Intercultural Dialogue) is taught in English with B2 required.

Campuses & locations

Munich Campus

Kaulbachstrasse 31/33, 80539 München — single urban campus in the university quarter near LMU and TU München

Living in Bayern

Munich (München) is Bavaria's capital and Germany's third-largest city, with a population of approximately 1.5 million. It hosts a dense concentration of universities including LMU München, TU München, and HM (Hochschule München), making it one of Europe's leading student cities. The cost of living is high by German standards — expect €900–1,200/month for rent, food, and transport. The city offers excellent public transport, a vibrant cultural scene, and proximity to the Alps.

Student life & support

HfPH has an active student representative body (StuVert), a dedicated philosophy library with OPAC catalogue, Moodle e-learning platform, IT support, and pastoral counselling. The campus is within walking distance of the English Garden, several museums, and the broader LMU/TU München student ecosystem. Study groups and philosophical discussion circles are a feature of the small, close-knit student community.

International Office: International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master