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How much does Munich School of Philosophy cost for international students?
The Munich School of Philosophy charges no tuition fees for the Bachelor in Philosophy, the consecutive Master in Philosophy or the doctorate. This applies to EU and non-EU students alike. Each semester you pay only an administrative fee and the basic fee of the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern, the local student services organisation.
| Item | Cost for international students |
|---|---|
| Tuition, Bachelor and Master in Philosophy | None |
| Administrative fee | 150 EUR per semester |
| Studierendenwerk basic fee | 97 EUR per semester |
| Total per semester | About 247 EUR |
Munich no longer has a compulsory semester ticket, so public transport is not included; students usually buy a discounted Deutschlandticket separately. HFPH's own programme pages still mention a semester-ticket contribution, so please confirm the current total with HFPH before you enrol. The part-time continuing-education Master in Ethics and the certificate programmes charge their own fees.
Even without tuition, the proof of funds still applies. For the student visa you need to show 11,904 EUR for the year, usually in a blocked account, and that money has to be transferred months before the semester starts.
What are the application deadlines?
| Programme | Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Philosophy (open admission) | Winter | Enrolment 1–30 September |
| Bachelor in Philosophy (open admission) | Summer | Enrolment 1–31 March |
| Master in Philosophy (restricted admission) | Winter only | Application by 15 September, then enrolment in September/October |
These enrolment periods are just before the semester starts, which is too late to begin a visa application. If you have a foreign school-leaving certificate or degree, contact the HFPH study advisory service (studienberatung@hfph.de) several months in advance so your documents can be checked and you can plan your visa in time.
How do you apply to Munich School of Philosophy?
Contact the study advisory service
Send your latest school certificates (and any degree certificates with transcripts), a copy of your passport, your CV and your German certificate to the study advisory service, with German or English translations if needed. They check whether your qualifications give you access to study.
Prove your German
You need German at C1 level, for example DSH-2, TestDaF with at least 4 in all parts, Goethe-Institut C1, or the SDI Munich Deutsche Sprachprüfung II.
Apply or enrol online
Use the HFPH application and enrolment portal. For the Master, apply by 15 September; you need a first degree that includes philosophy studies.
Arrange health insurance
A German public health insurer must report your insurance status to HFPH electronically before you can enrol. This also applies if you have private insurance.
Pay the semester fees
Pay the administrative fee and the Studierendenwerk fee to complete your enrolment.
How many programmes are taught in English?
No degree programme at the Munich School of Philosophy is taught in English. The Bachelor and Master in Philosophy are taught in German, and good English reading skills are expected because many texts are in English. The university also offers a doctorate, a part-time continuing-education Master in Ethics and several certificate and module programmes; these are not suitable for a student visa.
About Munich School of Philosophy
The Hochschule für Philosophie München is the philosophy faculty of the Jesuit order (Philosophische Fakultät SJ). It was founded in 1925 as the Berchmanskolleg in Pullach, near Munich, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. Its Bachelor and Master degrees are recognised by both the state and the church, and the university is open to students of any religion or worldview.
It specialises in philosophy and ethics, with a Bachelor in Philosophy, a Master in Philosophy, a doctorate and continuing-education programmes in applied ethics. It had 379 students in winter 2024/25. The campus is on Kaulbachstraße in central Munich, near the English Garden and LMU.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Munich School of Philosophy free to study at?
There is no tuition for the Bachelor and Master in Philosophy. You pay about 247 EUR per semester for the administrative fee and the Studierendenwerk fee. You still need to show 11,904 EUR per year for your visa, usually in a blocked account.
Can I study at the Munich School of Philosophy in English?
No. All degree programmes are taught in German, and international applicants need German at C1 level (for example DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 in all parts).
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