Philosophy

This page has been machine translated.
Key facts
Degree
First State Exam High School
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
10 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
300
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 305,05
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Arts
Institute of Philosophy de
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

Ethics is a subject taught both at mainstream schools (Ethics degree) and at grammar schools (Philosophy degree). It covers issues from Philosophy, Religion and Religious Studies. In the teacher training programme, you will deal with the basic disciplines of Philosophy, which take up the main part of the programme, and the great philosophers of the Western tradition. You will deal with human behaviour, human life and coexistence and the position of humans in the world, in nature, society and History. You will sharpen and refine your own judgement in relation to these questions and develop your own well-founded view. On this basis, you will be able to organise the teaching of ethical topics and problems in school lessons. Please note the general information on the teacher training programme (course structure, requirements, prospects, preparatory work placement, school placement semester).

Structure

You complete the teacher training programme at the University of Jena with the First State Examination. The standard period of study|regular programme length is ten semesters in total, during which various types of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules. The teacher training programme is based on the Jena model, which is characterised by a five-monthExternal link school placement semesterExternal link in the fifth or sixth semester.

As a future teacher, you will study two subjects on an equal footing at the University of Jena and round off your pedagogical profile with an accompanying Educational Science programme. A total of 300 credit points (ECTS)|ECTS credits (1 ECTS = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work|follow-up activity, study and assessed coursework and examinations) must be earned.

Further information on the structure of the teacher training course in Jena can be obtained from the Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research.

Why study in Jena?

Friedrich Schiller University Jena can look back on a long and diverse tradition. Thinkers such as Leibniz, Humboldt, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Hölderlin, Schopenhauer, Marx and Frege, to name but a few, lived, studied, completed their doctorates or taught here. The Institute of Philosophy is just as committed to this tradition as it is to current research questions and debates. This is reflected in the research interests of the teaching staff, numerous conferences and congresses, national and international collaborations and the broad range of courses (offered), which have numerous points of contact with other subjects at the university. At the Institute of Philosophy, which is located in the city centre in an idyllic garden, there is a personal working atmosphere that allows for an intensive exchange of ideas between teaching staff and students.

Further reasons for studying at our instituteExternal link

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

  • General education: The typical route into school practice is via the preparatory service (traineeship). In this phase, you will further develop your practical teaching skills on the basis of your degree.

  • Adult education: Outside of the school system, there are opportunities for you to work as a teacher in the subject) area|field of adult education.

The teaching degree completed in Thuringia is recognised|to credit in all other federal states upon formal request to the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. You can apply to the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of other federal states both for the preparatory service (Referendariat) and for employment in the teaching profession (after completing the second state examination). You can obtain more detailed information on this from the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

The requirement for studying Philosophy for the teaching profession is an interest in fundamental questions and their precise linguistic and conceptual presentation. You should also enjoy educating and training children and young people, encouraging and guiding them to reflect. A sound general education and a willingness to study texts intensively, to question supposedly self-evident facts and to work independently are also required.

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    Knowledge of three foreign languages, including English and Latin or Greek at least at the level of the “minor Latinum” (equivalent to two courses in Latin at the FSU Language Center or two courses in Greek at the Institute of Classical Studies) should be available at the beginning of the course if possible. Language skills will be tested when registering for the modules MA-Phi 1.1 or MA-Phi 1.2.

  • Initial internship

    In Jena, the teacher training course includes an introductory internship de lasting 240 hours. You should reflect on your educational experience in dealing with children and young people in order to review your career aspirations and make a conscious decision. It makes sense to complete the introductory internship before starting your studies, but it can also be completed before registering for the internship semester (before the start of the third semester). You can also have work you have already done with children and young people recognized.

Contacts

Academic Advisory Service - Dr. Mario Ziegler

Room E001
Zwätzengasse 9
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Advisory Service - Dr. Daniel Kersting

Room 1. OG 02
Zwätzengasse 9
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research

Room E010
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Zentrum für Lehrerbildung und Bildungsforschung
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena

Student Tutor for Teacher Training

Room StuRa-Arbeitsraum
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
ATTENTION:
In the period 11.08.-12.09.2025, the information desk is open for very urgent personal matters on Monday 10 am - 12 noon and Thursday 1 pm - 3 pm.
The information desk will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday!
Please use the ServiceDesk for your concerns. Thank you very much.

Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65) - outside the above-mentioned period:

Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link