The Bachelor’s programme in Philosophy at the University of Vienna enables students to critically analyse and interpret philosophical work and concepts, as well as to systematically conceptualise and evaluate philosophical problems. This degree programme prompts students to question and profoundly think about classical and current philosophical issues and to join the discourse concerning philosophical problems – the problems deeply rooted in the experiences of human existence.

The Bachelor’s programme in Philosophy means to provide students with the necessary competencies to understand philosophical discourse. Philosophical competency is of great value to individual and societal development, and entails the ability to work in accordance with academic standards. Moreover, philosophical competency allows students to approach societal, technological, political, or scientific issues and developments in an open-minded, but critical manner. Thus, philosophy takes on an indispensable mediating role in societal, political, and (inter)disciplinary scientific discourse.

This understanding of philosophy and its role as a discipline is reflected in the module-based programme curriculum. Basic modules provide students with the foundations of philosophical work and introduce them to different philosophical concepts, schools of thought, methods, and disciplines. Advanced and extension modules allow students to specialise and to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of philosophy, as well as to apply this knowledge to subject-specific academic, and to practical and societal contexts.

As the very nature of philosophy is many-faceted, this degree programme does not equip students to follow a narrow or specific career path, but rather means to provide fundamental and profound skills and competencies. Students may continue their studies and enrol in the Master’s programme in Philosophy, or pursue other academic and non-academic career paths. Due to the basic competencies and skills of argumentation and communication, the ability to systematically approach and analyse complex structures or situations, as well as to reflect on and transcend personal or individual patterns of thinking and decision making, graduates of the Bachelor’s programme in Philosophy are suited to work in a variety of different fields. This may include the work in non-university research institutions, as well as further education and training or work in the areas of adult education, science and cultural management, media, publishing, and science writing, or consulting.