Study Philosophy, Business, and Economics

Bachelor's Program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Number of credits: at least 180 ECTS credits
Standard period of study: 6 semesters (3 years)
Program language: German, English
Faculty: School of Humanities
Reminder for application deadline
Eine Studentin sitzt an einem großen Fenster. Eine andere Studentin steht im Vordergrund.
  • Additional program facts and information

    Language proficiency
    You need to be proficient in German (see “Application and selection”). In addition, a good level of English proficiency is recommended.

    Program start
    Fall semester (September)
    Academic calendar

    Semester fee: EUR 194 (more information)
    Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: EUR 1,500
    Tuition fees for a second degree: EUR 650

    Possible master’s programs
    There are various master’s programs you can study after successfully completing a bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy. You can pursue a master’s degree in Culture and Economy: Philosophy or in Business Administration/Economics.

    Master’s programs focusing on business administration: 
    If you plan to continue your studies with one of the following master’s programs, you should take the corresponding optional specialization module in the bachelor’s program (see selection statutes).

    Master’s program focusing on economics: 
    To qualify for this program, you have to take the “Vertiefung Volkswirtschaftslehre” module while studying the bachelor’s program (see selection statutes).

  • Program overview

    The bachelor's program in Culture and Economy is a combined degree program that brings together different subjects and academic cultures: a core subject in cultural studies from the School of Humanities and a combination major in Economics or Business Administration. The two subjects are linked, inter alia, by language practice courses focusing on Business Administration and Economics.

    Philosophy as a core subject addresses the self-identity of humans, their relationships with the world, and basic questions concerning human coexistence. The program focuses on the history of philosophy (from Aristotle and Kant to Heidegger), practical philosophy, and ethics (ethical and moral philosophical questions focusing on business ethics).

    For your combination major, you can choose between Business Administration and Economics.

    • If you choose Business Administration, you will attend introductory courses on finance, marketing, management, business informatics, accounting, and production. The University of Mannheim places a strong emphasis on business ethics by offering corresponding courses.
    • If you choose Economics, you will not only learn the fundamentals of economics but also acquire knowledge in the fields of analysis, statistics, and micro- and macroeconomics. Another particularity of this combination major is that it also includes economic history.

    Distribution of ECTS credits
    You will complete at least 180 ECTS credits in Philosophy and at least 60 ECTS credits in your combination major.

  • Why study the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy at the University of Mannheim?

    Unique combination
    The combination of culture and economy in a single program is unique in Germany. Earning a double qualification in the humanities and Business Administration/Economics broadens students’ horizons. Therefore, our graduates are highly sought after on both national and international job markets. 

    Exciting combination: business and ethics
    The focus on business ethics at the University of Mannheim facilitates a close connection between Philosophy, Business Administration, and Economics in this program. Courses offered by the department cover topics such as wealth and poverty, equal distribution, fair taxation, basic income, and economic migration.

    International focus
    With 450 partner universities and students from 100 countries, Mannheim is one of the most international universities in the country and provides students with an inspiring learning environment that facilitates excellent teaching and research.

    Working in small groups and good student-teacher ratio
    Students at the School of Humanities value the ability to work interactively in small groups and the favorable student-teacher ratio. The program managers will be happy to answer any questions you may have about organizing your studies. Academic advisors and teachers at the relevant department will help you with any questions about the program.

  • Career opportunities

    The bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy trains you to become a sought-after all-rounder with broad cultural and economic expertise, problem-solving skills, and flexible thinking. You can analyze complex issues and develop value-based solutions. This opens up a wide range of career opportunities for you:

    Fields of activity related to cultural studies and the humanities

    • Marketing
    • Communications, public relations
    • Media, journalism
    • Cultural management

    Fields of activity related to economics and business administration

    • Sales
    • Procurement
    • Customer service
    • Human resources

    In addition, the integrated career-oriented module Wirtschaftskommunikation equips you with high-level communication skills and builds a bridge between the two subjects. It spotlights possible career opportunities and promotes insights into interesting areas of work as well as an early practical orientation. 

    Graduates having studied a combination of Philosophy and Business Administration/Economics are particularly in demand in the field of corporate social responsibility. A degree in Philosophy opens up various additional career options: You can work not only in (scientific) journalism or the cultural sector but also as an editor or coordinator. After completing your master’s degree, you can also pursue an academic career in Philosophy, Economics, or Business Administration.

  • Studying abroad and internships

    Studying abroad
    The School of Humanities maintains collaborations with more than 150 partner universities worldwide. Our team for international affairs will support you in planning a stay abroad. The perfect time for students to go abroad is the fourth or fifth subject-specific semester, but individual arrangements are possible. Studying abroad to enhance your intercultural competencies is recommended but not mandatory when studying this program. We also offer field trips and interdisciplinary seminars in cooperation with international universities.

    Internships
    A six-week internship in Germany or abroad is an integral part of your studies. Further information and points of contact for all questions relating to internships and career entry can be found on the website of the School of Humanities.

  • Interests and skills

    If you wish to study Culture and Economy: Philosophy, you should 

    • be interested in philosophical questions,
    • have a very good level of German and a good level of English proficiency,
    • be curious and able to motivate yourself and have perseverance,
    • be interested in scientific methods and theories,
    • enjoy reading, writing, and engaging in discussions,
    • like to critically question and reflect on various topics,
    • be interested in presenting theses and content.

    For the combination major in Business Administration, you should be enthusiastic about marketing and management as well as business ethics and have good mathematical skills.

    For the combination major in Economics, you should have very good mathematical skills and be interested in statistics and politics. You should be prepared to acquire and apply a lot of new knowledge within a short period of time.

  • Financing and funding

    Scholarships
    The University of Mannheim offers various scholarships. This funding enables you to focus on your academic achievements and continue your voluntary work alongside your studies. 
    Scholarship overview 
    Funding opportunities for international degree-seeking students

    Financial aid for students 
    The Studierendenwerk is the first place to contact if you have any questions on how to finance your studies. They will give you advice on BAföG and tell you about other funding options.
    Go to the Studierendenwerk

  • Application and selection

    Important information on the awarding of study places

    • For your application to be successful, you must apply in due time and form and fulfill the admission requirements for your chosen program of study.
    • If a program of study is selective, the selection criteria set out in the relevant selection statutes apply in addition to the admission requirements. The University of Mannheim does not apply a numerus clausus system (grade-point average for admission to certain programs of study).
    • All of our bachelor's programs require German language skills. If you do not have a German university entrance qualification (Abitur or equivalent qualification), you must submit proof of proficiency in German at C1 level

    The bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy is currently selective. The following selection criteria are taken into account:

    • grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification
    • the grades achieved in German and Mathematics
    • relevant practical work experience as well as extracurricular qualifications and activities

    Application period

    • Selective programs: from 1 June until 15 July
    • Non-selective programs: from 1 June until 31 August

Program structure

For your combination major, you can choose between Business Administration (Option 1) and Economics (Option 2). You will study only one of these options.

Semester 1

  • Philosophy
  • Lecture: Geschichte der Philosophie
  • Exercise course: Philosophisches Denken und Argumentieren
  • Exercise course: Lesen und Schreiben philosophischer Texte
  • Business Administration
  • Lecture: Finanz­mathematik
  • Lecture: Quanti­tative Methoden
  • Lecture: Marketing

Semester 2

  • Philosophy
  • Lecture: Angewandte Ethik und Politische Philosophie
  • Introductory seminar: Theoretische Philosophie
  • Exercise course: Formale Logik
  • Business Administration
  • Exercise course: Current Topics UK/US
  • Lecture: Grundlagen des externen Rechnungs­wesens
  • Lecture: Management

Semester 3

  • Philosophy
  • Lecture: Theoretische Philosophie
  • Introductory seminar: Praktische Philosophie
  • Exercise course: Allgemeine Ethik
  • Business Administration
  • Exercise course: Intercultural Business Communication
  • Lecture: Finanz­wirtschaft
  • Lecture: Produktion

Semester 4

  • Philosophy
  • Introductory seminar: Philosophie und Wirtschaft
  • Advanced seminar: Theoretische Philosophie
  • Advanced seminar: Praktische Philosophie
  • Exercise course: Career Skills
  • Internship
  • Business Administration
  • Lecture: Internes Rechnungs­wesen
  • Lecture: Wirtschafts­informatik

Semester 5

  • Philosophy
  • Advanced seminar: elective
  • International Cultural Studies
  • Seminar/lecture: Interdisziplinäre Kulturwissenschaft
  • Business Administration
  • Lecture: Unter­nehmens­ethik

Semester 6

  • Philosophy
  • Advanced seminar: Philosophie und Wirtschaft
  • Exercise course: Business Translation
  • Bachelor's thesis
  • Final oral examination

Course names are listed in the original language.

Portrait of Luisa Gehm. She is wearing a dark turtleneck sweater and subtle gold jewelry. She has brown eyes, and her brown hair is a bit longer than shoulder length. She also has meticulously cut bangs.

I chose the bachelor's program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy at the University of Mannheim, because I was looking for an interdisciplinary program that combines Philosophy with another subject—in my case Economics—and enables insights into other disciplines. The bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy provides precisely such insights into other disciplines as part of the “Interdisziplinäre Kulturwissenschaft” module. I also particularly like the fact that the interface between Philosophy and Economics and Business Administration is addressed in the “Philosophie und Wirtschaft” seminars. In addition, the Department of Philosophy at the university has a very family-like character and offers the opportunity to come into close contact with students and teachers at various events. In this way, I have already been able to take part in many exciting discussions.

Luisa Gehm, student of the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy
Anna Wildhirt has long blond hair. She is wearing a beige jacket with a white blouse underneath.

At the University of Mannheim, I was able to combine my passion for Philosophy with Business Administration, which made for really diverse studies. At the same time, I learned that there are always multiple answers to one and the same question. The ability to view things from different angles forms the core of my academic education.

Anna Wildhirt, graduate of the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy
Marie-Aimée Salopiata has chin-length blond curly hair and is smiling. She is wearing a black turtleneck sweater.

I came to the University of Mannheim because combining Philosophy with Economics seemed very attractive to me. My expectations were not disappointed: The Philosophy portion of the program teaches you how to approach intriguing questions independently and in a structured manner and how to explore them in depth. When you are a little farther along in your studies, you can choose freely from the available courses, which allows you to tailor the program to your personal interests. Apart from that, I also value the intimate atmosphere at the Department of Philosophy and the fact that you will always find people to exchange opinions with about all sorts of topics. The combination with Economics is a perfect fit. Students at the University of Mannheim can also benefit from a unique opportunity: Those who have completed a specialization module including all introductory courses from the bachelor’s program in Economics qualify for the master’s program in Economics.

Marie-Aimée Salopiata, graduate of the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy
Fabian Jung has short dark brown hair. He has a beard and is wearing glasses.

I particularly liked that I got on really well with my fellow students and teachers—it was almost like we were family. We had a lot of discussions over the course of the program, which taught me to think logically, to reflect critically on my arguments, and to be more precise. Through my combination major, I was able to gain a thorough understanding of Economics. The courses on political philosophy and business ethics went really well together and gave me a great starting point for my master’s program in International Relations.

Fabian Jung, graduate of the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Philosophy and student of the master’s program in International Relations—European Studies in Budapest

Insights into studying Culture and Economy

Michelle is studying Culture and Economy at the University of Mannheim and shows her everyday life as a bachelor’s student at the School of Humanities.


Contact

Caterina Katzer hat braune lange Haare und ein Pony. Sie trägt ein blau-weiß-gestreiftes Oberteil.

Caterina Katzer (she/her)

Program Manager Bachelor of Arts
University of Mannheim
School of Humanities
Schloss – Room EO 282
68161 Mannheim
Consultation hour(s):
Tue 10–12 a.m.
Open consultation hours in room 282

Wed 10–12 a.m.
Online consultation hours – please make an appointment via https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/academics/virtual-office-hours/
Angelika Konrad-Schineller auf dem Ehrenhof

Dr. Angelika Konrad-Schineller

Program Manager Bachelor of Arts
University of Mannheim
School of Humanities
Schloss – Room EO 282
68161 Mannheim
Consultation hour(s):
Tue 10–12 a.m.
Open consultation hours in room 282

Wed 10–12 a.m.
Online consultation hours – please make an appointment via https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/academics/virtual-office-hours/
University building L1 in front of a blue sky

Admissions Office