Students develop the ability to transfer knowledge across disciplines, conduct independent research, and develop their own perspectives on a range of exemplary problems. They also learn to recognize and understand scientific, social, political, historical, and economic contexts in all their diversity, and to communicate these perspectives to others while maintaining a critical distance from their own position.

In the Liberal Arts & Sciences programme, students develop and deepen their ability to think across disciplines and make connections between different fields of knowledge. They apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts, develop innovative approaches to contemporary challenges, and engage with questions of democratic coexistence.

Throughout the programme, students acquire a broad range of media, digital, artistic, and scientific communication skills. They develop trans- and interdisciplinary competencies that enable them to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives and understand the connections between them.

The Liberal Arts & Sciences programme is designed to be completed in eight semesters (240 ECTS) and consists of the following components:

• First year: A shared foundation year with introductory modules
• Major: 
  • Science and Society 
  • Medical and Health Humanities
• Minor: A freely chosen complementary field of study from the UHH's selection of minors. 
• Subject-specific electives: A selection of courses within or related to the chosen field.
• Crossdisciplinary Learning: Interdisciplinary courses that broaden and complement the programme.

Graduates of the program acquire knowledge that qualifies them for career paths and professional fields in which intellectual flexibility, complex thinking, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to social issues are essential—for example, in the areas of political foundations and political education, in arts and cultural institutions, social organizations, or international organizations, as well as in publishing or journalism.

Successful completion of the bachelor’s program is also a prerequisite for admission to a subject-specific or interdisciplinary master’s program. Students can consult with faculty members at the Institute for Liberal Arts & Sciences for advice on choosing a suitable master’s program.

The program is oriented toward the ideal of a broad and, at the same time, critical education. Faculty and students work together on fundamental questions such as:

• What does the climate crisis mean for the sciences and for social life, and what are the impacts of the global pandemic?
• How can societies balance technological innovation with ethical and political considerations, and how can an understanding of the history of knowledge and science help us navigate these challenges?
• What ways of thinking and acting can help us understand and address the growing divisions within society?
• How can we reflect on the trends of globalization, acceleration, social exhaustion, and growing uncertainty, and what role do literature, theater, and the visual arts play in this?

 Addressing these questions requires an interdisciplinary perspective, as well as new forms of interdisciplinary dialogue, reflection, and collaborative project work.

• Start of the degree program: The LAS degree program starts in the winter semester. For further information for international students please refer to the CampusCenter.
• Admission Requirements: There are no program-specific admission requirements. However, since the majority of courses are taught in German, a German level of C1 is required.
• Admission Restrictions: The number of available spots is limited. Admission to the program is based on the grade on the high school diploma (NC). General information on the NC can be found at the university’s CampusCenter. The NC cutoff scores for admission to the previous winter semester can be found here.
• Application Process: Applications are submitted via the application portal in STiNE.

International Students

The program is taught primarily in German. Prospective international students can contact the Campus Center with any questions regarding the application process. 

Erasmus+

The LAS degree program has several Erasmus partnerships with universities in France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Further information can be found here.