English and American Studies University of Bayreuth

Courses in the major are all taught in English, and students write their course work and the BA thesis in English. Depending on the minor, courses in the minor are taught in German.

The English and American Studies degree programme provides students with fundamental knowledge in literature, cultural studies, and linguistics, focusing on the Anglophone world. The University of Bayreuth, whose humanities and social sciences participate actively in the "Africa Multiple" Cluster of Excellence, emphasises interdisciplinary and transcultural approaches. Graduates from the programme will be able to participate in the ever more necessary economic and cultural exchange between nations.

Structure and contents

In the course of their studies, students choose one of three areas of specialisation:

• English studies (emphasis on English literature and cultural studies)
• American Studies (emphasis on American literary and cultural studies)
• Linguistics (focus on English linguistics)

In addition, the course offers elective modules (e.g. research communication, interdisciplinary orientation, or an additional foreign language) as well as a range of minor subjects that further increase multidisciplinary competence. The programme allows you to put together a curriculum that suits your needs and objectives within this framework.

Find more information on the programme here (in German).

You are building your profile – the minor.

Right at the beginning of your studies, when you enrol in the English and American Studies Bachelor's programme, you will select a minor worth 49 credit points. The minor is fully integrated into the course of study. Minor subjects interconnect areas of expertise or broaden subject-specific competencies. One thing you need to know right from the beginning: most minors are taught in German, so an excellent command (B2) of both German and English is a requirement for entering the programme.

For the English and American Studies Bachelor's programme, you can choose from the following minors:

• African Verbal and Visual Arts (Languages, Literatures, Media, and Art)
• Applied Computer Science – Multimedia
• Arabic and Islamic Language and Culture Studies
• Didactics of German as a Second Language
• German Studies
• History
• Intercultural German Studies (German as a Foreign Language)
• Law
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Theatre Didactics
• Theatre Studies
• Economic and Social Geography
• Economics

Application for EU citizens
15 April to mid-October (winter semester)

Application for non-EU citizens
15 April to 15 July (winter semester)

The programme in the major is built upon four module areas:

1. Foundational Studies ("Fachwissenschaftliche Grundlagen", 40 CP)
2. Specialised Studies ("Fachwissenschaftliche Spezialisierung", 37 CP)
3. Language Proficiency in English ("Sprachpraktische Ausbildung", 24 CP)
4. Interdisciplinary Competencies ("Fachübergreifende Kompetenzen", 30 CP)

Depending on the interests and objectives of individual students, interdisciplinary competencies provide connections to other fields of study, or they give students the opportunity to acquire competence in another language. This module area also contains a choice between an internship or study abroad (individually organised with help from career services or the international office).

The programme offers a choice between an internship or a semester abroad. Students have the option to do both.

No tuition fees

In Bayreuth, students do not have to pay any tuition fees.

They pay a semester contribution. It covers your contributions to student services and the student government. Attending the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach) includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transportation in the region. The semester contribution is 163.04 EUR per semester.

The costs of living in Germany, e.g. living, food, clothing, and activities, are about average compared to other European countries. The city of Bayreuth, compared to other large German cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg), offers a uniquely attractive combination: low cost of living, affordable housing, and a high quality of life. This makes Bayreuth especially appealing to students, young professionals and families. Whether it's outdoor sports in the nearby Fichtelgebirge, cultural highlights like the world-famous Festival, or the rich culinary scene – the city offers a rich variety of experiences right at your doorstep. 

Bayreuth combines affordability with vibrancy – making it easy to study, live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here is an example: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/cost-of-living.

International applicants: A higher education (university) entrance qualification (e.g. A-level, Baccalauréat, Abitur).

German applicants: "Allgemeine" or "einschlägige fachgebundene Hochschulreife" or "berufliche Qualifikation"

Excellent competence in English is a prerequisite, but it is assumed to be part of secondary school training. German level B2 is a requirement to enter the programme (due to study regulations for all programmes that have German components).

Application for EU citizens
15 April to mid-October (winter semester)

Application for non-EU citizens
15 April to 15 July (winter semester)

Scholarships for international students: International students and doctoral researchers have the opportunity to apply for a study grant at the International Office. Limited funding from the State of Bavaria and the DAAD is available for this purpose. The application deadline for the winter semester is 31 August and for the summer semester 28 February. All grants can be awarded for up to two semesters.

Unfortunately, first-semester students cannot be funded, i.e. applications cannot be submitted until the second semester of study for funding starting in the third semester of study. Above all, academic achievements from the previous semester are decisive for the evaluation of the application.

There are many ways for international students to earn money while they study, but there are some restrictions. For more detailed information, please visit the DAAD website.

The University of Bayreuth’s Career Services team provides a central interface between student and professional life. The team offers guidance and support to students of all subjects with regard to starting their careers.

Accommodation for students
Bayreuth and Kulmbach have a number of student dormitories (both private dormitories and dormitories offered by the Association for Student Affairs) and a vast array of private rooms available. Under no circumstances should you assume that you will be assigned a room in the student dormitories! You will need to actively search for a room on your own – either in a private dormitory or on the private market.

More information regarding accommodation for students is available here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/accommodation. Please also read the DAAD’s information.

Accommodation for international guests
All other international guests are requested to register via the Welcome Services Database (WelSe).

Accommodation for short visits
For short visits, we recommend searching for accommodation on Airbnb. In addition, a limited number of apartments are available in the Alexander von Humboldt Guest House.

For in between: youth hostels

If you can not find a long-term accommodation from the start, you could look for a living space at the youth hostels directly next to our campus.

https://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/bayreuth/