Global History University of Bayreuth

All necessary courses are taught in English, and all exams are held in English. Students may nevertheless attend courses taught in German and may also take exams in German if they wish. To partake in German courses, students should have B2 level German skills.

The aim of the Master’s programme in Global History at the University of Bayreuth is to enable students to recognise and analyse complex social, political, cultural and economic phenomena of the present in their global and historical contexts.

The programme has a modular structure with a different number of modules in four columns:

Column 1 (Foundations of Global History) consists of four compulsory modules which form the basis of this programme. The students will acquire basic knowledge about the Global History approach with its specific paradigms, theories and methods. All four modules contain methodological reflections of different historiographical approaches, of entanglements between political, social, economic and cultural history and the analysis of global encounters and conflicts.

Column 2 (“Area Expertise”) consists of six elective modules. The acquisition of area expertise forms the first part (three modules) of this column. Students can select from four different options: “Africa” (A), “Europe” (B), “Atlantic World & the Americas” (C) and “Trans and other areas” (D). For each option, students will have to successfully complete three different courses/seminars that will focus on the history of the particular area(s), but they may do so from different chronological points of view (ancient, medieval, pre-modern, modern, contemporary) and by scrutinising different topics (for example, economic, social, cultural or religious phenomena).

The acquisition of additional language skills forms the second part of this column (three modules). Depending upon the chosen area expertise, students will learn a language or intensify their pre-existing language skills in three different language classes. The idea is to learn or refresh/intensify language skills that exceed the obligatory English and German skills according to the admission requirements of this programme.

Column 3 (“Specialisation”) consists of two elective modules. The “Specialisation I: Additional Area of Expertise” module is a chance – especially for those students choosing options A, B, C in column 2 – to broaden the scope of their area expertise by gaining additional expertise in a second focus area. This enables them to compare historical phenomena in different global areas. In the courses for the “Specialisation II: Methods and Skills” module, students will be introduced to different analytical tools and practices enabling them to apply specific methods (qualitative and quantitative) in their own academic investigations of specific historical phenomena. These methods (for example, from social sciences, literary studies, etc.), which are usually not part of a curriculum in history, will broaden the methodological tool kit of the students and help them approach historical phenomena in an innovative way.

Column 4 (“Master's thesis”) contains the whole process of conceptualising and writing the thesis in one compulsory module.

Students will be asked to present a report (“Forschungsbericht”) in the accompanying Master's class.

Application period
1 March to 15 June

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.

The requirement for admission to the Master’s programme in Global History is a university degree with a final grade of 2.5 ("gut/good") or better in a Bachelor's programme in History, which is comparable to the Bachelor’s programme in History of the University of Bayreuth. This necessitates that the completed curriculum is sufficiently similar, and the obtained grades are sufficiently good. Nevertheless, admission may be subject to conditions.

Applicants whose degree is not in History but is in a closely-related discipline (e.g., Political Sciences, Ethnology, Cultural Studies, etc.) may also be admitted under certain conditions. Such conditions may be that particular modules from the Bachelor's programme in History (“Geschichte”) at the University of Bayreuth need to be successfully completed within one year. Whether the criteria for acceptance into the Master’s programme are met or not will be reviewed first by the board of examiners of this Master’s programme and subsequently by the Admission Committee of the International Office on an individual basis prior to the enrolment process.

Language certificate ENGLISH level B2 (may be handed in within one semester)
and
Language certificate GERMAN level A1 (may be handed in within the first year)

Application period
1 March to 15 June

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/