African Studies: Critical Perspectives on Society, Politics, Culture (M.A.)

The Master of African Studies: Critical Perspectives on Society, Politics, Culture (M.A.) integrates the social science disciplines of social and cultural anthropology, sociology, political science, history and religion into one dynamic programme, while offering ample opportunity to specialize given the extensive Africa-related course selection available in each of the disciplinary areas.

Students acquire an in-depth appreciation for diverse knowledge systems, multiple understandings of Africa, key debates in African Studies and current social and political developments on the continent, as well as the global processes and contexts that constitute them.  Significantly, the guiding principle of the M.A. is that the generation of knowledge today can no longer be limited to the old intellectual traditions of Europe.  The examination of knowledge production in Africa is exemplary for a decentered view of perspectives from and with the Global South.

The programme trains students to become adept researchers and professionals who are both knowledgeable about the specifics of Africa-related issues and able to engage their chosen disciplines critically from their study of the African region.  Through the interdisciplinary course of study, students learn to sharpen their analytical and empirical research skills, and become better equipped to participate responsibly, reflectively and critically in the shaping of democratic societies.

Structure and contents of the study programme

This programme is characterized by interdisciplinarity and the freedom to choose your own individual study focus.  It includes activities that represent a total of 120 ECTS, resulting from the following areas:

3 Core Modules: Interdisciplinary African Studies (Total 15 ECTS)
Introduction to African Studies, Key Debates, Contemporary Politics of Knowledge 

3 Core Disciplines, each with a focus on Africa (Total 15 ECTS)
Choose from the following:

1. Sociology & Politics
2. Social & Cultural Anthropology
3. History
4. Religion
    

4 Core Seminars from within one chosen focal area (Total 20 ECTS)
These classes include methods training for a Study Project and the Master Thesis

3 Electives from across the broader university (15 ECTS)
An overview of Africa-related study programmes at UBT is available here.

2 Language Courses (8 ECTS)
UBT offers classes in several African languages including Kiswahili, Bambara and Hausa, as well as a host of other languages relevant to the study of the continent (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, etc.)

Study Project (20 ECTS)
The Study Project focuses on developing and implementing an empirical research project, putting learned skills into practice with guidance from senior teaching staff

Master's Thesis + Colloquium (27 ECTS)
The Master’s Thesis is an independent piece of written research in which students seek to answer a core research question

Graduates of the programme are well prepared for academic positions in universities and research institutions, as well as for non-academic careers. Students’ experience with international research makes them particularly suited to projects involving international and intercultural cooperation, including positions in public and media relations, in non-governmental or international organizations, or in diplomacy. The specialized knowledge acquired in the M.A., both the analytical potential and the ability to conceive and critically reflect, is in great demand at national and international institutions, which have a growing need for qualified employees with interdisciplinary, social science training.  Other important fields of activity are offered in tourism, education and training, museums and archives, or corporate public relations, which are looking for professionally competent and internationally oriented scholars and social scientists who are able to work beyond narrow subject boundaries.

The University of Bayreuth's focus on Africa

The University of Bayreuth is one of the most important European locations for interdisciplinary African research with more than 40 professors and lecturers who have a research focus on Africa.  Students are able to pursue a broad, interdisciplinary range of courses on Africa and Africa-related issues.  At the University library, students have access to the second largest book and media collection on Africa in Germany with currently 155,000 volumes and media.  The “Africa Multiple” Cluster of Excellence and the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies make the University of Bayreuth a hub for African Studies.  Successful graduates of the Master in African Studies also have the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree through the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS). 

Graduates are trained for doctoral studies in the interdisciplinary field of African Studies, as well as in other interdisciplinary areas such as Global Studies, International Development or Peace and Conflict Studies.  Graduates are also well prepared for doctoral study in their chosen disciplinary focal area (i.e., social and cultural anthropology, history, politics and international relations, sociology, or the study of religion).

The University of Bayreuth houses the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS), which offers opportunities for doctoral study.

Go to: Information about the BIGSAS PhD programme 

Prospective doctoral candidates also have the option of faculty-based study through the UBT Graduate School.

Go to: Information about UBT Graduate School

• Part-time study is possible

• African History
• African Politics and Development Policy
• Epistemologies of the Global South
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Sociology in Africa
• Study of Religion with Focus on Africa
• and other departments

Semester fee

The University of Bayreuth does not charge tuition fees. However, every student must pay the semester fee. This includes the fees for the Studentenwerk Oberfranken and the semester ticket for the use of public transport in the cities of Bayreuth and Kulmbach and in many parts of the regional transport system.

The module handbook provides an overview of the various modules that must be taken in a degree programme. It contains all the important explanations on the requirements and types of module examinations as well as on the intermediate or final examinations and serves as a kind of study guide for orientation.

Examination regulations lay down the content and structure of a specific degree programme in a legally binding manner. They must be approved by the Ministry of Science or accredited by an accreditation agency.