Intercultural Anglophone Studies, Master of Arts (M.A.)
Intercultural Anglophone Studies (MAIAS) is an innovative, research-oriented master’s programme in English and American Studies. It enables in-depth and theoretically informed study of the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking world, and of linguistic phenomena of English in its varieties. A wide range of forms of cultural expression such as literature, film, theatre, music, and popular culture are addressed. This degree programme promotes the analysis of complex issues in culture, literature and language – including inter- and transcultural issues – from various perspectives.
- Faculty
- Faculty of Languages & Literatures
- Final degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Start of studies
- Winter semester or summer semester
- Standard period of study
- 4 semesters
- Language of instruction
- English
- Admission requirements
Language proficiency: English level C1
Jump to: How do I apply?- Website
- www.maias.uni-bayreuth.de
The degree program is directed toward advanced scholarly competence in one of two major areas: "literature" or "linguistics." It enables in-depth and theoretically informed study of the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking world, and of linguistic phenomena of English in its varieties. A wide range of forms of cultural expression such as literature, film, theater, music, and other forms of popular culture are addressed. From various perspectives, this degree program enables the analysis of complex issues in culture, literature and language, paying particular attention to inter- and transcultural issues. Students will demonstrate their competence toward the end of their studies in an independent and comprehensive thesis.
Fields of Employment
As the MAIAS programme is geared toward advanced competences and skills, students are well-prepared for careers and positions in the academic world, in business, or the increasingly important forums of cross-cultural exchange. In particular, they find attractive career options in research and teaching, media and journalism, publishing, new media, international cultural institutions, cultural management, intercultural consulting, service and trade.Academic Career
The programme is designed to enable students to work independently toward research goals, to present their results coherently and effectively, and to critically evaluate scholarly contributions from other authors. After the successful completion of the master’s degree, students have the option to pursue a doctorate, for example, within the International Graduate School of African Studies at the University of Bayreuth.
Doing a doctorate at the University of Bayreuth
The University of Bayreuth Graduate School supervises doctoral students of all subjects who are pursuing a doctorate in a structured programme or at one of the University's seven faculties. We facilitate scientific exchange already in the earliest phase of independent research, and complement the interdisciplinary education of doctoral students with additional teaching and training opportunities. Our aim is to create the perfect research and learning conditions for them.
You can find all the information on doctoral studies in Bayreuth on the homepage of the Junior Scholar Office WiN.
Academic Career
The programme is designed to enable students to work independently toward research goals, to present their results coherently and effectively, and to critically evaluate scholarly contributions from other authors. After the successful completion of the master’s degree, students have the option to pursue a doctorate, for example, within the International Graduate School of African Studies at the University of Bayreuth.
You will encounter a small, research-oriented Master's programme with an excellent staff-student ratio, and exciting topics from which you can freely choose your own area of focus. You can, for instance, focus on British, American or African literatures and cultures and their entanglements, on post-colonial and diaspora studies, on ecocriticism, on language, cognition and culture, or on the diversity of the English language in its cultural environments and on corpus linguistics. You will benefit from ideal conditions to expand and improve your analytical and methodological skills, and, of course, to conduct independent research.
Student Exchange & Dual Degree Programmes
The programme offers several innovative dual degree options with leading institutions in their respective countries: with Shanghai International Studies University (PR China), with Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan), with the University of Chester (UK), and, for the field of linguistics, with Moscow City Pedagogical University (Rus). There are also opportunities to study for one semester at George Washington University (USA).
Further information
Specific features
- Opportunity of student exchange & dual degree programme
- part-time study is possible
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.
Notes on application and enrollment
Application period
for German and EU citizens:
1 March to 15 October for winter semester
1 September to 15 April for summer semesterfor non EU citizens:
1 March to 1 May for winter semester
1 September to 1 November for summer semesterApplication guide
Individual information on the application process (documents, deadlines, link to the application portal)
click here for German version
Admission requirements
- Qualification
A degree (or completed course of studies) with an examination grade of “good” or better in the bachelor’s programme English & American Studies at the University of Bayreuth or an equivalent degree awarded in Germany or abroad
- Equivalency
Equivalency of the completed bachelor's degree is the responsibility of the board of examiners and is not determined conclusively until the application process is under way; for this reason, no information can be provided in advance
- Language proficiency
ENGLISH: level C1 (TOEFL = 95 Punkte; IELTS "Academic" = 7,0; Cambridge Certificate = Certificate in Advanced English (CAE))
- Applying without a degree certificate
Applications may already be submitted before completion of the bachelor's degree; however, a total of at least 150 credits and a minimum grade of "good" are required by the time of application
- Special conditions
- Conditional admission is not offered for this programme
Module handbook
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
Examination regulations define the content and structure of a particular degree programme in a legally binding manner. They must be approved by the Ministry of Science or accredited by an accreditation agency.
Contact points in the department
- Programme coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Sylvia Mayer - Student Council: Split
Central contact points
- Prospective students:
Student Advising (in German language) - For international students:
International Office - Examination Office: Examination Office Faculty IV – Languages & Literatures
- Africa-Competence (AfriZert)
- China-Competence (SinoZert)in German language
- Data Literacyin German language
- Entrepreneurshipin German language
- Interculturality Research and Intercultural Practicein German language
- Intersectionality Studies & Diversity Competenciesin English language
- Sustainabilityin German language
- Teaching German as a foreign languagein German language
- Theatre Educationin German language
Any more questions? Please contact the coordinator of the degree programme.
Prof. Dr. Sylvia MayerChair American Studies / Anglophone Literatures and Culture
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-3563
E-mail: maias@uni-bayreuth.de
Have we aroused your interest? You can find all information about MAIAS at the University of Bayreuth on the website.