Intercultural Anglophone Studies University of Bayreuth

Are you interested in the language, literatures, and cultures of the English-speaking world? Join our MA programme in Intercultural Anglophone Studies and become part of our international community at the University of Bayreuth.

Our degree programme aims for advanced scholarly competence in one of two research areas: Anglophone literatures and cultures (including American Studies, British Studies, and Postcolonial and Diaspora Studies) or English linguistics. The programme provides skills and competencies to analyse complex issues in language, literature, and culture, including a wide range of forms of cultural expression such as literature, film, theatre, music, and other forms of popular culture as possible objects of study.

In the programme, you can tailor your studies to your individual preferences by choosing classes from numerous thematic areas. The classes cover the whole range of Anglophone Studies – focusing on inter- and transcultural issues and cultural diversity – and reflect our department’s diverse and cutting-edge research in fields such as

• Ecocriticism and environmental humanities
• Intersectionality, diaspora, and planetarity studies
• Literature and knowledge
• Science fiction, utopianism, and risk fiction studies
• World Englishes
• Contact linguistics
• Electronically-mediated communication

The MAIAS eco-track, moreover, offers students the opportunity to specialise in the environmentally oriented study of Anglophone literatures and cultures. By gaining 30 of the programme’s 120 credit points, students engage with ecological questions through an innovative interdisciplinary framework that combines inter- and transcultural studies, ecocriticism, and the Environmental Humanities (https://www.maias.uni-bayreuth.de/en/Eco-Track-in-MAIAS/index.html).

At the end of your studies, you will demonstrate your scholarly competence in an independent, comprehensive Master’s thesis – after refining your skills through a number of written assignments that hone your ability to write with clarity and precision.

Students who finish the Master’s degree programme with distinction may aim to pursue a doctorate and continue their academic career. With the expertise and skills acquired in the MAIAS programme, they are also prepared for careers in business, service and trade, international cultural institutions, media and journalism, publishing, new media, intercultural consulting, and cultural management. 

MAIAS is structured in five module areas that focus on the major areas "literary/cultural studies" and "linguistics":

• A "Intercultural Anglophone Studies in Literature and Language - Foundations"
• B "Second Foreign Language"
• C "Intercultural Anglophone Studies in Literature and Language - Intermediate Level"
• D "Intercultural Anglophone Studies in Literature and Language - Advanced Level"
• E "Intercultural Anglophone Studies in Literature and Language - MA thesis Module".

The module areas consist of two to five separate modules.

Modules are taught as "core issues" seminars, intensive seminars, advanced seminars, elective seminars, lectures, and as a Master's thesis seminar.

Bachelor of Arts in English / American Studies or related disciplines (with clearly above-average success)

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 165.84 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.

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/