African Studies: Language, Arts, Philosophy University of Bayreuth

The BA African Studies: Language, Arts, Philosophy is a distinctive, interdisciplinary programme that immerses you in Africa’s languages, literatures, philosophies, and arts. With a strong humanities focus unique in Germany, the programme places African languages at the centre of understanding African societies and knowledge systems on the continent and in the diaspora. Embedded in one of Europe’s leading centres for African Studies, it equips students with critical, linguistic, and methodological skills for global academic and professional pathways.

Profile of the study programme

Africa is a dynamic and globally connected continent, shaped by rapid social change, cultural diversity, and vibrant creative production across literature, philosophy, media, and the arts. The Bachelor’s programme African Studies: Language, Arts, Philosophy offers an internationally-oriented and interdisciplinary approach to African studies and stands out in Germany for its strong humanities focus.

A defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on African languages as essential gateways to understanding African societies, cultures, and knowledge systems, both on the continent and across the African diaspora. Students engage with a wide range of cultural expressions, including literature, philosophy, visual and performing arts, and audiovisual media, and learn the foundations of linguistics. The programme combines the study of literatures in African languages with Anglophone and Francophone traditions / verbal arts and extends its perspective to the African diaspora in Latin America through Spanish- and Portuguese-language contexts.

The Bachelor’s programme provides an excellent foundation for students seeking a deep, nuanced understanding of Africa in a global context. Language training is central to the curriculum and supports the development of real academic and cultural expertise. Students gain knowledge in four interconnected areas of African studies: African languages; literatures in African languages as well as Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone, and — within a diasporic framework — Hispanophone African literatures; philosophy in African languages; and modern and contemporary African arts.

Throughout the programme, students are equipped with strong theoretical, methodological, and practical skills that prepare them for critical engagement with diverse cultural environments, intellectual traditions, and creative practices. The degree offers excellent preparation for international careers in academia, education, cultural institutions, media, NGOs, and other globally oriented fields.

This Bachelor’s programme invites you to explore Africa’s languages, literatures, arts, film, and philosophies through an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented curriculum. Designed to combine academic depth with hands-on experience, the programme encourages you to develop critical perspectives while building valuable cultural and linguistic skills.

The programme is organised into modules reflecting the diversity of African languages, forms of verbal and visual arts as well as philosophies. You will begin with an introductory lecture series that helps you find your way into the field and discover how linguistics, literary studies, philosophy, and visual and verbal arts connect. From the very start, you will also gain essential academic skills such as research, academic writing, and presentation, giving you the tools you need to succeed at university and that you can transfer into further professional contexts.

As you progress, advanced courses allow you to explore exciting intersections between philosophy, literature, and film, as well as the diversity and global mobility of African literatures. A dedicated film series introduces you to landmark works of African cinema and teaches you how to analyse film critically.

In your fifth semester, you can shape your own academic profile by choosing elective courses in linguistics, literature, or the arts. A practical project gives you the opportunity to put theory into practice – whether by curating an exhibition or festival, organising readings, or creating media presentations. At this stage, you will also choose the discipline in which you plan to write your Bachelor’s thesis.

A key element of the programme is learning an African language. You will choose between Bambara, Swahili, Wolof, and Arabic, and your growing language skills will be increasingly integrated into your thematic courses throughout the programme.

The practice-oriented project gives students the possibility to do internships or to work on their own projects.

For German and EU citizens:

15 April to 15 October for winter semester

For international prospective students with a German university entrance qualification (Abitur), the deadlines for German nationals apply.

For non EU citizens:

15 April to 15 July for winter semester

Certificate of secondary school education and English competence at B2 level or higher

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/