Student Portraits

Md Rahat Bin Sayef Chy, international student

I was on a mission to find a university in Germany that taught an M.A. program of anthropology in English. I found only a few universities and chose the MA Social and Cultural Anthropology program at the University of Bayreuth. I chose this program because of its staff-to-student ratio, research productivity, and academic reputation. And after passing one semester here with my amazing teachers and classmates, I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! When I applied in 2023, the University of Bayreuth was one of the top young universities in the world. Because of its focus on the African continent, the university offers a lot of diversity among students and teachers. As a student coming from the Global South, I felt right at home!  

Besides, Bayreuth is a small and beautiful town. It is almost impossible to be a stranger here. Everyone knows everyone! Not only the university but also the city of Bayreuth is very student friendly. With its mountainous green landscape with the little Red Main river running through, Bayreuth is breathtaking!

Lena Fiala

At the beginning of my studies I took Cultural and Social Anthropology as a minor. During the first semester, however, I swapped and made it my main subject because I liked it that much.

This programme gives me the opportunity to discuss the topics that interest me. In my opinion, Cultural and Social Anthropology in Bayreuth is a subject that deals with very current social problems such as gender equality or racism. Even during the Corona pandemic, a seminar on the subject was offered to help us to better understand the social and political impact of the virus. Due to the relatively small number of students, lecturers give great support and seminars are full of lively discussions in which you can really contribute your own thoughts. I regularly gained some "aha" moments out of them and am very happy that my studies give me many insights which have an impact on my own life. I developed a completely new perspective on many things that I have never questioned before.

Especially for first-year students who are interested in many parts of humanities and social sciences and who - like me - find it difficult to make a decision, studying Cultrural and Social Anthropology has a lot to offer: politics, economics, technology, kinship, music, art, religion - all these are well covered. I feel very much at home in Bayreuth and I am happy to live in a small town where you can quickly get to know people and most of your friends are only a ten-minute bike-ride away.

Vivien Kawahara-Schnauß, MA student of Social and Cultural Anthropology

The Benefits of Studying in the MA Program Social and Cultural Anthropology at the UBT:

You will meet a diverse, open minded, and caring team of staff with a high teacher to student ratio in this program. You're not just a number in the system! There is a wide pool of educators available who will offer you feedback and help you figure out your next steps. This program provides you an affordable access point into quality European standard education. You can gain experience in studying abroad and access to fieldwork locations throughout the world. Yes, the department has a good reputation for its focus on the African continent, should this be of interest to you. But there is still a variety of regional expertise that you can benefit from. Personally, I was always encouraged to conduct research in the field sites of my choice (e.g., Germany and Ireland). Being someone who must carefully balance study, work and life for health reasons, I have encountered nothing but kindness and tailored solutions that are helping me to complete my degree - and most of all enjoy my time in Bayreuth.

Studying in Bayreuth:

Bayreuth is a charming, walkable city in South Germany with plenty of parks and places to hang out, with lush green forests nearby for those who like hiking. I love being in Bayreuth because of its mix of urban amenities (festivals, shops, doctors, restaurants) as well as its small-town effect - calm and slow living.