Our history: Half a century at a glance

The University of Bayreuth began operations in 1975 with 632 students and its first degree programmes. The campus quickly expanded with the construction of new faculty buildings, a canteen, and the establishment of its first research institutes, including the Iwalewahaus. In 1978, the Ecological-Botanical Garden was founded, serving both as a research facility and a resource for the wider public.

The University of Bayreuth continued to grow, marked by the establishment of the Bavarian Geoinstitute and the expansion of its research infrastructure. Key developments included the construction of the Central Library, the Audimax, and the Sports Centre. The university reached another milestone in 1995 with the founding of its sixth faculty, alongside the creation of its first graduate college and the appointment of its first women's representative, setting new standards in academic and institutional development.

This decade saw further expansion with the opening of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and the construction of a new building for Cultural Studies. The university strengthened its research profile by developing nine specialised fields and implementing the bachelor's and master's degree system as part of the Bologna Process. In 1998, the University Council was established to provide strategic guidance and support for the institution's continued growth.

The University of Bayreuth focused on expanding its research landscape with the establishment of centres such as the Bayreuth Materials Centre and the Fraunhofer Centre for High Temperature Lightweight Construction. The campus saw significant growth, with the addition of buildings like Law I and Natural Sciences III, while the launch of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) reinforced the university's commitment to global research collaboration. During this period, the canteen was also modernised with the introduction of the Fresh Room, and new initiatives such as the Children's University were introduced. In 2013, the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences was renamed the Faculty of Engineering.

With the construction of the TAO (Technology and Application-Oriented) Building, the University of Bayreuth made another key investment in campus infrastructure. It was awarded the prestigious Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple," founded the Bayreuth Humboldt Centre, and expanded further with the opening of its seventh faculty—Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health—in Kulmbach. The establishment of the Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt) positioned the university as a leader in battery research and sustainable energy solutions.

In 2021, the university set a strategic course for the future by adopting a comprehensive internationalisation strategy and launching a sustainability initiative, making it one of Bavaria’s pioneers in sustainable development. These measures reflect the University of Bayreuth’s commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and environmental responsibility.