Social & Cultural Anthropology, Master of Arts (M.A.)
The M.A. in Social and Cultural Anthropology is a research-focused master’s program which offers students an advanced orientation in socio-cultural anthropology and guides them through an ethnographic research project. Students engage with enduring and contemporary questions in the field of anthropology and learn to use ethnography as a reflexive lens onto a particular research problem. The program is informed by its emphasis on the multiplicity of human experience and on its global entanglements. Students benefit from a close working relationship with academic staff and may take advantage of the University of Bayreuth’s distinction as a center of African Studies.
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!
Md Rahat Bin Sayef Chy, Student
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Final degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Start of Studies
- Winter semester
- Standard period of study
- 4 semesters
- Language of instruction
- English
- Admission Requirements
Language proficiency: English B2, German A1
Jump to: How do I apply?- Website
- to the study programme website
Profile
The M.A. in Social and Cultural Anthropology is an internationally oriented degree that builds on B.A.-level training in anthropology or related disciplines. At the heart of the program is the “guided research” component, in which students develop independent research projects in close conversation both with teaching staff and the other students in their cohort. Fieldwork, which often takes place in collaboration with institutions abroad, usually lasts at least six weeks and can be conducted either as part of a group or individually. The guided research project is co-sponsored by the University of Bayreuth.
Structure and content
In the first term, all students participate in foundational courses (module A) which serve as an advanced introduction to anthropology. These include courses on Social and Cultural Theory and World Anthropologies, as well as a course on questions in ethnographic methodology, Doing Ethnography. In Contemporary Themes in Anthropology (module B), students will engage with central concepts in contemporary anthropology that are relevant to their research projects. The core of the program is the research project (module C). It consists of a series of scaffolded courses which include preparation, fieldwork and analysis. Fieldwork takes place in the third term and can be combined with a study abroad program. The research project is guided by senior members of the teaching staff, thereby offering students the opportunity to pursue their research interests with careful mentorship. In addition, students have the opportunity to choose from a number of elective courses (module D) to shape their program according to their own interest. This includes the opportunity to study a foreign language (other than English or German).
The social and cultural anthropology program at the University of Bayreuth is one of the largest in Germany. We offer a cutting-edge, research-oriented master's program that provides you with excellent methods-training as well as first-hand insights to contemporary themes and discussions in anthropology (including activism and engagement, belonging and citizenship, digital materialities, epistemologies of the Global South, gender and feminism, global inequalities, infrastructures and technologies, politics of kinship, race and racism). In addition, the University of Bayreuth's focus on Africa and the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence offers unique opportunities to engage with international scholars and students and to participate in current academic, political and artistic debates in the field of African Studies. With the University of Bayreuth Graduate School and the Bayreuth International Graduate School in African Studies (BIGSAS) you have excellent opportunities to pursue a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) after your Master's degree.
With thorough training in analytical and research skills, successful graduates are well prepared for academic positions in universities and research institutions as well as for a wide variety of non-academic careers. The M.A. program’s engagement with questions of global interconnection and diversity makes students particularly suited to positions involving international and intercultural cooperation — for instance, in the NGO sector, in public and media relations, and in international organizations. Cultural heritage institutions, museums, the tourism industry, foundations, and other private organizations also look for experienced social and cultural anthropologists. Research done during fieldwork can also be used as the basis for further Ph.D. studies.
Completing a doctorate at the University of Bayreuth
BIGSAS (Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies) offers a structured programme and research with multidisciplinary mentorship.The programme enables the doctoral candidates (Junior Fellows) not only to write their thesis within the time-to-degree, but also to enhance their research skills through theoretical and methodological courses as well as in discussions with their supervisors, mentors, fellow students and guest professors. This lively exchange of thoughts and ideas is enriched by and based on the cultural diversity found at BIGSAS. You can find more information here:
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.
Further information
- Part-time study is possible.
Visa Application and Immigration
A first important step for many international students coming from so-called third countries is the application for a student visa at the German diplomatic mission of the home country. If and how the application for such a visa should be done is explained on this website.
We highly recommend researching the regulations and requirements as well as the appointment schedule regarding the visa as early as possible. The international Office of the University of Bayreuth is not able to schedule appointments or inquiry about the status of the visa at the diplomatic missions.
Semester fee
The University of Bayreuth does not charge tuition fees. The only contribution that has to be made is the semester fee, which consists of a contribution towards the student services and the semester ticket in order to use public transportation within Bayreuth. This fee has to be paid by every student and prior to enrolment. Banking details are given on the admission letter. As it takes up to seven business days to process the payment, this should be done as early as possible to ensure a quick enrolment. Please note that payment cannot be effected in person at the university.
Notes on application and enrollment
Application for German citizens
1 March to Registration deadline (for winter semester)
ApplicationApplication for EU citizens
1 March to Registration deadline (for winter semester)
ApplicationApplication for non EU citizens
1 March to 15 July (for winter semester)
Application
Admission requirements
Admission Restrictions /
ApplicationAll applicants must submit a cover letter comprising a maximum of 2 pages where they explain why they consider themselves well-suited for the M. A. program Social and Cultural Anthropology.
Qualification
A bachelor's degree with at least an examination grade good in the Bachelor's degree programme "Social & Cultural Anthropology", "Culture and Society (subject Social and Cultural Anthropology)", "Culture and Society in Africa (subject Social and Cultural Anthropology)" or "Interdisciplinary African Studies", or an equivalent degree
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
Applying without a degree certificate
Applications may already be submitted before completion of the bachelor's degree; however a total of at least 150 credit points with a final German grade of 2.5 or better must be earned by the time of application.
- Special conditions
Conditional admission is possible; special conditions may comprise up to 30 credit points (see Examination Regulations § 2 para 2)
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 Coordinators:
Prof. Dr. Katharina Schramm
Dr. Barbara Polak - Student council:
Fachschaft Student council KuWi - Student working group ASP KuWi
Central contact points
- Prospective students:
Student Advising (in German language) - For international students:
International Office - Examination Office: Examination Office Faculty V – Humanities & Social Sciences
Related degree programmes
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- 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. Katharina SchrammChair of Social and Cultural Anthropology
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-4170
E-mail: katharina.schramm@uni-bayreuth.de
Geisteswissenschaften II (GWII), Office 00.19
Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth
Have we aroused your interest? You can find all information about the Master's programme Social & Cultural Anthropology at the University of Bayreuth on our website.