- Degree
- Dr phil and Dr rer nat
(+ in cooperation with the faculty of Law, Business & Economics Dr jur or Dr rer pol) - Course location
- Bayreuth
- Teaching language
-
- English
- Languages
Courses are predominately held in English.
- Full-time / part-time
-
- part-time (study alongside work)
- full-time
- Programme duration
- 8 semesters
- Beginning
- Only for doctoral programmes: any time
- Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study
General information on the structure and study content of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) can be found on our website .
- The graduate school offers young academics an individually centred research approach, together with a structural, financial and academic support system.
- The PhD research can be started throughout the whole year and is meant to be completed within four years.
- The BIGSAS doctoral programme consists of interdisciplinary research possibilities, multidisciplinary mentoring teams, subject-specific trainings like interdisciplinary courses, thematic workshops and methodological seminars as well as research colloquia and other academic events.
- Furthermore, BIGSAS offers the possibility to support language classes, working groups, and courses on demand.
- As all those activities rely on the active participation and contributions of BIGSAS Senior and Junior Fellows alike, we expect that all doctoral candidates are present in Bayreuth during their PhD time. The exception would be special occasions such as semester breaks, field research trips or the attendance of conferences and summer/winter schools.
- Application deadline
There is no application deadline for your application at BIGSAS. Applicants can apply to the graduate school during the course of the whole year.
For more information about our application requirements and process, please visit our application website .
- Tuition fees per semester in EUR
- None
- Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
- No
- Joint degree / double degree programme
- Yes
- Description/content
The Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) is rooted on an almost 50-year-old tradition of intensive and excellent research on Africa at the University of Bayreuth. Founded in 2006/2007 as part of the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments, today BIGSAS is part of the Cluster of Excellence EXC 2052 – "Africa Multiple: reconfiguring African Studies".
The graduate school itself is an innovative centre for doctoral training and interdisciplinary research at the University of Bayreuth. The aim of the graduate school is to bring together outstanding African and non-African academics for joint research in the field of African Studies while providing them with subject-specific academic training. As such, BIGSAS explicitly thrives on interdisciplinary and intercultural exchange. In cooperation with five faculties and 38 professors from over 30 departments and disciplines, 190 doctoral students (Junior Fellows) from all over the world have successfully completed their doctorates in the field of African Studies at BIGSAS to date (April 2024).
BIGSAS brings together excellent junior scholars in a structured and innovative doctoral programme. The doctoral training is based on research in a vital interdisciplinary environment with group mentorships, individual research training plans, specialist training (focusing on academic as well as transferable skills), early integration into the international academic community, and individual career planning.
- Course organisation
-
Carrying out and successfully completing a doctorate within three to four years including field research is undoubtedly a challenge that requires good planning, discipline, time and inspiration. BIGSAS offers a structured programme and research with multidisciplinary mentorship. The "Mentoring Group" comprises one supervisor and two mentors.
The programme enables the doctoral candidates, the Junior Fellows, not only to write their dissertations 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 highly enriched by and based on the cultural diversity to be found at BIGSAS.
Together with the supervisor and the mentors, each Junior Fellow develops an Individual Research and Training Plan (IRTP). Since doctoral candidates are expected to quickly become familiar with the international academia, they are encouraged to participate in international conferences and to publish research-related articles in academic journals. The participation in workshops, summer schools and colloquia, in self-organised working groups and additional courses allows them to discuss and to develop their research topics and to gain further academic skills.
- A Diploma supplement will be issued
- Yes
- International elements
-
- International guest lecturers
- Specialist literature in other languages
- Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
- International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
- Content-related regional focus
- Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
- Courses are led with foreign partners
- Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
-
Doctoral students are expected to take part in international conferences and, depending on their field of study and individual research area/focus, in one or more field research stays during their PhD training at the graduate school.
- Diverse intercultural background of students
- 30+ nationalities
- Integrated internships
-
None
- Teaching/work obligations or opportunities
No
- Course-specific, integrated German language courses
- No
- Course-specific, integrated English language courses
- No
- Tuition fees per semester in EUR
- None
- Semester contribution
In Germany, students at all higher education institutions pay a semester contribution. This payment (University of Bayreuth: 143 EUR per semester) has nothing to do with tuition fees; rather, it covers your contributions to student services and the student government. At the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach), it includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transportation in the region.
- Costs of living
The cost of living in Germany, e.g. accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, is about average compared to other European countries. Living expenses are significantly lower than in countries like Denmark, Luxembourg or Switzerland, but they are rather high compared to countries like Poland, the Czech Republic or Italy. Compared to other large German cities, such as Munich, Berlin or Hamburg, Bayreuth's low cost of living and affordable housing make the city and the region particularly attractive to young people and families. You can find an example what the monthly costs could be here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/cost-of-living .
- Funding opportunities within the university
- Yes
- Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university
Scholarships for international students: International students and doctoral researchers have the opportunity to apply for a study grant at the International Office . Limited funding from the State of Bavaria and the DAAD is available for this purpose. The application deadline for the winter semester is 31 August and for the summer semester 28 February. All grants can be awarded for up to two semesters.
Unfortunately, first-semester students cannot be funded, i.e. applications cannot be submitted until the second semester of study for funding starting in the third semester of study. Above all, academic achievements from the previous semester are decisive for the evaluation of the application.
- Academic admission requirements
BIGSAS invites applications from candidates whose dissertation projects fit into the broad field of African Studies. Applicants must have a Master's or an equivalent degree in one of the disciplines represented at the graduate school with a very good result. Applications may be sent in English, German, or French. The working language of BIGSAS is English.
For more information about our application requirements and process please, visit our application website .
- Language requirements
Applicants need to have excellent skills in English.
- Application deadline
There is no application deadline for your application at BIGSAS. Applicants can apply to the graduate school during the course of the whole year.
For more information about our application requirements and process, please visit our application website .
- Submit application to
Please submit your BIGSAS application through our online platform .
For more information about our application requirements and procedures, please visit our application website .
- Possibility of finding part-time employment
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
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 .- Structured research and supervision
- Yes
- Research training / discussion
- Yes
- Career advisory services and programmes for future professionals
Career advisory services are provided by other university departments.
- Support for international students and doctoral candidates
-
- Accompanying programme
- Welcome event
- Help with finding accommodation
- Support with registration procedures
- Specialist counselling
- General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates
The University of Bayreuth has the following service and support centres for (international) students:
- Administrative support via the graduate school BIGSAS
- IT support via the IT Service Centre of the university
- An International Office with a variety of welcome services
- A Gender Equality Service Centre of the university
- A Diversity Service Centre of the university
- A gender and diversity programme of the Cluster of Excellency
- An Office of the Commissioner for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (becks)
- A Writing Centre of the university
- A Language Centre of the university
- A Centre for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ZHL)
- Supervisor-student ratio
- 3:1
University of Bayreuth
The University of Bayreuth is one of the most successful young universities in Germany. © University of Bayreuth
International, innovative, and interdisciplinary in research and teaching
Top-notch research, state-of-the-art teaching methods, international influences, diversity, and a springboard to a successful career – these are all things the University of Bayreuth stands for.
The University of Bayreuth is a dynamic campus university with currently about 13,000 students. Beyond the interdisciplinary research focus and excellence in teaching, the university has a clear vision of social responsibility and entrepreneurship. In the middle of Kulmbach , our new satellite campus unites the perspectives of natural science, economics, law, social sciences, and behavioural science in one place in a way that has not yet been seen in Germany.
We have a close network of strategically selected, international research partners, and we have strategic partnerships with universities around the globe. A wide range of innovative BA, MA and PhD programmes as well as our international summer schools are conducted in English . There are presently around 1,770 international students from more than 100 countries on the Bayreuth and Kulmbach campuses. Focus areas in research include Nonlinear Dynamics, Polymer and Colloid Science, Molecular Biosciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, New Materials, African Studies, High Pressure and High Temperature Research, Cultural Encounters and Transcultural Processes, Innovation and Consumer Protection, Food and Health Sciences, Energy Research and Energy Technology, Governance and Responsibility.
Our university has an outstanding staff-to-student ratio. Our high performance levels, multidisciplinary collaborations and scientific excellence result in high-ranking positions . In the 2021 THE ranking of “475 under 50”, the University of Bayreuth once again achieved a top position among the best universities in Germany. We have proven expertise in campus and curriculum internationalisation , which is confirmed by the results of the extended internationalisation audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference, a close and successful project cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a number of Alexander von Humboldt Awards for our international management and service .
Welcome to our one-of-a-kind campus in Bavaria!
It is both the heart of our university and a source of inspiration. It is where friendships are made, collaboration is initiated, and ideas are conceived, ensuring that our university remains a beacon of innovation. Scientific exchange profits tremendously from the wide variety of disciplines our communicative campus brings together.
For a closer look at our university, have a look here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en .
86 Current number of doctoral students
190 Current number of alumni
University location
Welcome to Bavaria!
Seventy-six thousand people from 145 nations chose the city of Bayreuth as their new home, and those numbers are steadily rising. Because of its 13,000 students, Bayreuth is the third-youngest city in Germany. Living here means not getting stuck in traffic jams every morning. The short distances in Bayreuth allow you to leave your car at home and to walk or ride your bike to work and to campus.
Career & Networking
The Welcome Service at the University of Bayreuth is here to assist you with any questions regarding living and working in the region of Bayreuth. The team of our International Office provides guidance and support for all international students, scholars, and their families before, during and after their stay at the University of Bayreuth. The aim is to ensure a quick, trouble-free and thus successful start as well as an unforgettable stay on our friendly campus in Bayreuth and Kulmbach.
A good climate for your entrepreneurial spirit
The University of Bayreuth takes its role as a regional motor of innovation very seriously. The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation was set up to help students gain the necessary qualifications in the area of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and acting. In doing so, we nurture our students’ willingness and ability to start their own companies. Our Adviser for Start-Ups provides start-ups and prospective start-ups with confidential guidance and support. Strong innovation and research institutions combined with high-performance medium-sized companies make for a steady rise in workforce and a guarantee for job security.
Your new home away from home
Bayreuth and Kulmbach offer a fast variety of childcare services as well as affordable living space. Step outside your front door and enjoy the recreational activities. Scenic northern Bavaria is great for sports activities: cycling, hiking, mountain-climbing, canoeing, rafting, and skiing are all excellent ways to enrich your leisure time. However, if you do happen to crave the feel of a bigger city now and then, Nuremberg is only a one-hour train ride away and Munich is only two and a half hours away. You can reach Berlin in four hours by car or bus and Leipzig in half that time.
Why you should study in Bayreuth: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/study-in-bayreuth
Have a great start. We look forward to meeting you!
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