NEWS: Welcome (back) to African Studies! Winter Semester 2026/27

A warm welcome to all new M.A. African Studies students at the University of Bayreuth, especially those joining us from different parts of the world! And welcome back to everyone returning for another semester, whether from the summer break, a research trip, or fieldwork abroad. We hope you had a great time and are looking forward to hearing about your experiences!
This semester offers a wide range of exciting seminars and lectures across the different disciplines of African Studies. From Politics of Belonging: Religion, Representation, and Mobilisation in Africa and Contesting Faith: Religious Conversion in the Asylum Process to Anthropology, Resistance Movements, and Revolutions, Politics of Silence, and African Classics on Decolonisation. 
Throughout the semester, you can also look forward to talks, workshops, and other events, organised among others by the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence and often held at the Forschungszentrum Afrika (FZA) or the Iwalewahaus. So keep an eye out for announcements and upcoming events!
With students coming from different academic backgrounds, countries, and bringing their own experiences and research interests, we're looking forward to another semester of exchanging ideas, learning from each other, and spending time together beyond the classroom.

To everyone new to Bayreuth, especially those arriving from abroad: We hope you settle in well and soon feel at home, both in the city and at the university. We know arriving in a new place can come with plenty of questions, from finding your way around campus to dealing with paperwork, local authorities, or figuring out everyday life in Bayreuth. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Your fellow students have been through many of these experiences themselves and are often the best people to ask for practical tips and advice.
Whether you need a little guidance, have ideas to share, or simply feel like having a coffee and a chat, we're happy to hear from you!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the winter semester 2026/27!