Space to think.

Professor Stefan Leible
President of the University of Bayreuth

Welcome to the University of Bayreuth
In this brochure, I am proud to present to you a university that has earned its excellent reputation in researchand teaching, both nationally and internationally.
You may wonder how a small university in northern Bavaria consistently manages to attract promising students
and outstanding scholars from around the world. There is no one single answer.
To give a few examples: our Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple conducts its cutting-edge research together withan extensive international network, the Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry & Geophysics
has established a worldwide reputation of its own, and the University’s polymer and colloid research has becomea driving force behind some fascinating new materials. We refer to our strategically selected, interdisciplinary
research priorities as our “focus areas”. These focus areas combine the University’s cross-disciplinary expertiseand generate synergies with remarkable innovative power. The recent establishment of the Bavarian Centre forBattery Technology (BayBatt) at the University is a prime example of this approach to cutting-edge research.
We are also excited about our newly founded Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition & Health in the nearby townof Kulmbach, which is dedicated to the sustainable production and distribution of high-quality, nutritious foodand to the effective prevention of “diseases of civilization”.
At the heart of the University is the community feeling on our campus. It is a constant source of inspiration. Everywhere you look, friendships are being made, collaborations are being initiated, and ideas are being sparked, ensuring that our university remains a beacon of innovation. If you need more space to think – then look no further.

Prof. Stefan Leible

The University of Bayreuth >>A campus full of opportunities.
The centre of Bayreuth’s campus: it’s only a short walk fromhere to the cafeteria, library, lecture halls, and much more.

Imagine you’re a law student and have the opportunity
to acquire a sound business education that opens up exciting new prospects and leads to the esteemed German
title Wirtschaftsjurist. Or you could do your doctorate inecology and environmental sciences and become one of
the sought-after geoecologists who develop new strategies for solving environmental problems.

The questions facing our globalized society are becoming
more and more complex. The right answers can only befound through close cross-disciplinary cooperation – oneof the University’s main assets. The University of Bayreuth
is characterized by academic freedom, scientific progress,
and practical relevance, all of which are understood in thecontext of social and cultural responsibility.

However, you may want to go in a different direction. In thatcase, Philosophy & Economics, Health Economics, Global
Change Ecology, or Sport, Business & Law could be the rightchoice for you. There is a long list of degree programmes
and research areas that set the University of Bayreuth apartfrom other universities.

A bright future after graduation
Our easy-to-reach campus, where everything you need isright at your doorstep, offers a perfect setting for study andresearch. There are a wealth of close-knit networks and astrong community feeling here. Instead of crowds, you’ll see
familiar faces. It’s easy to meet people on campus, and before you know it, you may be joining one of our exciting
projects. The University of Bayreuth recruits and fosters talented students and scholars of all backgrounds and fromall over the world, while ensuring that they are given plentyof creative freedom. Students benefit from our cooperation
with higher education and non-university institutions aroundthe world, opening up exciting prospects for their future
careers.

On course for success with the right strategy
In retrospect, it is now clear how prudent it was back in
1975 to establish a university based on strength in individual subject areas combined with interdisciplinary researchand teaching. Recent examples include the launch of ourCluster of Excellence Africa Multiple and the addition of ourseventh faculty, which is dedicated to food research, eliminating diseases of civilization, and fostering healthy living.

Study >>Quality over quantity.
Our university encourages participation in student initiatives
like the Formula Student international design competition,in which student groups design, build, and race their own
formula style racing car.

Does a university need to be several hundred years old
before it can make a name for itself internationally in teaching and research?
The University of Bayreuth is currently rated among the top
universities in the “351 under 50” Times Higher Educationworldwide rankings, which focus on the world’s top 351
young universities founded less than 50 years ago.
Intensive academic supervision of students
You too may soon be among the outstanding graduates
who contribute to the excellent reputation of the University of Bayreuth. In any case, your chances of success will be
good, because we invest a great deal in teaching and support for our students. Building on a solid foundation of basic and application-oriented research, our students receive
subject-specific and interdisciplinary training geared to future scientific, technological, and social challenges. Plentyof new challenges await – we look forward to tackling themwith you!

Top marks for study environment
It is no wonder that the University of Bayreuth consistently achieves top positions in the rankings compiled by theCentre for Higher Education Development (CHE). The study
environment, the supervision of students, and the wellequipped student laboratories are all rated as outstandingby our students. They consider themselves to be getting
plenty of personal attention in subjects such as biology,
chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science.
Meanwhile, the Department of Earth Sciences is also ranked
highly for its scientific publications and research budget.
The main driving force behind this success are the University
interdisciplinary research priorities in fields such as macromolecule and colloid research, the physics of non-linear dynamics, and ecology and environmental research.

Top marks for study environment
in the CHE University Ranking

40th in the international THE Young
University Ranking “351 under 50”

Cross-disciplinary study programmes >>Interdisciplinary right from the start.
Performing well in your subject area opens up the possibility
to work on exciting interdisciplinary projects in Bayreuth.

The University of Bayreuth has earned itself an excellent
reputation, both nationally and internationally. In 1975, it
was one of Germany’s first universities to be establishedwith an interdisciplinary founding mission, and it has since
become a leader in innovative research and teaching.
Initially, the focus was on building up the well-respecteddisciplines of mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, geosciences, and African studies. Facilitated by our open campus
culture, innovative and interdisciplinary research projects ofconsiderable import were soon set in motion.
The first collaborative research centres
Just a few years after the lecture halls first opened theirdoors, the German Research Foundation (DFG) approved the
University’s proposal for three interdisciplinary collaborative research centres: for ecosystems, polymers, and African
studies.
The next milestone
Combining law, business, and economics in a single faculty
has been a true success story. The Faculty is renowned for
its interdisciplinary and highly sought-after degree programmes, such as law with additional qualifications in economics, health economics, sports economics, philosophy
and economics, and industrial engineering.

Engineering science sets standards
The 1990s then saw the University placing emphasis on materials science. The purpose of this was to nurture interdisciplinary cooperation in the fields of chemistry, physics, andecology, and eventually led to the founding of the Faculty ofEngineering Science. Today, this faculty is setting new standards in areas such as nanotechnology, contributing greatly
to Bayreuth’s international reputation as an innovative location for applied materials research.
Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
The Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, which was established in 2018, links six subject areas – English studies, Romance studies, history, sociology, religious studies, and social
anthropology – and thus confirms the international significance of Bayreuth’s cutting-edge research. The Cluster explores the concurrency of multiple ways of life, which arecomplex and constantly influencing each other, in order todemonstrate how Africa is comprised of multiple relationships. The focus is on the continental and transcontinental
interdependencies of cultural, linguistic, social, religious,
political, economic, and ecological processes in Africa. Since
Bayreuth only conducts “research on Africa with Africa”, theUniversity has founded four African Cluster Centres in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The resulting
scientific collaboration promotes a better understandingof these African processes, and brings more transparency
to Africa’s relations with Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Research >>Excellent prospects for your talent.
Between 2016 and 2018, 578 researchers earned adoctorate and 27 completed a Habilitation. The perfect
start to an academic career!

It can’t be mere coincidence that so many universities like
Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge are located awayfrom major urban centres. Excellent research obviously
seems to thrive in a setting where the mind has space tothink, and the spirit freedom to soar.
This is the kind of environment that awaits you in Bayreuth.
It isn’t only the famous opera house that enjoys an international reputation, but also the University and its research
institutes. Scientific exchange profits tremendously fromthe wide variety of disciplines our communicative campus
brings together here. That is probably another reason why
the University of Bayreuth has received so many awards
and honours for its scholarly accomplishments.
A university with an international reputation
The University’s spirit and its excellent research environment are winning over more and more researchers. Moreover, international scholars rate Bayreuth as one of the most
attractive universities in Germany, consistently placing it
among the top institutions in the Humboldt Rankings.
The University has an impressive international network andmaintains more than 150 partnerships with universities
and research institutions abroad. In addition, researchers

benefit from the services of the University of Bayreuth Graduate School, which promotes scientific exchange in the earlyphases of independent research and offers a range of workshops and training opportunities. In addition, elite graduate programmes and research activities at the University
are supported by the Elite Network of Bavaria.
An enriching work environment awaits you
We are committed to equal opportunities, fostering scientific careers through coaching, mentoring, and dual career
support, and helping couples and families to balance theirworking and private lives. You’ll find plenty of inspirationon our small yet well-laid-out campus, where we place lessemphasis on growth and more on optimizing our quality
infrastructure.
In doing so, we rely on subject-specific and interdisciplinary
research priorities that allow us to be among the world’sbest. Our research strength allows us to meet a considerable portion of our financial obligations using third-party
funds. Over the past 30 years, some 201 young researchers
from the University of Bayreuth have been appointed toprofessorships in Germany or abroad.

Science and Engineering

Focus areas >>How new fields of research emerge
in uncharted territory.

A High Pressure & High Temperature Research
A Advanced Materials
E Energy Research & Energy Technology
A Polymer &Colloid Sciences

A Nonlinear Dynamics

A Ecology & theEnvironmental Sciences
A Molecular
Biosciences

E Food & Health Sciences

E Governance & Responsibility

E Innovation &Consumer Protection

Life Sciences

A African Studies

E Cultural Encounters &Transcultural Processes

Humanities
and Social Sciences

Did you know that some of Africa’s most promising scholars are doing their doctoral research in northern Bavaria?
Would you have thought that spider silk is thinner thanhuman hair, yet has greater tensile strength than steel
and is more elastic than nylon? Isn’t it reassuring to knowthat in the future the quality and origin of groceries will
be monitored more effectively thanks to Bayreuth’s foodand health sciences research?
These are only a few of the many questions whose answers
you’ll find at the University of Bayreuth. The next generationof Africa scholars, for example, are here at the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS). Regarded as a leading educational institution, the School hasreceived €10 million in funding from Germany’s federal andstate governments. Meanwhile, Europe’s Airbus plants benefits from close collaboration between our chemistry, physics, and engineering departments and the University’s research centres working in the field of polymer research. And
consumer protection studies is now at home in the focus
area Food & Health Sciences. Bayreuth’s scholars in this new
field seek to identify the relationships between food quality,
nutrition, general health choices, and physical well-being.

A Advanced Fields
E Emerging Fields

The drivers of scientific innovation at the University
That’s just a small sample of the work being done by the 12
focus areas from which the University of Bayreuth derives its
excellent international reputation for research and teaching.
But what is the key to their success? The focus areas arewhere all the University’s drivers of scientific innovation
meet. Researchers combine the strengths of their individual
subject areas to certain strategically chosen cross-disciplinary
research priorities, thereby bolstering the University’s innovative potential.
Two steps to world-class research
The established focus areas are known as the Advanced
Fields A . These are carefully selected research concentrations whose centres collaborate with global leaders in theirfields. In contrast, the Emerging Fields E represent thenewer interdisciplinary fields that have developed in response to critical, socially relevant demand for such research. Both the Advanced Fields and the Emerging Fields
offer scholars a diverse range of unique opportunities tocontribute to cutting-edge research.

Faculties >>The University of Bayreuth works together with over
150 partner universities worldwide. Each semester, it hosts
internationally renowned scholars as visiting professors.

Our faculties:
fertile ground for researchand teaching.
The University of Bayreuth has seven faculties, whose(inter)disciplinary concentrations are the source of ouruniversity’s international reputation – ideal conditions
for those who want to teach and conduct research withthe best and brightest.
The University of Bayreuth may not offer the same rangeof courses as super-sized universities. But our size makes it
easier for us to ensure the highest academic standards
across our whole spectrum of courses. And we in Bayreuth
agree: that is what really counts.
The secret to our success: the strength of our disciplines
We understand that strong disciplines are the basis of crossdisciplinary teaching and research. It is for this reason that
the University has chosen to concentrate its efforts on sevenfaculties, making sure that their research and teaching isfacilitated across the board.

Advanced Grants awarded by European Research Council
We take pride in our accomplishments, and our faculties
regularly make headlines in the academic world. In 2013, forexample, three professors at the University of Bayreuth wereawarded Advanced Grants by the European Research Council (ERC). These grants represent the highest honour conferred by the EU for outstanding scholarly achievement.
The grant-holders are based in the Physical Chemistry I research group of the Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry & Geophysics (one of the University’s
research centres), where they are conducting trailblazing
fundamental research on the design of new materials.
A recipe for research excellence
In 2016, a scholar in Bayreuth received the Leibniz Prize forhis outstanding work in the field of experimental petrology.
Our reputation for scholarly achievement has affected the
University positively in every regard. And our campus, with
its impressive research facilities and institutes, has long
been an international magnet for teaching and research.
That is probably why the University of Bayreuth has beenable to celebrate so many awards and honours for its scholarly accomplishments.

Faculty of Mathematics, Physics& Computer Science

It is impossible to imagine today’s world without thecountless contributions that have come from the fields
of mathematics, physics, and computer science. They playa fundamental role in our daily lives, and are an essential
part of a number of neighbouring disciplines. The scientists working in these fields drive research forward with
their creativity and ensure that this spark catches on inteaching.
At our faculty, students and early-career scholars have thechance to work in a highly creative research environment.
This is evidenced by renowned research awards, major externally funded projects, and the four programmes of study
currently offered by the Elite Network of Bavaria: Biological
Physics, Macromolecular Science, the STEM Teacher Education Programme, and Scientific Computing.

Research and teaching of the highest orderWithout a doubt, the fine reputation and excellent research
conditions of our faculty attract outstanding scientists. They
not only impress the scientific community with their excellent research, but are also award-winning educators – proof
that their commitment to teaching is appreciated by ourstudents. The Faculty’s outstanding teaching and research
infrastructure includes state-of-the-art laboratories, powerful mainframes, modern lecture halls, and PC pools. The wellequipped library also provides free access to an extensive
range of e-books. Students also benefit from researchbased internships, in addition to having access to highperformance mathematical software. They can write theirbachelor’s or master’s thesis while working as part of an international research team in a field such as robotics, computer graphics, data science, algebraic geometry, dynamics
and optimization, biological physics, or innovative materials
and energy.
Exciting collaboration on campus
The Faculty’s institutes are active in interdisciplinary research
associations and research training groups, covering topics
such as polymer and colloid science, molecular bioscience,high-pressure and high-temperature research, non-linear dynamics, and complex systems. In the interfaculty ResearchCentre for Modelling & Simulation (MODUS), our sophisticatedtheoretical methods and computational processes are applied in fields as varied as energy technology, sports, philosophy, and economics.

Faculty of Biology, Chemistry& Earth Sciences

ture research, we investigate what holds the earth’s core together.

Can we preserve the environment and natural resources ina sustainable way? What are the effects of climate change
and microplastics on the environment? How can energy beconverted and used efficiently? These questions are examples of the important, future-oriented research topics
at our faculty.
In one DFG collaborative research centre, we investigate thephysical, chemical, and biological processes that are responsible for the effects of microplastics on the environment.
And we ask how plastics can be modified to reduce the burden on the environment. Another focus is the combinationof nanotechnology with the macroscopic world, known asmesotechnology. At the Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry and Geophysics, which is internationally renowned for its high-pressure and high-tempera-

Funding in the millions
For more than 30 years, excellent work has been done in ourfaculty and at the affiliated institutes, as obvious from collaborative research programmes and individual projects funded by the DFG, the State of Bavaria, and the EU. Renowned
research fellowships such as ERC grants and Lichtenberg professorships demonstrate the extraordinarily high standardof our research. In terms of attracting funding relative to ournumber of scientists, the life sciences occupy a leading position compared with other German universities. In the field ofpolymer research, the University of Bayreuth, together with
the University of Mainz, actually receives by far the most DFG
support. The geosciences also receive extensive funding in
the field of climate and environmental research.
Strong performance in university rankingsThanks to the survey responses from our students, the University of Bayreuth is once again among the leaders in thecurrent CHE rankings in biology, chemistry, and geosciences.
The study environment, the supervision of students, and theequipment in the student laboratories regularly receive very
good ratings, with chemistry currently in second place andgeosciences in third. We are particularly proud of the teacher
education programme in biology, which took first placenationwide in the categories “Assessment of Study Organization”, “Mentoring by Teachers”, and “General Study Situation”.

Faculty of Law, Business& Economics

Faculty of Languages & Literatures

A hive of research activity
The close connection between law and business has also
resulted in some exciting new research approaches, whichfind expression in numerous interdisciplinary research centres. The work of the research centres is reflected in a variety
of ways: in addition to regular events such as guest talks
and special lectures, the University of Bayreuth hosts a wide
range of meetings, conferences, and workshops on its campus each year. The Faculty’s research findings commonly
feature in renowned journals, books, and commentaries.

A globalized future will see the demand for universal skill
sets continue to rise. For this reason, our faculty attaches
great importance to providing a general education thatcuts across subject boundaries and gets students involved in research projects at an early stage.
We combine law, business, and economics under one roof,
offering innovative, interdisciplinary degree programmessuch as Health Economics; Sport, Business & Law; Business
Administration & Engineering; and Philosophy & Economics.
Law students in Bayreuth can earn additional qualificationsin economics or engineering.

Excellent student support
Our faculty has held top positions for years. Students inparticular, but also the business world, have given our lecturers and graduates top ratings. As illustrated by the rankings, they praise Bayreuth’s above-average study environment and well-structured degree programmes. It goes without saying that we provide students with an ideal learning
environment in addition to excellence in research andteaching. In addition, a well-organized alumni network helps
graduates to build up their professional networks.
International network
The University of Bayreuth works together with over 150
partner universities worldwide. Each semester, it hosts internationally renowned scholars as visiting professors.

What new opportunities does the 21st century hold instore for opera and theatre? How will languages and cultures develop in the face of global change? Why do over
50 million people in West Africa speak Hausa? What are
the influences of new media on the diverse cultures of ourworld?
Languages are keys to other cultures, and the Faculty of Languages & Literatures at the University of Bayreuth is committed to opening doors to the cultures of the world. Shortwalking distances, small learning groups, and close contact
with lecturers create just the right conditions for a wellsupervised and intensive programme of study.

Building bridges to foreign cultures
The range of programmes offered by our faculty includes
African Verbal & Visual Arts, English & American Studies, Arabic
Studies, German Studies, Islamic Studies, Romance Studies,Music, Theatre, and Media Studies. Many degree programmes
have an interdisciplinary component, offer the option of
a dual degree with international partner universities, andare oriented towards intercultural processes. Of particularinterest are the relationships between European and nonEuropean languages, and their literatures and cultures. The
Faculty strives to develop intercultural study programmeswith universities in various regions around the world. All of
the Faculty’s programmes of study are mindful of researchin their respective fields, and have a clear vision of their applications and practical relevance. Studying at our facultymeans studying in an interdisciplinary and globally networked environment!
International research and doctoral studies
The departments within our faculty have a track recordof putting into practice Humboldt’s ideal of the unity ofteaching and research. They are supported by the German
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the DFG, and maintain a wealth of international contacts and partnerships.
Graduates are spoiled for choice by the wide range of doctoral programmes, such as Computer Game Studies, Music& Performance, Media Culture & Media Economy, and Communicative Construction of Knowledge, as well as courses
offered through BIGSAS.

Faculty of Humanities &Social Sciences

Faculty of Engineering Science

New perspectives and broader horizons
Our range of courses allows students to broaden their intellectual horizons across faculties. For example, the degree
programmes Philosophy & Economics; Sport, Business &Law; and History & Economics are coordinated together
with the Faculty of Law, Business & Economics. The interdisciplinary dual degree programme Culture & Society, which
is offered jointly with the Faculty of Languages & Literatures, allows students to choose from among nine different
subjects. Meanwhile, African Culture & Society combines
anthropology and sociology. Development Studies, which
is taught in English, trains the international experts of tomorrow. The Faculty also offers a range of doctoral programmes.
People ignorant of their cultural roots can neither understand the world nor change it. Knowledge of the humanities and social sciences forms the necessary basis formastering the diverse challenges of a global future.
The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences lives by theprinciple of the academic unity of research and teaching.
It translates the research strengths of its individual subject
areas – including philosophy and the study of religion, anthropology, sociology, history, educational science, and sports
science – into innovative, research-oriented teaching, while
nurturing early-career scholars.

International research and qualifications
The Faculty is one of the key centres of Bayreuth’s Africa research, and is deeply involved in the Cluster of Excellence
Africa Multiple. In addition, we network closely with research
institutions in Latin America and other regions of the world.

Did you know that spider silk has five times the tensile
strength of steel – yet is as elastic as rubber? It’s just one of
the many phenomena our departments within the Facultyof Engineering Science are investigating.
Ever curious, our faculty explores a vast domain spanningthe environmental sciences, biology, and advanced materials. Our research focuses on various areas involving energy
technology, materials, processes, mechatronics, and sensor
technology.

An ideal environment for research and teaching
Our faculty contributes to the Technology Alliance of Upper
Franconia (TAO), a unique initiative which was created to foster cooperation and take advantage of synergies in teaching,research, and training between the Universities of Bayreuth
and Bamberg, Coburg University of Applied Sciences andArts, and Hof University of Applied Sciences. Together, we
carry out innovative projects centred around a number ofcore issues such as energy and transport. These projects frequently take a cross-disciplinary approach to investigating
topics such as sensor technologies, information technologies, materials, and human-machine interfaces. While newcore subjects such as healthcare are being established,technologies stemming from the fields of bioanalytics, foodand beverage technology, and water resource management that have potential for broader applications are also
being explored. In Bayreuth, this diverse array of research
topics is brought together by the Centre for Materials Science & Engineering and the Centre for Energy Technology.
The world is your laboratory
It goes without saying that our students benefit from thiscooperation. They get the chance to wrestle with some of
the most challenging problems currently facing engineers
while enjoying an extensive range of additional tutorials
and classes. State-of-the-art laboratories, small study groups,
and personal contact with instructors help to create an ideal
learning environment.

Faculty of Life Sciences:
Food, Nutrition & Health

An integrative approach to health and nutrition
The Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition & Health is facing
up to both of these closely related challenges, and in so doing is breaking new ground in Germany. We are convincedthat one can only really understand the connections between nutrition, exercise, and health if one understands how
they relate to relevant economic, legal, and sociological aspects, as well as behavioural questions.

How do we provide as many people as possible with highquality, healthy food? Is it possible to slow down the rapid
increase in diseases of civilization such as type II diabetes,
the causes of which are to a large extent to be found in ourdiet and lifestyle? What behavioural patterns and socioeconomic factors prevent people from looking after theirown long-term well-being?
Two of the greatest challenges of the 21st century are the sustainable production and distribution of high-quality, healthy
food on the one hand, and the effective prevention of disease on the other.

For this reason, the Faculty closely combines research andteaching skills from a wide range of disciplines, such as biology, biochemistry, health economics, food and consumer
law, sociology, behavioural science, and sports science. The
scientific focus is on the following topics: metabolomics,
epigenomics, bioinformatics, digital health, new breeding
methods, food law, behavioural economics, and publichealth.
Bayreuth spirit on the Kulmbach Campus
The University’s Faculty of Life Sciences is located in the
nearby town of Kulmbach. It is home not only to several
international food companies, but also to the Max RubnerInstitute, the Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and
Veterinary Medicine, the State Technical College for Food Technology, the Competence Centre for Nutrition, and the Kulmbach Clinical Centre. All these bodies are involved in various
research projects and in the Faculty’s teaching activities.

Strategic alliances >>The university of networkers.
Conferences and other important academic events regularly
take place at the University of Bayreuth. In addition, there isa broad range of talks, lectures, and workshops dealing withsome of the most pressing issues of our time.

A university that wants to be one of the best can never reston its laurels. That’s why we in Bayreuth are constantly
thinking about how we can improve and expand the spectrum of research and teaching we offer. Today, the University benefits from a number of strategic alliances thatwill continue to raise our profile in terms of quality as wemove forward into the future.
The University of Bayreuth cooperates with the best German
universities in nationwide programmes, and has even assumed leadership in joint ventures, helping to advance research areas such as algebraic geometry, rare earth elements,and material modelling. At the same time, we are hard atwork across borders as a member of many different European research alliances, and we lead several international
consortia, for instance research groups on teaching STEM
subjects and energy-efficient windows. Another good example of a vibrant international network is the AEGIS Group,
which links Europe’s leading African studies institutes, including the Bayreuth Institute for African Studies, and organizes a joint summer school every year.

Research with real-world relevanceOur cooperation with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is of particular interest. There are two Fraunhofer research groups at
the University that foster national and international cooperation with industry. Together with the Max Rubner Institute, we also host the Research Centre for Food Quality, inwhich regional companies from the food industry are also
involved.
University cooperation at all levels
The University of Bayreuth also works together closely withneighbouring universities, such as Erlangen-Nuremberg,
Würzburg, and Bamberg. Together, we push forward basic
research in the sciences and the humanities, but also develop innovative technical applications. A prominent exampleof this is polymer and plastics technology. As a strategic alliance, TAO brings together the efforts and ideas of all thehigher education institutions in our region.

International orientation >>Teaching and researchinginternationally.
The University’s professional advisory and support services
bring German and international students together at an earlystage of their studies. In addition, we regularly offer intercultural projects and training programmes and reach out toour alumni community in a number of different ways.

A university that strives to be among the best in researchand teaching must not shy away from international comparison. In this regard, the University of Bayreuth has been
keeping pace since 1986, long before the Bologna Process.
It was then that the founding president established initial
contacts with Shanghai International Studies University inorder to facilitate the international exchange of students
and lecturers. Since that time, the University has continued
to expand its fruitful strategic partnerships. Today Bayreuthis known for its exciting bilateral and multilateral study programmes with dual degrees, for example with the Universities of Pablo de Olavide (Spain), Bordeaux (France), and Ohio
(United States). The range of courses includes a number ofinternational programmes of study in English, French, andSpanish. Equally popular are its Summer Schools. The University is also involved in a variety of research projects withinternational partners, and offers joint doctoral degrees incooperation with several universities abroad.

Successful international strategy
These are all offshoots of our internationalization strategy,
which received a most favourable review in an extended
re-audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference in
2019. The Internationalization of Universities audit is fundedby the federal government, and reinforces the University of
Bayreuth’s objectives of working with the best and brightest
worldwide, attracting promising young scholars, and recruiting outstanding international students.
African studies – a beacon of international cooperation
For over 30 years, Bayreuth’s scholars have been conducting
joint research with their African counterparts on topics relating to Africa. BIGSAS and the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies (BA) host researchers in the field fromall over the world. They work hand in glove with more than
30 universities in 25 different African countries. International cooperation has been going so well that €40 million inthird-party funding has been acquired for African studies
over the past ten years. BIGSAS is funded by the Excellence
Initiative of the German federal and state governments,
while BA receives its support from the DFG.

Partnerships worldwide >>Ideas without borders.
The DAAD has supported this partnership since2015 as part of its programme “Strategic Partnerships
and Thematic Networks”.

The University of Bayreuth currently works with over 150
partner universities worldwide. Drawing on many yearsof experience of conducting international projects, Bayreuth competes actively on the international market, andthe University continues to push forward internationalization by setting up offices abroad.
The International Office is the hub for all matters relating to
the University’s international network. It develops and coordinates strategic concepts, while initiating and cultivatinginternational partnerships in science and industry.
One International Office, many services
Welcome & Alumni Services provides guidance and support
for students and researchers from abroad. In addition, theoffice helps researchers and their families to travel and network within the European scientific community. Welcome& Alumni Services, the Welcome Centre, and the Bayreuth International Alumni Centre have received several awards fortheir valuable work.

International strategy bearing fruit
In 2016, the University of Bayreuth set up its first gateway
office at Shanghai International Studies University, taking its
strategic partnership of over 30 years to a whole new level.
The office serves all members of the University and its
partners in the East Asia region. This is where, for example,
the joint bachelor’s and master’s programmes in German
and Economics are coordinated, programmes that havebeen praised as examples of successful ventures in bilateral teaching in both Germany and China. The University of
Bayreuth now works closely with more than ten universities
in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
Scientific cooperation worldwide
As of 2018, there is also a gateway office at the University of
Melbourne in Australia. From here, joint ventures with eight
universities in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, and even
New Zealand can be efficiently coordinated. Further gateway offices are set to be opened in Bordeaux and Boston.
In addition, the University has founded four African Cluster
Centres in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa aspart of its Cluster of Excellence. Internationalization has long
been a tangible feature of the University of Bayreuth. Students from all over the world truly enrich campus life with
their unique perspectives and flair.

A university for company founders >>Taking care of business.
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Department of the
University of Bayreuth champions start-ups and spin-offs
as well as knowledge transfer. It also arranges contact
between external company founders and cooperating partners at the University.

The innovative strength of our region’s economy is a key
factor in keeping it competitive. For this reason, the University of Bayreuth has long been fostering and developing its cooperation with industrial partners as a matter ofcourse.
On the one hand, with its far-reaching joint ventures in research, it supports the SMEs of Upper Franconia as a thinktank, and on the other hand it actively promotes entrepreneurial thinking and initiatives on campus.
A hothouse for entrepreneurial spirit and new ideas
As a university for founders, Bayreuth aims to provide bothstudents and staff as early as possible with the tools theyneed to successfully implement their creative ideas andapply them to their own company or start-up. And ourfriendly, open campus culture offers the ideal conditions
in one place. Using various teaching formats, such as Ideation Week, students are familiarized with innovation andcreativity techniques through real-life challenges. Project
management tools such as (Lego) Scrum and models forplanning your own business concepts are provided. If you
wish, you can also apply for a start-up semester so that you
can fully concentrate on your business idea and perfect it.
This has proved to be a winning formula, as the number ofstart-ups originating in Bayreuth keeps growing steadily.

Think and act like an entrepreneur
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Department is where allpaths converge, when it comes to establishing exciting new
contacts between science and business. Here, research andinnovation partners are brought together and advised,knowledge transfers arranged, and funding opportunities
explored. In addition, an Institute for Entrepreneurship &Innovation and a municipal start-up and innovation centre
are being planned, both of which will link up regional players even more closely.
Founding a successful businessIn addition, the department promotes entrepreneurial thinking and initiative among students. Here, they are equippedwith the necessary qualifications and skills to found theirown company. The department provides comprehensive
support including advice on setting up a business, accessto support programmes for start-ups, and assistance applying for industrial property rights.
In addition, the University supports student initiatives suchas the 5-Euro Business Competition on the subject of businessstart-ups, the company forum Gründerforum Bayreuth, andEnactus Bayreuth, an initiative for social entrepreneurship.

Family-friendly university, diversity >>An equal opportunities environment.
The University is committed to equal opportunities, and actively
supports scientific careers through coaching, mentoring, and dual
career support, helping couples and families to balance work andprivate life.

“Our campus provides a setting for life in all its diversity –people take centre stage, regardless of their skin colour,
origin, gender identity, religion, or worldview.”(excerpt from the University’s mission statement)
The University of Bayreuth makes every effort to maintaingender equality, inclusion, and family friendliness. In theyears 2006, 2010, and 2013, the family-friendly infrastructureof our campus was audited and approved by berufundfamiliegGmbH, part of the Hertie Foundation. In 2016, the University of Bayreuth joined the best practice club Familie in der
Hochschule and signed the corresponding charter to help
ensure students and staff members are able to balance family and working life. In 2018, the University received theGerman Association of University Professors and Lecturers(DHV) quality seal for its transparent and fair appointment
negotiations. Beyond this, there are many measures withwhich the University has successfully built up a family andinclusion-friendly environment for research, study, and administration.
Space to think for families
For example, several preschools are located right on campus or in the immediate vicinity. Plus, the University offers
flexitime arrangements, teleworking options, and flexible
part-time positions. In addition, we make sure to take specific family situations into account in university regulations.

Equal opportunities promote the potential to innovate
Moreover, the University aims to increase the proportion of
women in management positions and in STEM subjects. It
is actively supported in this by several women’s representatives, who help the University to implement its gender equality policy. In particular, the women’s representatives ensurethat female scholars and students do not experience disadvantage in any form. Everyone – regardless of their gender,
background, or nationality – should have the same opportunities on campus. Diversity can only enrich our university
and unlock more innovation.
Actions speak louder than words
The Equal Opportunities Department ensures that words arebacked up by deeds. This dedicated team keeps an eye on
the awarding of scholarships, supports female scientists
through coaching and mentoring, and assists the life partners of staff who have moved to Bayreuth. In addition, weorganize STEM programmes and activities for girls attending
secondary school in and around Bayreuth.

In 2018, the University of Bayreuth received
the DHV quality seal for fair and transparent
appointment negotiations.

Green campus >>Where responsibility
involves sustainability.
The University of Bayreuth sees itself as having a
special responsibility to serve as a role model whenit comes to advancing sustainable development insociety – a vision which has a significant impact on
the University’s decision-making.

A visitor taking a stroll over the picturesque grounds of
the University of Bayreuth would be right in assumingthat mindful and sustainable treatment of the environment plays a special role here.
This is yet another area where the University meets its responsibilities. Everyone works together in an interdisciplinary
way to nurture sustainable thinking on campus and in society at large. Many activities are initiated by student organizations, members of the student body, and university staff.
Sustainability is also a central issue in the teaching and research activities of a number of our faculties.
A student voice for sustainable development
These activities are coordinated using the Green Campus
platform, which was launched by the University Governing
Board in 2016. The Green Campus team is made up of students from a wide variety of subject areas, and is actively
supported by the teaching staff. Their mission is to recommend measures to improve resource management, nature
conservation, and awareness of healthy eating and lifestyles.
The coffee machines on campus, for example, will now only
be stocked with reusable cups that are returned via a deposit
system. The University is facing up to its responsibilities andhas included sustainable development on campus amongits top priorities.

Fairtrade University quality seal
In 2016, the University of Bayreuth became Bavaria’s first
university to earn the title Fairtrade University, awarded byTransFair Deutschland e.V. in recognition of promoting Fairtrade products on campus. In addition, as part of a pilot project the University is developing a criteria catalogue to implement sustainability measures at higher education institutions across Germany.
Bayreuth among the world’s best
In the 2018 UI Green Metric World University Rankings, theUniversity of Bayreuth ranked second nationally and 28th
internationally. These rankings evaluate the most dedicatedand successful universities in the field of sustainability.

Since 2016 the University of Bayreuth
has been a “Fairtrade University”.

The city of Bayreuth >>You don’t have to love Wagner
to love Bayreuth.
Unlike at larger universities, in Bayreuth you’re sure to run
into people you’ve met on campus. When you need a break,Bayreuth’s city centre offers many charming spots to discover.

Whether you have joined our university to study, work,or conduct research – there is one point on which we can
all agree: newcomers feel at home here in no time. The
University of Bayreuth, with around 13,500 students, isa comfortable size, and it is a place where you will makenew contacts quickly.
With a population of around 74,000, Bayreuth is not particularly large, but that is one of its charms. The city may beworld-famous for its annual opera festival, but it also offers
a wealth of cultural and artistic attractions aside from Wagner. It should come as no surprise that the city’s party andpub scene is firmly in the hands of the students. And you will
be surprised by how quickly you find your way around, as theboundaries between campus and the city centre disappear.
Campus culture at its finest
Perhaps you would like to help shape our campus culture
beyond just taking it in. That can certainly be arranged. For
instance, you could sing in the university choir or the gospel
choir, or play your instrument in the university orchestra or
big band. The campus also hosts regular film screenings
during the semester, as well as art exhibitions, theatre productions, a variety of musical performances, and last but notleast the University’s annual open air festival.

Weekend trips
The Frankenjura and Fichtel Mountains, right on Bayreuth’s
doorstep, are ideal for sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, rafting, and skiing. Bayreuth and the surrounding region offer plenty of ways to enrich your leisure time. However, if you do happen to crave
the feel of a bigger city now and then, Nuremburg is only a
one-hour train ride away, and Munich is only two-and-ahalf hours away. You can reach Berlin in four hours by car,and Leipzig in half that time. And don’t forget: being in theheart of Europe means Prague is also only a three-hour driveaway.

Get in touch with us >>Welcome to our campus!
The University of Bayreuth continues to increase thestrength of its international reputation. All work carriedout by the University Governing Board is characterizedby mutual respect and trust.

You’ll be inspired by the exceptional spirit that flows
through our university.
For example, take Prof. Andreas Voßkuhle, President of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, who discovered his passion for law in Bayreuth. He says: “I deliberately began mystudies at a young, dynamic university, and soon appreciated what a conducive place it was for study, and the close
supervision I received during my first semesters from theprofessors who teach there.”

Why not get in touch?
We look forward to hearing from you.

Come discover a university whose interdisciplinary approachis reflected in the contributions of its students, researchers,
alumni, and local sponsors.

Phone: +49 (0)921 550
info@uni-bayreuth.dewww.uni-bayreuth.de/en

University of Bayreuth
Central University Administration
Universitätsstr. 30
95447 BayreuthPhone: +49 (0)921 550
Email: info@uni-bayreuth.de
Web: www.uni-bayreuth.de/en

Design: www.creatives-at-work.de
Images: Lili Nahapetian, Maya Krystosek, Donal Khosrowi, Jürgen Rennecke, iStock

University of Bayreuth
Universitätsstr. 30
95447 Bayreuth