Master's Programme in the Study of Religion
The most notable feature of the Master’s Degree is its innovative interplay of the four thematic foci of the Study of Religion at the University of Bayreuth: Contemporary Religious Cultures, Contemporary Islamic Cultures, Global Entanglements and Religion in Africa. Students have the choice to focus on an individual research area or to develop a more general course of study. They are encouraged to develop a professional profile by integrating a career-oriented internship or an independent study into their curriculum. They can also acquire job-relevant competences by pursuing methodological training in empirical research, or by focusing on source languages.
The MA is more flexible than the more structured BA programme. Learning and teaching formats that promote independent study – reading courses, research workshops, research seminars, and independent studies – make up a significant part of the programme.
In addition to having the opportunity to pursue full-time or part-time studies, students can choose to complete a semester abroad in the course of the programme.
The MA programme offers research-oriented teaching in areas that are key to the Study of Religion at the University of Bayreuth. The goal is to supply students with in-depth knowledge about the religious life of contemporary societies. The programme reinforces and deepens the religious studies dimension of the BA degree in Culture and Society and the minor in the Study of Religion. However, it can also serve as an entry point into religious studies for graduates from other disciplines as long as there is an overlap with the courses they have taken before; in certain cases, lack of such shared content from the bachelor’s degree can be made up for.
The master’s programme consists of four full-time semesters and eight part-time semesters (120 ECTS). More information about the structure of the programme can be found in the module handbook. The master’s course catalogue includes the current selection of courses.
Application Process
Information on application and enrollment can be found at the bottom of this page. A lateral entry into the master's programme is possible under certain conditions (see below).
Contact Persons
Prof. Dr. Christoph Bochinger (christoph.bochinger@uni-bayreuth.de)
Prof. Dr. Paula Schrode (paula.schrode@uni-bayreuth.de)
Prof. Dr. Eva Spies (eva.spies@uni-bayreuth.de)
Academic Advisor
Andrea Göcer, M.A.
Room: 1.14/ GW II
Phone: +49 (0) 921/ 55-4157
(Secretariat: 55-4149)
E-mail: andrea.goecer@uni-bayreuth.de
Postal Address:
Chair for the Study of Religion
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
University of Bayreuth/ GWII
95440 Bayreuth
- Application ProcessHide
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We now receive applications for the summer semester 2023.
The following documents should be submitted through the application portal:
- Academic transcript from a previous degree;
- Bachelor’s diploma;
- Curriculum Vitae.
If your candidacy is suitable, you will receive a letter of admission from the chairman of the examination committee (Prof. Dr. Paula Schrode).
First day of lectures for the summer semester is 17 April 2023.
Contact details:
Secretary for the Study of Religion
E-Mail: religion@uni-bayreuth.de
Phone: +49 (0) 921/ 55-4156 or 55-4149Postal address:
Chair for the Study of Religion
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
University of Bayreuth/ GWII
95440 Bayreuth - Information for Career ChangersHide
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Lateral entry students are those who completed their bachelor’s degree in the Study of Religion outside of the University of Bayreuth or who do not have a degree in the Study of Religion. Since our master’s programme partially builds on the knowledge received as part of the bachelor’s programme, certain prerequisites are necessary for admission. If these are not available, up to six courses from the bachelor’s programme should be attended as an admission requirement:
- Seminar: Fundamentals of Systematic Study of Religion
- Seminar: Methods of Empirical Research in the Study of Religion
- One lecture in the history of religions (e.g. Introduction to Central Asian History of Religion, Introduction to European History of Religion, etc.)
- Three more seminars in the Study of Religion.
Prerequisite courses are usually taken during the course of the first year of study. The examination board decides on their number in individual cases. If you have any questions regarding the prerequisite courses, please contact one of the professors in the department. Further information can also be found here under Exams and Study Regulations.