Afrikanistik (grundständig)

This university degree (Studium) takes place at universities. Learning locations at the university include lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, language labs, and libraries. Learning also occurs at home (e.g., preparing for and reviewing courses, completing assignments; potentially participating in online courses).

Study Type: Undergraduate (grundständig) degree. Study Options: University. Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Standard Study Period: 3-4 years. African Studies Undergraduate Field: This undergraduate field of study provides fundamental scientific knowledge in the history, literatures, and cultures of Africa, as well as language proficiency in one or more African languages. This field can sometimes be combined with other subjects. Possible Undergraduate Programs: African Verbal and Visual Arts, Afrikanische Sprachen, Medien und Kommunikation, Sprachen und Kulturen Afrikas. Admission Requirements: At universities and equivalent higher education institutions, general or, if applicable, subject-specific university entrance qualification (Hochschulreife) is required. Additionally, passing an internal university selection process and demonstrating proficiency in English and a second foreign language may be necessary. Study Content: Students attend lectures, seminars, and practical exercises at the university, for example, in modules such as "Introduction to the Languages and Cultures."

The standard study period is 6-8 semesters. The average actual study duration is 10 semesters. Source: Statistisches Bundesamt (Federal Statistical Office of Germany), Statistical Report - Statistics of Examinations at German Higher Education Institutions - Examination Year 2024.

Study Costs: Enrollment and administration fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the student union, student body, semester ticket) are incurred. Tuition fees may apply for "long-term students," a second degree (Studium), or after exhausting a set study credit. Expenses for learning materials and study needs, such as specialized literature and excursions, are also part of the costs. Student health insurance contributions are usually required if the age limit of 25 years or certain income thresholds are exceeded. Funding Opportunities: Information is available from Deutsches Studierendenwerk (German Student Union) - Funding Opportunities, and the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG - Federal Education Assistance Act) as amended on December 7, 2010 (BGBl. I S. 1952), most recently amended by Article 11 Para. 1 of the law of April 16, 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107).

Modules: For example, Introduction to African Languages and Cultures, Cultural Practice, Media and Communication, Cultural History of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, Manuscript Cultures in Africa, Language Course: Fundamentals of an African Language, Language Course: Advanced African Language, Theories, Critique, and Synthesis: Cultural Anthropology. Practical Study Content: Internships may be required (e.g., project assignments abroad).

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Courses: Attending lectures and seminars in the university's lecture halls and seminar rooms during the semester; potentially participating in online courses from home. Practical Exercises: For example, conducting phonetics exercises in language labs. Independent Work: Preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, completing assignments (even during lecture-free periods). Organization: Independently planning the degree (Studium) within the given study structure, adhering to submission deadlines and study periods, and completing study and examination requirements on time (self-discipline and organizational talent are required). Career Preparation: Potentially completing internships (e.g., project assignments abroad), preparing for entry into a profession.

Students can complete parts of their degree (Studium) abroad. For example, there is an International Undergraduate (grundständig) Program in African Languages and Cultures - language-intensive, offered in Africa. This program is provided by the University of Hamburg and partner universities in Africa, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. For more information, refer to the University of Hamburg: International Bachelor's Program African Languages and Cultures - language-intensive.

The following fields of study can be alternatives to African Studies (grundständig) undergraduate degree: Language and Literature Sciences: General and Comparative Literature (undergraduate), General and Comparative Linguistics (undergraduate), Egyptology (undergraduate), Interpreting (undergraduate), Translating (undergraduate), Computational Linguistics (undergraduate), Regional Studies - Africa (undergraduate). Commonalities: Working with language; applying linguistic, literary-historical, and literary-theoretical methods; acquiring knowledge about language and literature, as well as culture, history, philosophy, political and social institutions, and education systems.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for a successful degree (Studium): English and French: For example, to gain easier access to foreign-language specialized literature. German: For example, to write academic papers. History and Politics/Social Studies: For example, to be able to contextualize the political and social situation in Africa.

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career start. The following topics, for example, are relevant: New Media, Writing and Presentation Techniques, Language Courses. Elective and compulsory elective modules, such as in-depth African language skills, can also provide additional qualifications. Internships, for example in project assignments abroad, specifically prepare for professional life. Opportunities to acquire additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of higher education institutions (see contact details of the respective institution) and on Hochschulkompass's "Higher Education Institutions in Germany - University Search."

The undergraduate (grundständig) study program in African Studies (Afrikanistik) provides fundamental academic knowledge in the history, literatures, and cultures of Africa, as well as language proficiency in one or more African languages. It leads to a first university degree. This subject can sometimes be combined with other fields.

Examples: African Verbal and Visual Arts (Bachelor), Afrikanische Sprachen, Medien und Kommunikation (Bachelor), Sprachen und Kulturen Afrikas (Bachelor).

Depending on the university, African Studies can be combined with subjects such as: English Studies, American Studies (undergraduate), German Studies (undergraduate), Media Studies (undergraduate), Religious Studies (undergraduate), Romance Studies - French (undergraduate), Sociology (undergraduate).

Bachelor graduates in African Studies have various career opportunities in the private sector, such as art and cultural management, editing, journalism, proofreading, or adult education.

1845: Founding of the German Oriental Society and institutionalization of the study of Asian, African, and Oceanic languages. 1909: Establishment of the first German African Studies chair in Hamburg. 20th century: Study content became increasingly interdisciplinary, incorporating humanities, cultural, and social science approaches. 1999: Beginning of the Bologna Process: Reform of the European higher education landscape with goals including: creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees through the introduction of Bachelor's and Master's programs, and improving student and faculty mobility.

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

The following vocational training (Ausbildung) professions can be alternatives for this field of study: Foreign Languages Sector: State-certified interpreter (Ausbildung), foreign language correspondent, wholesale and foreign trade management specialist (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Groß- und Außenhandelsmanagement) - foreign trade specialization, commercial assistant/economic assistant - foreign languages, business translator, state-certified translator (Ausbildung). Commonalities: Foreign language skills, foreign language communication, working with foreign language texts. Searching through professional fields may open up further alternatives. For more information on perspectives after dropping out of a study program, visit "Studienabbruch - und dann?" and studienwahl.de.

No remuneration is received during the study program (Studium). Compensation can be arranged for practical phases (internships).

Federal Level: The Framework Act for Higher Education (HRG) and inter-state structural guidelines for the accreditation of Bachelor's and Master's programs. Additionally, there is a qualifications framework for German higher education degrees. State Level: Higher education laws in conjunction with administrative regulations, for example, regarding the accreditation of study programs, qualification, or university admission regulations. University Level: The university's statutes and the study and examination regulations for the respective field of study.

The prerequisite for studying at universities and equivalent higher education institutions (Hochschulen) is the general or, if applicable, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife), or a certificate recognized as equivalent by the competent authority of the respective federal state (Bundesland) (e.g., Ministry of Culture). Information on studying without a school-based higher education entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals: Access to higher education varies in each federal state (Bundesland). Depending on the university, an internal selection process may take place. If necessary, proficiency in English and a second foreign language must be demonstrated.

Bachelor graduates of African Studies can continue their Studium (academic studies) in an advanced study program, such as African Studies or Regional Studies - Africa. This allows them to expand their professional and career opportunities.