Equal Opportunities and Diversity for Students

Contact person for first-generation students

For persons who are or want to be the first in their family to study, Prof. Dr. Martin Doevenspeck is available as a contact person. Prof. Doevenspeck was a first-generation student himself. Please do not hesitate to contact him.

Contact details
Contact details of Prof. Doevenspeck on the Political Geography website

ArbeiterKind.de

ArbeiterKind.de is a nationwide non-profit initiative to support 1st-generation students, i.e. people who are the first in their family to study. Students and lecturers who would like to start a Bayreuth group of Arbeiterkind.de can get in touch with the coordination office of Arbeiterkind.de Bayern.

More information & contact
ArbeiterKind.de Bavaria website (in German)

becks - Office of the Commissioner for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses

becks will be happy to answer any questions and problems you may have concerning studying with a disability or chronic illness.

Access to studies

• Special requests to arrange cases of hartship and admission with disadvantage compensation.
  

Examination conditions and disadvantage compensation,

• which are adapted to the individual need of disabled and chronically ill students.
  

Accessible Studying

• study and examination assistants, technical aids, architectural and structural accessibility, audio systems, special parking spaces.

How to finance your study 

• Special social benefits for disabled and chronically ill students.
  

More info & contact
becks website

Reporting Portal for Access Barriers

The reporting portal is an online form to report access barriers and suggest solutions. Reports can be made anonymously or by providing contact details.

Further information
"Barrierenmelder" on the becks website (German only)

Action Plan: Accessible University of Bayreuth

The University of Bayreuth is currently developing an action plan "Inclusive University of Bayreuth", which will then be implemented progressively. The action plan serves as an instrument to remove access barriers that interfere with students' and employees' right to full and equitable participation. It also aims to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity and inclusion.

"Inclusion at the University of Bayreuth" page

The page offers information on the action plan, contact points for employees and students, and accessibility on campus.

Further info & contact
Page "Inclusion at the University of Bayreuth" of the Diversity Service Centre

General University Sports

The university sports team provides individual support to students and employees with impairments in making the most of the university sports facilities.

Main focus

• Advice on possible exercise and sports activities in your individual situation
  
• Procurement of individual aids
• Contacting course instructors
  

Your ideas and wishes will be taken into account when planning the course programme.

Contact
University Sports website (German only)

Student assistants with disabilities

Are you employed as a student assistant alongside your studies? Then you can also make use of the services offered by the University of Bayreuth to employees with disabilities.

More information
Overview "Equal opportunities & diversity for employees" of the Diversity Service Centre

Diversity Service Centre

In cases of discrimination, harassment and conflicts, you can get individual and confidential counselling from the Diversity Office on

• your options for action,
• all counselling and support services offered by the University of Bayreuth and the Studentenwerk Oberfranken
• the complaint procedure based on our anti-discrimination guidelines.

More information & contact
Page "Anti-Discrimination at the University of Bayreuth" of the Diversity Service Centre

Complaints Office and Complaints Procedure

Students can file a complaint in cases of discrimination and harassment. This initiates a formal complaint procedure, which is carried out by the University of Bayreuth's neutral complaints office.

The complaint procedure is regulated in the Anti-Discrimination Guidelines of the University of Bayreuth. It includes

• the investigation of the facts ("What has happened?")
  
• a legal examination ("Are the facts of discrimination or harassment fulfilled?"),
• a written report of the results,
• measures to eliminate existing discrimination and prevent future discrimination.
  

More information & contact
Page "Anti-Discrimination at the University of Bayreuth" of the Diversity Service Centre

Women's Representative and Gender Equality Service Centre

The University Women's Representative and the Gender Equality Service Centre are available as initial contacts and for advice on sexual harassment and sexualised discrimination.

More information & contact
Page "Consulation in Cases of Mobbing, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment" of the Women's Representative and the Gender Equality Service Centre

Two free and confidential services of legal advice are available to students of the University of Bayreuth:

Legal advice of the Studentenwerk

• Tenancy law (with the exception of the halls of residence of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken)
  
• Contract law, e.g. GEZ, purchase contracts, telephone contracts etc. with the exception of insurance law
• Labour law
• Maintenance law (no BAföG)
  
• Examination law (be sure to bring examination regulations with you)
• (no advice on visa and residence law)
  

More information & contact
Page "Free legal advice" of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken (German only)

Law & Legal e.V.

• General contract law
  
• Sales law (rescission, right of withdrawal and right of return)
• Tenancy law
• Property law (especially ownership issues)
• Inheritance and family law
• Labour and social law
• Company law
• Administrative law
• Asylum and residence law
  

More information & contact
Law & Legal e.V. website (German only)

PULS Study Support

Counselling in your faculty
The faculty advisors for teaching and students are your direct point of contact in your faculty. They offer confidential advice on all questions, problems and conflicts concerning your study situation.

In addition, PULS supports you in ...

• develop the skills you need to successfully and confidently master your studies
• gain more than just specialised knowledge from your studies
• learn relevant skills for your professional life

Lectures and workshops
Lectures and workshops offer you important impulses and practical approaches with which you can further develop yourself in a targeted manner:

• Learn to manage your time confidently and pursue your goals with motivation.
• Expand your ability to work constructively with others and master your exams in a relaxed manner.
• Train techniques for academic work.
• Develop your own professional vision and actively pursue it.

Further information & contact
PULS website (German only)

Student Parliament - Department of Social Affairs, Diversity and Health (SDG)

The Department of Social Affairs, Diversity and Health offers support for all kinds of problems. The department is particularly happy to help students with personal conflicts and communication difficulties.

The spokesperson of the department

• is in close contact with student initiatives that deal intensively with equal opportunities and inclusion, and can provide contact persons and personal support,
• is also well connected to the rest of the student parliament and the administration and is happy to point in the right direction.
  

The SDG department is available if...

• you are looking for contact with other students
  
• you have problems with lecturers or fellow students
• you have questions about university structures and committees
• you do not know who to contact.
  

Contact information
Contact Page "Ansprechpersonen" of the student parliament (German only)

Emergency number 0921 55-3333

To ensure that all people studying and working at the University of Bayreuth can feel safe on campus, an internal emergency number has been set up: 0921 55-3333. The number is intended as a low-threshold supplement to the police emergency call. It can be reached 24/7.

Security service
Calls are forwarded directly to the security service of the University of Bayreuth. The security service is on campus in the evenings, at night and on weekends with uniformed personnel and can be called directly. At other times, they can be called to the campus and to all of the University of Bayreuth's external offices at short notice.

In which cases can the emergency number be dialled?
The number can always be dialled

• if a person is being harassed by other people in the buildings or on the grounds of the university campus,
  
• if a person feels unsafe on campus due to the presence of other persons.
• Third parties who observe such incidents can also notify the security service via the emergency number.
  

In acute emergencies and dangerous situations, please dial the familiar emergency numbers 110 (police) and 112 (fire brigade, emergency doctor, ambulance).

More information
Overview page "Emergency calls" of the University of Bayreuth

Diversity Service Centre

The Diversity Service Centre is committed to equal opportunities and inclusion for all students and employees and to the elimination and prevention of discrimination and harassment. Services for students include:

Information, advice, support

• Information on all diversity services,
• Individual diversity advice for your individual study situation,
• Confidential counselling in cases of discrimination, harassment and conflicts.

Networking and empowerment

• Do you want to network with other students and achieve more together? We support you!
• Do you have ideas on how UBT could become even more diverse and equitable? We are looking forward to your contribution!

More information & contact
Diversity Service Centre website

Family-Friendly University

The Family-Friendly University provides advice on all questions relating to family and studies.

Financing your studies

• Financial support during pregnancy, parental leave, care of relatives
  
• Benefits for students with children
  

Appropriate study organisation

• Leave of absence from regular studies, maternity leave, parental and care leave
  
• Part-time study
• Special regulations for examinations for students with children
• Personal study plan
  

Childcare

• Regular childcare in crèches and kindergartens, childminders, babysitters
  
• Student crèches
• Family-friendly infrastructure such as the parent-child workroom, breastfeeding and nappy-changing rooms, and play corner in the Mensa
  

More information & contact
Family-Friendly University website

Social Counselling SWO

The social counselling of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken

• is free of charge, unbureaucratic and bound to secrecy
• assists with orientation, decision-making and finding solutions
• helps with obtaining information
• refers you to suitable specialist agencies if requested.
  

Counselling includes
Questions about financing a course of study, e.g.

• Student loans
• BAföG
• Social aid
• Scholarships

More information & contact
Pages of the Social Counselling Service of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken

University Women's Representatives

The University Women's Representatives have the task of ensuring that female students, academics and female teaching staff are not placed at a disadvantage.

They support the university on a voluntary basis in fulfilling its legal mandate,

• to promote the actual implementation of equal rights for women and men,
• to take this into account as a guiding principle in all decisions, and
• eliminate existing disadvantages (cf. Art. 4 Bavarian Higher Education Act).

Faculty Women's Representative

The Faculty Women's Representatives are responsible for faculty-specific matters. At least one women's representative and up to two deputies are elected in each faculty. The students also provide a representative. If necessary, the faculty women's representatives advise students and academic staff of their faculty.

More information & contact
Women's Representative and Gender Equality Service Centre website

Gender Equality Service Centre

The Gender Equality Service Centre supports the work of the Women's Representative with a wide range of advice for all university members as well as with offers, announcements and information for various target groups.

Offers for students

• Initial contact, counselling and support on the topics of gender equality, equal opportunities policy, women in committees, women in STEM fields
• Initial contact and counselling in cases of sexual harassment and sexualised discrimination
  
• Information and counselling on early name and gender change for trans* and inter* students
  
• Information on equality-related indicators, equality measures and gender-sensitive language
  
• Application for funds from the budget for innovative gender equality measures
  
• Networking with the Gender, Queer, Intersectionality Diversity Studies Network (GeQuInDi)
  
• Seminar and event programme for female students of STEM subjects interested in doctoral studies
  

Further information & contact
Gender Equality Service Centre website

AK Queer

AK Queer is a working group of the Student Parliament. It organises a cultural programme and networking opportunities for queer persons and represents queer issues in university politics. The AK understands "queer" to include all aspects of being lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and/or intersex.

Here students can

• contribute and realise their ideas
  
• actively participate in organising events and workshops
  
• get to know other people and exchange ideas at a bi-weekly open regulars' table.
  

More info & contact
AK Queer on Instagram and Facebook.

Psychological Counselling

The psychological counselling service of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken

• is free of charge, unbureaucratic and bound to secrecy
• supports you in finding orientation, decisions and solutions
• refers you to suitable specialist agencies if requested.
  

Individual conversations
for example on the following topics:

• Personal stress, crises and conflict situations
  
• Coping with stress, exam nerves, feeling overwhelmed
• Difficulties with detachment, reorientation, settling in
• Conflicts in family, partnership, interpersonal relationships
• Psychosomatic complaints, depression, anxiety, addiction
• Studying with disabilities
  
• Sexual harassment
• Educational counselling.
  

Group offers
on relaxation techniques, stress management, dealing with depressive symptoms, emotion regulation and other mental health issues.

More Information & Contact
"Psychologische Beratung" pages of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken (German only)

University Health Management

The University Health Management has set itself the goal of enabling healthy living, working and studying at the University of Bayreuth. Our work is based on a comprehensive understanding of health, which includes physical, mental, social and ecological health. Services for students include:

Balance, regeneration, exercise

• Mental health - online information centre with book, video, podcast recommendations, etc.
  
• UGM@Home - suggestions for more exercise and relaxation in your home office
• Campus Aktiv Pfad - Exercise trail on campus
• BeWeg - route network with various alternative routes on campus for more everyday exercise
• Active Offices and Walkolutions - workstations that promote movement for a break from sitting in the library
• Active breaks in lectures
• Flex your Mind - concentration and movement exercises for students in the library
  

Participation, networking, getting together

• Don't feel like exercising alone? Find training and exercise partners
  
• Create YOUR Campus - Design your campus with your ideas!  
  

More information & contact
Pages "Für Studierende" of the University Health Management (German only)

Addiction Prevention Officer

Addictions of a substance-related and non-substance-related nature can put your studies at risk. The Addiction Prevention Officer supports affected students and those seeking help with questions about addictive behaviour, e.g.

• Alcohol, drug and medication abuse/dependence,
• gambling addiction, as well as
• related areas such as eating disorders.

Counselling

• is free of charge, unbureaucratic and subject confidentiality
• assists with orientation and obtaining information
• refers to appropriate specialised agencies if requested.

Please note that no therapy can be provided.

Contact information
on the "Organization" page of the University of Bayreuth

Welcome Services for international students

The Welcome Services of the International Office offer international students comprehensive support before, during and after their stay, including the following topics:

• Entry and visa,
  
• enrolment, language and orientation courses,
• dealing with the authorities, finding accommodation, insurance issues
  
• orientation and leisure activities, networking with other students
  
• other services offered by the university.
  

More information & contact
Pages of the Welcome Services for International Students of the International Office

Welcome Services for Refugees

The Welcome Services of the International Office offer advice, guidance and support to refugees.

Services

• Language courses
  
• Preparatory courses for university studies
• Labour market preparation workshops
• Further vocational qualification
• Support services for traumatised persons (in cooperation with the Psychological Counselling Service, SWO)
• Buddy programme
• Language tandem offers (in cooperation with the Language Centre)
• Intercultural excursions throughout the country.
  

Support with

• Application and enrolment
  
• Asylum and residence law issues
• Opportunities for study and research funding
• Legal issues (with Law & Legal e.V.)
• Career planning (application, apprenticeship, career entry)
  

More Information & Contact
Pages of the Welcome Services for Refugees of the International Office

Erasmus Student Network Bayreuth

The Erasmus Student Network is a student organisation at the University of Bayreuth and a member of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), one of the largest interdisciplinary student organisations in Europe.

Goal
The aim of the network is

• to promote the integration of international students
  
• to introduce them to life and culture in Germany, and
  
• to make their stay with us an unforgettable experience.
  

Programme
Every semester, an extensive programme is organised, consisting of various events, parties and excursions. In the spirit of promoting intercultural contact, Germans are equally welcome at all events. Permanent offers include a buddy programme and a tandem programme.

More information & contact
Erasmus Student Network Bayreuth website

Refugee Law Clinics by Law & Legal e.V.

Law & Legal e.V. is a student-run initiative that offers free legal counselling to refugees in the areas of asylum, aliens and residence law, as well as in civil law issues and social law.

Goal
The aim of Law & Legal is to impart knowledge about asylum, aliens and residence law and at the same time to offer free and competent legal advice in Bayreuth and the surrounding area.

Services

• General information on the asylum procedure,
• counselling on residence prospects,
• information on family reunification,
• help with problems with work permits or training,
• support in dealing with the authorities and dealing with notifications
• counselling on civil law matters, e.g. problems with tenancy agreements or employment contracts.

More information & contact
"Refugee Law Clinics" page of Law & Legal e.V.

Room of Silence

The Room of Silence is a place of retreat on the university campus. It offers the opportunity for prayer and meditation, but also for moments of inactivity in a relaxed atmosphere.

More information
"Raum der Stille" page of the University Health Management (German only)

Consideration of religious holidays and rest periods for examination dates

The University of Bayreuth does its best to take religious holidays and rest periods into account for examination dates on a case-by-case basis.

More information
General information on this subject is available from the Diversity Service Centre. Applications must be submitted to the relevant examination office.

Intersectionality Studies and Diversity Competences

This supplementary study programme provides basic skills and knowledge to recognise the complexity of power structures and dominance relations. Strategies for overcoming discrimination and for inclusion are taught. The spectrum of these competences enriches professional profiles in diverse occupational fields in human resources and corporate management, education, media as well as in all fields of research.

Morre information
Intersectionality Studies and Diversity Competences website

Courses in the field of Gender, Queer, Intersectionality and Diversity Studies

Every semester, the GeQuInDi network compiles an overview of all courses in Gender, Queer, Intersectionality and Diversity Studies.

More information
Overview of courses on the pages of the network "Gender, Queer, Intersectionality and Diversity Studies

Women in Philosophy Bayreuth

Women in Philosophy promotes the visibility of women philosophers and honours their contribution to the discipline with various event series and a reading circle.

More information
Women in Philosophy website