Last year, I achieved one of the proudest milestones of my life: completing my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Bayreuth. For those unfamiliar, the University of Bayreuth is nestled in the charming town of Bayreuth, Bavaria, home to about 13,000 students. Known for its interdisciplinary approach, it’s especially renowned for programs in economics, law, environmental science, and the arts. A little fun fact: Bayreuth is also famous for its annual Wagner Festival.
Why Bavaria?
Bavaria is more than just breathtaking landscapes, fairy-tale castles, and world-famous beer festivals—it’s also home to one of the most prestigious education systems in Germany. Bavarian universities consistently rank among the best in the country, and for good reason.
For international students, getting into a German university can be an uphill battle. Many face significant challenges in having their previous academic qualifications recognized. Because of this, not all international students make it to the starting line—especially for Bachelor’s programs, which often have stricter entry requirements. Luckily, this wasn’t a hurdle for me since I finished school in Germany.
Studying at the University of Bayreuth
One of the reasons German universities maintain such high standards is their commitment to ensuring quality. Since state universities in Germany are practically free, the doors are open to a wide range of students. However, not everyone gets to cross the finish line. At my university, it was completely normal for 20–45% of students to fail their exams, especially in foundational courses like Statistics, Maths, Accounting etc. A single lecture could sometimes have over 100 densely packed slides, and every detail was fair game for the exams. With no midterms in most courses, your entire grade often depended on one final exam. The silver lining? You always had the chance to retake the exam, which was a relief for many.
When it came to specialization, I focused on Marketing and Service Management. These courses were less challenging and incredibly rewarding. While most exams were heavily theoretical, there were occasional opportunities to apply what we learned. One standout moment was a Social Media Marketing course taught by a guest professor from London, where we analyzed a local sports club’s Instagram presence and created a detailed improvement plan.
Photo: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de
Working While Studying
Balancing university and work was a significant part of my journey. During my studies, I worked three part-time jobs, clocking 15 to 20 hours per week on average. Each role taught me something valuable and contributed to my growth, both professionally and personally.
My first job was as a receptionist. It was ideal in some ways because I worked evenings and nights only, so I didn’t miss any classes. However, the late shifts were tough—I finished work at 3 or 4 a.m., and if I had an 8 a.m. course the next day, it was a real test of endurance (and caffeine tolerance).
The next two jobs were in HR and Communications, roles that gave me hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of my field. These jobs were more demanding, as they required me to work regular hours during the week. Adjusting to a new job was particularly challenging; during the first months, I found it hard to study after work because I was simply too exhausted.
Although juggling work and study meant my degree would take longer to complete, I knew the experience was essential. A degree alone wouldn’t be enough – I wanted to develop practical skills and a solid work ethic.
Lessons Learned
One of the biggest lessons I took away from university is that if you truly want something, you’ll find a way to make it happen.
When I struggled with a challenging Microeconomics class, I exhausted every option to find help—checking with the Fachschaft (Student council), searching online for tutors, and even asking strangers in classes. Eventually, my persistence paid off, and I asked a guy in a language class, someone I hadn’t spoken to before. Not only did he help me succeed, but we also became good friends. This experience showed me that with determination and resourcefulness, there’s always a way to overcome obstacles.
What I’ll Miss
As much as I complained about the workload, there are so many things I’ll miss:
- The surprisingly good and cheap food from the Mensa (cafeteria). Seriously, coffee and cake for just €2.10
- Preparing for tests in the library—equal parts productivity and procrastination
- Long coffee breaks with friends
- Some truly inspiring professors who made even the driest subjects interesting
Graduating from the University of Bayreuth was a tough but rewarding experience. It taught me resilience, creativity, and the value of a well-placed coffee break. Now, I’m excited to take the next step in my journey—but I’ll always look back fondly on my time in Bayreuth.
