BA in Religious Studies
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,100 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch I EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** for Non-EU|for EU/EEA EUR 2,530
Introduction
How do religions come into existence? How do they affect people and societies? What role does religion play in various cultures and conflicts?
Religion is an important factor in many national and international social themes. Sometimes this is obvious, especially when we read news about religious radicalization. Other times, it is much less obvious and we are not as aware of the influence religion has in social phenomena, such as in cases of sexual health or climate change. Worldwide, there are many conflicts, sensitivities, and political discussions in which religion plays a role. Religious Studies is thus a very topical social degree program.
Within the Religious Studies program, you will examine how we live and the prominent role religion plays in people's lives. You will study people's behavior, thinking, and learning. In class, you will not debate to what extent religion is 'true', but rather, how religion affects people's lives and what people do with it.
During your studies, you will deepen your knowledge of various aspects of the major religions in the world (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism). Because there are so many important factors in studying religion in relation to people and society, you will become a broadly trained social scientist.
Why study this program in Groningen?
- best BA Religious Studies program in The Netherlands, at top 100 universities;
- taught entirely in English;
- a unique combination of anthropology, sociology, psychology, (art) history, political science, philosophy, and ethics.
- international staff and international classroom;
- small classes with intensive supervision;
- the program relates the latest research and theories to current developments;
- taught at non-denominational university;
- Groningen is a vibrant yet safe place to live.
Curriculum
Year 1
In the first year, you will study the great world religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism). You will consider the historical origin of these religions and their modern-day manifestations. You will be introduced to various approaches to the study of religion, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy. You will address questions such as: What is a religious experience? What are the claims to truth made by religions?
Courses
- Concepts and Methods 1 (7.5 EC)
- Judaism (7.5 EC)
- Anthropology of Religion (7.5 EC)
- Hinduism and Buddhism (7.5 EC)
- Christianity (7.5 EC)
- Psychology and Sociology of Religion (7.5 EC)
- Islam (7.5 EC)
- Religion and Philosophy (7.5 EC)
Year 2
In the second year you will learn to use different perspectives to analyze religious expressions โ texts, rituals, and visual art โ and place them in their cultural context. In addition, you will follow lectures on the social impact of religion. What influence does religion have on a secular society? What media do religious groups use to promote their image? Is the role of religion in politics different in the West than in the East? What is the position of women in a migrant community?
Courses
- Concepts and Methods 2 (7.5 EC)
- Rituals in Theory and Practice (7.5 EC)
- The Sacred Image (7.5 EC)
- The Text Awakens (7.5 EC)
- Religion, Media and Popular Culture (7.5 EC)
- Religion and Politics (7.5 EC)
- Ethics and Secularity (7.5 EC)
- Religion, Diversity and Identity (7.5 EC)
Year 3
In the third year, you can follow course units from other degree programs, study for six months abroad, or follow a placement. You will also conduct research within your chosen specialization, for example among immigrants: Do they experience their religion differently in their new homeland? You will report on your research in your Bachelor's thesis
Courses
- Climate Change, End Times and Sustainable Futures (7.5 EC, optional)
- Optional module (7.5 EC, optional)
- Quranic Arabic 1 (7.5 EC, optional)
- Spirituality and Secular Religion (7.5 EC, optional)
- University Minor (15 EC, optional)
- Minor Spiritual Care (Dutch only) (30 EC, optional)
- Law and Religion (7.5 EC, optional)
- Optional Module (7.5 EC, optional)
- Quranic Arabic 2 (7.5 EC, optional)
- Religion, Space and Place (7.5 EC, optional)
- Specialization 1: Lived Religion (15 EC, optional)
- Specialization 2: Cultural Impact of Religion (15 EC, optional)
- Bachelor Thesis (10 EC)
- Thesis Seminar (5 EC)
Study load
40 hours of class and self-study per week on average
1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains 60 ECTS. In the first year, you will have at least 12 hrs. of lessons per week at the Faculty, the rest of the hours is reserved for the preparation of the classes.
Curriculum
In the first year, you will study the great world religions and consider the historical origin of these religions and their modern-day manifestations. You will be introduced to various approaches to the study of religion. In the second year, you will learn to use different perspectives to analyze religious expressions. In the third year, you can shape your own program.
Program options
University of Groningen Honours College (honors program)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
- For an average of 20 weeks
- Maximum of 30 EC
We have various exchange contracts with universities both inside and outside Europe, enabling students to follow part of their degree program at a foreign university. Another option is to take an internship or to do part of the research work abroad.
Admissions
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
If you complete a follow-on Master's degree after your Bachelor's degree, you increase your chances on the job market. If you choose a Master's program at our Faculty, you will do a placement at an organization, institute, or company that is involved in religion and culture. Most of our graduates end up in one of seven clear job profiles after gaining a Master's degree:
- Care
- Policy & Management
- Education
- Academia
- Church
- Culture
- Media
Below you will find a list of the jobs held by our alumni.
- Care: spiritual carer at a care institution, independent therapist.
- Policy & Management: policy officer/advisor with a government institution, cultural institution or political party, staff member/advisor for an aid organization, embassy staff, security advisor to the military, etc.
- Education: religious studies teacher, education officer.
- Academia: researcher at a university or research institute.
- Culture: employee at the museum
- Media: journalist, editor.
In addition, a significant number of our graduates are self-employed in one of these sectors.
Job examples
Religion and World-Views Teacher
With a minor in education, you can start as a teacher in Religion and World-Views in secondary schools directly after gaining your BA degree.