M.A. in Theology and Religious Studies
Amsterdam, Netherlands
MA
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
Dutch, English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,209 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA students: April 1 | EU/EAA students: June 1
** EU students: €2,209 per year | non-EU students: €8,310 per year
Key Summary
About: This one-year MA in Theology and Religious Studies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers four tracks: Interreligious Studies (English), Peace, Trauma, and Religion (English), Spiritual Care (Dutch), and Exploring a Discipline (English) for specialisations like Buddhism, Islam in the West, Biblical Studies, or Digital Humanities. The program examines interreligious cooperation, peace and conflict studies, and spiritual and pastoral care in healthcare, prisons, and the military.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as care providers, chaplains, peace and conflict practitioners, advisors on religious diversity, or staff in religious institutions and faith communities. Typical roles include healthcare chaplaincy, correctional and military spiritual support, mediation, policy, interfaith coordination, research, education, community engagement, and consultancy on diversity and inclusion, and cultural or heritage organisations abroad.
This one-year Master's program in Theology and Religious Studies focuses on different professional fields, and you can choose between four different tracks:
- Interreligious Studies (this track is offered in English), looks at interreligious cooperation and communication;
- Peace, Trauma, and Religion (this track is offered in English), where you will study peace and conflict studies;
- Spiritual Care (this track is offered in Dutch), where you will learn about spiritual care in healthcare institutions, prisons, and the military;
- Exploring a Discipline (this track is offered in English), which allows you to explore one particular discipline such as Buddhism, Islam in the West, Biblical Studies, or Digital Humanities.
Discover your Theology and Religious Studies program
With a Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies, you can take up several roles in society. You could become a care provider or assist in peace processes. You could work in an advisory capacity for an organization, institution, or company, supporting cooperation between employees with differing world views or religions. Alternatively, with a specialization in a particular religious discipline, you could work within a religious institution or faith community.
The one-year Master's degree program in Theology & Religious Studies focuses on specific professional fields. You will be prepared for a professional career within or outside religious institutions. Each specialization focuses on their own field.
Interreligious Studies
Globalization has given rise to an even greater need for religious dialogue in all areas of society, from politics and business to education and daily life. Increasing mobility, changing ways of communication, and flows of migrants have all made the world a smaller place – and the need for social cohesion greater than ever. This track will give you the knowledge and skills you need to help build bridges between people from different faith traditions and so contribute to that improved social cohesion. If you want to become part of that, this track might be for you.
Peace, Trauma, and Religion
Religion is often misused to incite violent conflicts, but at the same time, it is one of the strongest ethical and spiritual resources for conflict resolution and transitional justice. This Master’s program explores and teaches the knowledge, skills, and insights you will need for a career in the growing field of peace and conflict studies.
Exploring a Discipline
This track offers you a tailor-made opportunity to deepen your knowledge of one particular topic, or discipline, within theology and religious studies. You can pursue a thematic or disciplinary focus of your own choice; the faculty’s research centers offer various specializations and the track’s coordinator is happy to advise you personally concerning your options. Your own interests, passion, and curiosity are the points of departure for this track.
For more information about our (upcoming) open days and webinars please visit us